FDA Lifts Ban on Blood Donations from Gay and Bisexual Men
On April 4, the FDA announced a relaxing of its restrictions on men who have sex with men donating blood, which previously called for 12 months of abstinence before donation. A controversial policy that has been in place for decades, the relaxing—which temporarily revised restrictions to three months—has drawn attention to the subject and summoned calls for a permanent lifting of the rules. On April 4, the FDA announced a relaxing of its restrictions on men who have sex with men donating blood, which previously called for 12 months of abstinence before donation. A controversial policy that has been in place for decades, the relaxing—which temporarily revised restrictions to three months—has drawn attention to the subject and summoned calls for a permanent lifting of the rules altogether. 
Blood Donation Laws for Gay and Bisexual Men
In , the F.D.A. finally lifted the ban, but required men who sleep with men to refrain from sexual contact for three months prior to donating blood. On May 11, , the U. Food and Drug Association FDA lifted the discriminatory ban that prohibited gay and bisexual men from donating blood.
Why risk behaviors, not orientation, should decide who gives
For nearly four decades, gay men have been excluded from the blood donation process. These stark restrictions, as well as discriminatory and humiliating experiences with health care providers more. It can not be underestimated just how important blood is for effective healthcare provision. Of the numerous treatments people rely on for their wellbeing, blood is critical for as many as 22 different treatments, including surgery, child-birth, emergencies, end-of-life care, and treatments for various diseases. What's to blame for the blood shortage? Refusing gay men
Gay and bisexual men face a time-based ban on giving blood. But fairer practices could help save over a million people a year without the risk of spreading HIV. Many people need blood transfusions—in fact, the American Red Cross estimates that someone in the U. And more than half of all centers have less than a three-day stockpile for times of crisis. A New Era Begins For Blood Donation By Gay Men
Two doctors say the blood shortage is due in part to unnecessarily tough donation restrictions on gay men. Here’s what needs to change. The pandemic caused a drop in donations and now things have reached a crisis level. But despite the deep need for more people to donate blood and plasma , mind you , men who have sex with men MSM are still subject to a three month period of celibacy before they donate. 
Why Are Gay Men Banned From Donating Blood?
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Countries around the world are reviewing restrictions on blood donations by gay and bisexual men imposed during the s HIV/AIDS crisis, with some removing. .
Why are we still rejecting blood donations from gay men?
The restrictions on gay and bisexual men donating blood have a direct impact on the availability of blood for those in need. The blood supply is constantly in need of replenishment, and excluding a significant portion of the population from donating unnecessarily limits the number of donors. . 
What are the blood donation rules globally for gay and
Expanding the number of potential blood donors to groups who have historically been deferred – such as men who have sex with men (MSM) – will not only create a fairer and more inclusive blood. .