Health department revisits gay blood donor ban

The U.S. department of Health and Human Services is once again looking at changing its policy that bans men who have sex with men from donating blood.

The HHS described the current policy as "suboptimal" and asked a group of experts, known as the Blood, Organ, and Tissue Safety Working Group, to look into ways of changing it. As it stands, any man who had sex with another man since 1977 cannot donate blood. A new policy could allow certain gay or bisexual men, possibly those who have abstained from homosexual sex for a certain time, to donate.

“This announcement by HHS means we’re moving in the direction of finally ending this antiquated and discriminatory policy,” Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., told the National Journal. “Senator [John] Kerry [D-Mass.] and I will continue to push for a behavior-based screening process both in the name of fairness and a safer blood supply.”

(Via the Advocate)

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