LGBTQ: 4 Things to Know About the FDA Blood Donation Changes
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced significant changes to its donation policy, allowing gay and bisexual men or men who have sex with men (MSM) to donate blood.
For decades, restrictions prevented MSM from donating, citing concerns that their blood could lead to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Although blood is screened for disease and infections before use, virtually all gay and bisexual men were still prohibited from donating.
Under updated FDA guidelines, MSM in monogamous relationships will not need to abstain from sex before giving blood. All donors will be asked the same set of questions under the new risk-based policy, regardless of how they identify.
