In the wake of France’s blood donation policy change, which lifts the lifelong donation ban for men who have sex with men (MSM), the United States must address the issue. Like France, prior to November 4, 2015, the United States has a lifelong blood donation ban for MSM. This is a result of an archaic belief that MSM inherently have HIV/AIDS.
While the Red Cross is the one that collects blood donation, the FDA implements the ban. We must work together to pressure both agencies to end this regulation.
While MSM are the largest community impacted by HIV/AIDS, 12% of MSM have HIV/AIDS (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, CDC), leaving 88% of the community banned as a result of a sweeping generalization.
This is a civil rights issues that we cannot continue to ignore.