WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a groundbreaking move, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday that it has officially lifted the long-standing restrictions on blood donations by gay and bisexual men. This policy, which critics deemed discriminatory, has been a topic of debate for years.
The FDA’s updated guidelines now recommend a set of “individual risk-based questions” that will be the same for all blood donors, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender, or sex. Under the new rules, individuals who have engaged in anal sex with a new partner or multiple partners within the last three months will be asked to wait before donating blood.
Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, hailed these changes as a significant milestone for both the agency and the LGBTQ+ community. The revised guidelines mean that most gay and bisexual men in monogamous relationships will no longer have to abstain from sexual activity in order to donate blood.
The previous FDA guidelines, last updated in 2020, required a three-month deferral period for men who have sex with men before they were eligible to donate blood. These restrictions, which originated during the early days of the AIDS epidemic to safeguard against HIV transmission, had been gradually relaxed over time but still faced criticism.
While the FDA’s decision expands the pool of potential blood donors, the agency emphasizes that it will continue to prioritize the safety of the blood supply through ongoing monitoring and testing.
Advocacy groups, medical organizations, and blood banks have largely welcomed the updated guidelines. Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers, applauded the shift toward individual donor assessments, highlighting the importance of fair treatment and maintaining the safety of the blood supply.
Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, expressed approval of the FDA’s decision, calling it a step toward ending a dark and discriminatory past rooted in fear and homophobia. However, Ellis also pointed out that there is still a barrier for LGBTQ+ individuals on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an FDA-approved drug that prevents HIV transmission, who may wish to donate blood. GLAAD urges the FDA to prioritize scientific evidence and treat all blood donors equally.
With these new guidelines, the FDA takes a significant stride in rectifying a longstanding issue and addressing concerns of discrimination, marking a positive shift toward inclusivity and fairness in blood donation practices.