Together with the Human Rights Campaign, American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers and AABB, we ask that the federal government stop discriminating against gay men and allow them to give blood as is allowed by heterosexual men.
Beginning in 1983, the Food and Drug Administration prohibits gay men from giving blood. This rule is based on fears of AIDS, without regard to HIV screening. If a gay man has had sex with another man since 1977, even if only once and with a lifetime partner, he cannot give blood. A heterosexual man who has sex with a prostitute, perhaps repeatedly, needs to wait only a year before giving his blood.
Someone whose life is saved by a blood donation is not concerned whether their donor is gay or straight. Nor should this be a concern of the donation agency.