In a significant and long-awaited move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is paving the way for gay and bi men to donate blood. This decision marks a turning point in the history of blood donations, as the FDA transitions from exclusionary policies to risk-based rules for blood donation.
A Global Approach to Blood Donation
The FDA has now finalized its recommendations, drawing inspiration from the U.K., Canada, and France’s risk-based approach. The new policies aim to create an inclusive blood donation landscape, focusing not on sexual orientation but the number of sexual partners a potential donor has had in the previous three months. This shift seeks to remove barriers for gay and bi men and women who have engaged in sexual activities with bi men.
A History of Exclusion and Progress
Since 1983, the FDA had placed a ban on blood donations from men who had engaged in sex with another man post-1977. This ban extended to women who had been sexually active with a man who had also had sex with another man. However, over the years, the restrictions have gradually lessened. By 2015, the FDA had reduced the lifetime ban to a 12-month deferral period. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prompted a further reduction of the deferral period to three months in 2020, due to a significant shortage of blood donations.
Shifting the Focus
The updated approach will question potential donors about the number of sexual partners or any new sexual partners they have had in the past three months. This change applies to all individuals, regardless of gender. However, those taking PrEP will remain ineligible for blood donation, despite the routine HIV tests performed by blood banks.
Moving Forward Together
The long-fought advocacy of LGBTQ+ organizations, the American Medical Association, and the American Red Cross has finally paid off. These changes signify a substantial leap forward in advancing science over stigma. However, the continued ban on donations from PrEP users invites criticism for perpetuating stigma around these individuals.
The proposed changes are now open to public scrutiny, with a 60-day comment period. If approved, gay and bi men could potentially start donating blood in the U.S. by the end of the year, marking an important milestone for the agency and the LGBTQ+ community.