Gay and bisexual men cannot donate blood. It does not matter how great the need might be, they simply cannot donate. The 1985 ban here in the US declares that any man who has had sex with another man even once since 1977 cannot give blood - at all. I've written about this about a dozen times here. Occasionally I might get a comment. It's time we got more than that! We need this policy changed.
There may have been very good reason originally. The spread of HIV was of concern and certainly men who had sex with men were among the largest group spreading HIV. That was before testing got as good as it is today. That was before the screening process was as detailed as it can be now. There may have once been good reason, but there no longer is!
Last week the mayor of Campbell, CA Evan Low organized a blood drive in his city, but when he went there to donate, he was barred from giving his blood. He can organize a drive, but he cannot donate. Why? Because he was honest on the questionnaire when asked if he ever had sex with another man. Now if Mayor Low had lied and said no to that question, he likely would have been eligible. See what I mean here? The policy makes no sense. It is discriminatory and it relies on honest answers to questions.
Mayor Low is now publicly calling for an end to this ban. I have been saying this for years and others have agreed. What do YOU think?
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