F.D.A. Takes Steps to End Discrimination Against Gay

In a historic move, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday, May 9th, 2023, that it would take steps to end discrimination against gay and bisexual blood donors. The move comes after years of advocacy from LGBTQ+ rights groups and medical professionals, who have argued that the FDA’s policy was discriminatory and based on outdated stereotypes.

Under the previous policy, gay and bisexual men were required to be celibate for 12 months before they were eligible to donate blood. This policy was implemented during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, when the disease was widely misunderstood and stigmatized. However, advances in testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS have made the policy increasingly unnecessary and harmful.

The FDA’s new policy will significantly reduce the deferral period for gay and bisexual blood donors. Under the new policy, gay and bisexual men will be eligible to donate blood if they have been celibate for only three months. This change brings the policy in line with those for other groups considered to be at risk for transmitting blood-borne diseases, such as people who have recently received tattoos or traveled to certain parts of the world.

The FDA’s decision has been widely praised by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and medical professionals, who have long argued that the previous policy was discriminatory and based on outdated stereotypes. GLAAD, a leading LGBTQ+ rights organization, released a statement calling the change “a significant step forward for all blood donors, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The change in policy is also expected to significantly increase the number of blood donations from gay and bisexual men, who have historically been unable to donate due to the restrictive policy. According to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA, if the deferral period were reduced to three months, an estimated 360,600 additional men would be eligible to donate blood each year, potentially increasing the nation’s blood supply by over 615,000 pints.

Despite the progress represented by the FDA’s decision, some advocates argue that the new policy does not go far enough and that the three-month deferral period is still discriminatory and based on outdated stereotypes. They argue that the policy should be based on individual risk factors rather than broad categories of people. Others have called for a complete elimination of the deferral period, pointing out that there are still many groups at high risk for HIV/AIDS who are not subject to any deferral period at all.

In announcing the new policy, the FDA acknowledged the importance of science-based policies that prioritize safety and inclusivity. In a statement, the agency said, “We recognize the critical role that blood donations play in our nation’s healthcare system, and we are committed to ensuring that all eligible individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, have the opportunity to donate blood.”

The FDA’s decision is a significant step forward for the LGBTQ+ community and marks a long-overdue recognition of the importance of science-based policies that prioritize safety and inclusivity. As we continue to fight for equality and justice for all, it is important to celebrate victories like this and to continue pushing for progress in all areas of society.