Change FDA regulations to hold gay men and women to the same standards as others for blood donation eligibility

Currently, the FDA prohibits men who have engaged in sexual activity with other men in the past year from donating blood. The concern is that sexually active gay men will transmit the HIV/AIDS virus through blood donations. However, the FDA mandated blood donor questionnaire, given to every donor before every donation, already asks about sexual activity that could potentially result in exposure to the HIV/AIDS virus, regardless of sexual orientation. Additionally, HIV\AIDS testing procedures are available that will return a result in as little as 30 minutes, and in no more than a few days. Given the need for reliable blood supplies, especially with the emergence of bloodborne threats such as Zika, the standards should be revised to not eliminate an entire class of potential donors.