May 4, 2009

FDA Urged to Lift “Gay Ban” on Blood Donations

California State Assembly member Tom Ammiano (D–San Francisco) hopes a new Assembly resolution will encourage the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to end a federal policy that prohibits men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood, Capitol Weekly reports.

According to the FDA, the ban was created in 1985 because MSM were deemed a high-risk group for HIV infection. Ammiano believes the policy is discriminatory and assumes that heterosexual donors do not share the same HIV risk as MSM.

In response to what he calls the “gay ban,” Ammiano said, “I understand the hysteria. I lost a lot of friends [to HIV] and still am. But, now that this has been documented and disproved, this ban needs to be lifted.”

Supporters of the resolution, AJR 13, include the American Red Cross, America’s Blood Centers and the American Association for Blood Banks.

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Previous Comments:

Lewis, Nampa, ID, 2009-07-01 19:55:44
I think it is dumb because I am not even gay and my step-brother rapped me when I was 8yrs old and I cant donate blood because of it I just tried today it is July 1, 2009 wtf is with this s**t i thought ppl were done with crap like that so so all those ppl out there I'm going to try and get a really good federal lawyer and get it lifted it is not my fault my step brother did that. (p.s. my step brother got away with it do to duress)

shawni, atlantic city, 2009-05-06 09:22:21
didnt even know there was a ban on blood donations.....in 2009!!!wow! thats just crazy...and so sad.

Kirk, Dallas, 2009-05-05 17:32:48
I applaud the efforts to allow MSM to give blood. When I was HIV- I donated blood. I also grieve that I am not able to do so anymore but there is good reason. Other gay men who are negative, should be allowed to donate. Yes, it could detect HIV+ people who are unaware. Thanks.

Ellen, Grand Rapids, MI, 2009-05-05 16:40:03
This policy is discriminatory and it's great to see it finally being challenged. In addition to the gay ban, all policies intended to exclude traditionally at-risk groups should be reviewed. What benefit could these policies possibly serve in light of universal donation screening?

Reency, , 2009-05-05 12:10:57
My ex-husband is gay. He told me that many gay men use the blood donations as a way of checking to see if they are HIV+ because the blood is tested, not to mention that they are paid for it. It is a better alternative for them than to go get tested and have to pay for the test. I personally think the ban is wise.

Ronald, Los Angeles, 2009-05-05 11:08:50
All blood is supposed to be tested for HIV before giving anyone a transfusion. What happened in the 1990's before the HIV meds became available is understandable but those who are NOT HIV positive should not be prevented from donating blood plasma to those in need. With HIV rate climbing rapidly among African-Americans and other who are heterosexual who donate blood, why are they not listed on this ban list? Discrimination from those who actually know donated blood is tested

Rick, , 2009-05-05 09:58:35
This makes a lot of sense. I think it is obvious that the law needs to be written to exclude KNOWN HIV+ persons from donating blood -- and it is all tested anyway -- but not to simply make a ban on the "MSM" group. As we all know HIV is being carried (and therefore possibly transmitted) through blood products) among ALL people. Everyone should be under the scrutiny of the blood banks, not simply gays.

lynn, SE Missouri, 2009-05-05 09:30:27
As a heterosexual man that got HIV from a blood transfusion in 1991, I still support this. Anything that reduces the public stigma attached to being HIV positive is a plus. It would also aid in further early detection to allow help to be provided to yet undetected HIV individuals. In a way I grieve over the fact I cannot give blood, even though I would like to , to help others. Gay men should not have this yoke forced around their necks either.