The American Pink Cross has formally ended its earlier ban on blood donations from males who’ve had intercourse with males (MSM). As a substitute, eligibility will now be decided based mostly on particular person danger components, following up to date steering from the FDA. The group now asks all potential blood donors the identical questions on eligibility, no matter their gender or sexual orientation.

Whereas the Pink Cross has eliminated particular limits for MSM donors, there’s nonetheless a three-month ready interval for people who’ve had anal intercourse to donate blood. The group may even proceed to say no donations from HIV-positive people, even when their viral load is undetectable. For extra disqualifying components, confer with the nonprofit’s full FAQ web page.

The FDA’s new coverage, introduced earlier this yr, is a long-awaited step ahead. Nevertheless, it nonetheless poses challenges for a lot of homosexual males. In accordance with Benjamin Mazer’s article in The Atlantic, even people who use condoms and usually check for sexually transmitted infections may nonetheless be excluded.

The Pink Cross has said in a press launch that it has been advocating for a extra inclusive blood donor coverage for a few years, aiming to make sure a secure and adequate blood provide for sufferers in want.

The earlier discriminatory apply of turning away donors based mostly on sexual desire was initially carried out to stop the unfold of HIV/AIDS. Nevertheless, it has been deemed more and more unreasonable, contemplating the enhancements in HIV an infection testing and the truth that the virus just isn’t solely transmitted between males.

Within the mid-Eighties, the FDA carried out new tips that indefinitely banned any man who had engaged in same-sex sexual exercise since 1977 from donating blood. Nevertheless, lately, the FDA has step by step decreased these bans, and as of now, the US is transferring nearer to becoming a member of the listing of nations that enable homosexual and bisexual males to donate blood with out restrictions.

The Pink Cross’ change in coverage is a results of the FDA’s up to date steering. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to confirm along with your native blood donation middle earlier than visiting, as not all facilities are affiliated with the Pink Cross. Contemplating the present blood scarcity, donating blood could make a major distinction.