LGBTQIA & Organ/Tissue Donation
His internal organs were transplanted, but his eyes went untouched because of an FDA rule that essentially bans sexually active gay men and boys from donating tissue. Because of her hero donor, Maqsuda can breathe again, and be the wife, mother, and career woman she loves to be. Everyone can sign up to be a donor. Gay and bisexual men can donate blood and organs but not
I can't donate blood. Is it the same for organs, eyes, and tissues? Organ and tissue donation are regulated by different federal standards. As of now, the FDA, which oversees blood and tissue donation, has regulations in place which can limit what can be donated by gay men. June 01, in About Donation. Donor registration is open to any one of any gender, gender identity or sexual orientation. LGBTQ? You can donate too!
All are welcome Age, race, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity do not prevent you from becoming an organ donor. Join us in breaking down myths and misconceptions about organ and tissue donation, ensuring everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, can make informed decisions about their health and the choice to become a donor. Everyone is encouraged to register their decision to become a donor! This is because organ donation is regulated differently than other types of donation. 
LGBTQ+ facts about organ, eye and tissue donation
Can someone who is gay be an organ donor? Yes. Organ donation policy is regulated by the U.S. department of Health and Human Services (HHS). A person’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression does NOT prevent that person from becoming an organ donor. Anyone who believes in donation is encouraged to register as a donor. Organ donation is a vital medical practice that saves lives by providing organs to individuals in need of transplants. While the same basic principles of saving lives apply, there are unique challenges, historical stigmas, and health disparities that make LGBTQ organ donation a crucial issue to address.
FAQs About LGBTQIA+
Get answers to your questions about organ, eye and tissue donation and the LGBTQIA+ community. You can also contact your Donate Life State Team Leader to learn about how you can get involved on a local level and see if Donate Life has a presence at local Pride and community events. This is a common misconception that is based on outdated information. In fact, anyone of any gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation is welcome to register to become a living donor.
Why Is LGBTQ Organ Donation Important?
The eligibility question most frequently concerns sexually active gay men or others who may have been told they cannot donate blood products. When it comes to LGBTQ+ organ donation, the criteria used to determine which organs can be donated are based on a person’s medical condition at the time of death and are not the same criteria used to determine organ donation eligibility for LGBTQ+. . FDA Maintains Discriminatory Rules on Donated Tissue for Gay
The idea that LGBTQ+ people cannot become donors may be rooted in the fact that for many years, gay men were not allowed to donate blood or organs because of the fear of HIV and AIDS. In , the FDA issued a lifetime blood-donation ban on sexually active gay men. After years of calls to change the policy, the ban was eliminated in . 
LGBTQ+ and Donation
Federal regulations prevent gay and bisexual men from donating tissue, such as corneas, ligaments and blood vessels. .