FDA relaxes blood donation guidelines for gay and bisexual
Learn about federal regulations related to blood donation by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Gender non-conforming (LGBTQ+) individuals. Thank you for your patience as we work to get this resolved. If you need immediate assistance, please contact us. LGBTQ+ Donors
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Thursday it had officially eliminated restrictions that had previously prohibited many blood donations by gay and bisexual men — a longstanding policy. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. As of Monday, new policies are in effect regarding who can donate blood. Gay, bisexual men can donate blood under updated screening
Can gay and bisexual men (MSM) donate blood? Yes. In May , the FDA issued revised donor deferral recommendations to include gender-inclusive, sexual behavior-based screening questions for all blood donors. Previously, men who have sex with men MSM were unable to donate blood. They would have to abstain from sex for 12 months to be eligible for donation. 
Blood Donation by Gay and Bisexual Men
The new FDA policy further ensures safety of the blood supply, treats all potential donors equally and enables more people the opportunity to donate blood. The FDA’s previous donor eligibility criteria based on sexual orientation, which made it challenging for gay and bisexual men to donate blood, has been eliminated. At Versiti, we believe that saving lives is a shared commitment. Thanks to new guidance from the U.
HRC
2. Can I donate blood if I’m in a relationship with multiple partners? The American Red Cross follows the FDA regulations for blood donation, including the screening guidelines about recent sexual activity, and they recognize that some people may be in sexual relationships with more than one steady partner. Men who have sex with men can now donate blood without being discriminated by their sexual orientation under the American Red Cross' updated screening process. Statistically, anal sex has a significantly higher chance of transmitting HIV than vaginal or oral sex, the FDA determined in making its decision. LGBTQ+ Blood Donors
In s, after falsely labeling HIV and AIDS “gay diseases,” the FDA banned lifetime blood donations for men who had sexual relations with another man since . 
Welcoming More Donors
I'm a gay or bisexual man who hasn't had sex with another man in more than three months. If it has been more than 3 months since your last sexual encounter with another man, you may be eligible to donate blood. .
Blood donation criteria
Can people belonging to LGBTQIA+ communities donate blood? Learn about what the current donation criteria say and the guideline changes that may occur in the future. .