FDA allowing gay men to donate blood for first time in 30 years

The Food and Drug Administration has repealed a 32-year-old ban on accepting blood donations from gay men, but only if the man donating hasn’t had sex in the last 12 months.

KESQ went to downtown Palm Springs to ask some local gay men how they feel about that.

“Good luck on that one, because that would never pan out, if you’re going to be celibate for a year, I don’t know too many men who would be that way,” said Steve Costlow of Palm Springs.

“You know you are judging somebody on a determination if they are having protected or unprotected sex, so I don’t think you can make a difference on the heterosexual community and the gay community, I just don’t think it’s right,” said Brandon Holland of Palm Springs.

“There is so much need for blood and so many people don’t even think about it, so any time we can get more people to donate blood, why not,” said Paul Hamel Palm Springs.

Medical professionals and LGBT rights activists told KESQ that even though this is isn’t a perfect scenario it is a step in the right direction.

“Whether you’re gay or heterosexual, I think the key focusing on behavior and what is risky behavior, and it doesn’t mater who you are or how you identify, it depends on your behavior. If you are engaging on behavior that is high risk then we need to have the technology in place to make sure that the blood supply is safe,” said Dr. Jill Gover, Director of Mental Health Services and the Center.

While the policy has been criticized by activists around the country, the FDA stance is in line that of other countries, including Australia and the U.K. The lifetime ban was put in place during the early HIV/Aids crisis. The policy shift was first announced late last year.

Do you think it’s fair to make gay men abstain from sex for a year to be allowed to give blood? Leave a comment below or tell Joe Galli on Facebook or Twitter…