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The Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced Thursday that blood donors would not be assessed by their sexual orientation, however relatively by particular person questions to find out danger components and doable publicity to HIV/AIDS.
“These questions would be the similar for each donor, no matter sexual orientation, intercourse or gender,” the FDA mentioned. “Blood institutions might now implement these suggestions by revising their donor historical past questionnaires and procedures.”
The transfer started in January, when the FDA first proposed taking out focusing on males who’ve intercourse with males and as an alternative asking all donors about new or a number of intercourse companions within the final three months and their historical past of anal intercourse within the final three months. Potential donors who’re on PrEP would even be exempt from donating blood, as “the out there knowledge show that their use might delay detection of HIV.”
“The implementation of those suggestions will symbolize a major milestone for the company and the LGBTQI+ group,” mentioned Dr. Peter Marks, the director of the FDA’s Heart for Biologics Analysis and Analysis.
Because of the AIDS disaster, the FDA put a lifetime ban on homosexual and bisexual males from donating blood in 1983. In 2015, the company relaxed the foundations and as an alternative required that males who’ve intercourse with males abstain from intercourse for one yr earlier than donating. This time interval was shortened to a few months in 2020. Within the days following the Pulse capturing in Orlando that killed 49 individuals, rumors circulated that the foundations had been lifted — nevertheless, the FDA confirmed that no, homosexual and bisexual males had been nonetheless unable to donate blood to those that wanted it.
On Thursday, the Congressional Equality Caucus applauded the FDA’s replace for blood donors.
“For much too lengthy, the federal authorities used outdated and unscientific fears to find out who can and can’t give blood,” Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Pocan mentioned in an announcement. “This suggestion aligns with the LGBTQI+ group’s long-term request for individualized risk-based assessments.”
Story courtesy of South Florida Homosexual Information by way of the Nationwide LGBTQ Media Affiliation. The Nationwide LGBTQ Media Affiliation represents 13 legacy publications in main markets throughout the nation with a collective readership of greater than 400K in print and greater than 1 million + on-line. Be taught extra right here: https://nationallgbtmediaassociation.com/
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