In early March, the Food and Drug Administration heard testimony
from the American Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks and
America's Blood Centers that the ban on blood donations from men who
have had sex with men since 1977 should be lifted. Human Rights
Campaign President Joe Solmonese released the following statement:
"Twentieth century prejudice shouldn't keep us from 21st century health
standards. Our nation's leading blood services organizations agree that
there is no rational justification for treating gay and bisexual men
different than straight men. Given modern testing and the fact that
anyone can be vulnerable to infection, there is no medical or scientific
rationale for this discriminatory policy.
"Natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the threat of catastrophic
terrorist attack make our nation's need for a robust and safe blood
supply even more acute. The real public health threat is closing the
door on countless numbers of men who selflessly want to donate blood.
The Food and Drug Administration should heed the advice of the Red Cross
and other groups and put science and our nation's security over
misguided prejudice. Additionally, the American Red Cross, the American
Association of Blood Banks and America's Blood Centers should be
applauded for this fair-minded and scientific approach to ensuring a
stable and safe blood supply for those in need."
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