Blood donations new policy
Learn about federal regulations related to blood donation by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Gender non-conforming (LGBTQ+) individuals. Thanks to new federal guidelines finalized in May, gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships can now donate at many blood centers around the country without abstaining from sex. Bloodworks Northwest, where Smith works as a donor services supervisor, adopted the change on Dec.
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. It takes him on a trip down memory lane that isn't a good one. Everybody could donate blood, but I could not," he said. Gay, bisexual men can donate blood under updated screening
Thanks to new federal guidelines finalized in May, gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships can now donate at many blood centers around the country. Did you know that the FDA has made eligibility changes that promote fairness and inclusivity in the blood donation process while maintaining the safety of the blood supply? With this update, sexual orientation is no longer a consideration for donor eligibility. 
New FDA blood donation rules for gay men
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. With this update, the gender of a donor and their sexual partners will no longer be a consideration for donor eligibility. We Are Blood is dedicated to protecting the safety of the community blood supply and creating safe and inclusive spaces for our donor community.
Donate with Pride
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. 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. New FDA Eligibility Expansion
If you or your friends, family, or loved ones are currently deferred at We Are Blood for the donor eligibility criteria related to sexual history, please complete the Deferral Eligibility Change Request Form. Once the reentry request has been processed, they’ll be notified by We Are Blood when they can come in to attempt to donate. . 
LGBTQ+ Blood Donors
The implementation of the federal rule change will allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood for the first time since the HIV/AIDS epidemic. .
Blood Donation by Gay and Bisexual Men
Donor gender can also impact the level of hemoglobin required for a donor to safely donate blood. In absence of this information, blood centers would have to utilize the most conservative levels which would mean some donors that could safely donate blood would be unable to do so. .