Discriminatory Blood Donation Regulations Against Gay and Bisexual Men Pose an Additional Threat

By Katherine Wong

Orange County School of the Arts

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a nationwide blood shortage has become the recent cause of alarm. Prior to the pandemic, a lifetime ban that prevented gay and bisexual men from donating blood had been strictly enforced. In 2015, this ban was replaced with a one-year abstinence requirement. However, recently in April, blood donations were relaxed and allowed healthy LGBTQ+ men who abstain from sexual activity for three months to donate. 

This change in policies is a victory for many. Previously, officials cited concerns about HIV (which is seen more prevalently in gay and bisexual men), despite every blood and plasma donation being screened for HIV, to justify discriminatory regulations. This new development is not only a step towards equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community but will also benefit patients in need of a blood donation. Gay and bisexual men who have successfully recovered from COVID-19 have valuable antibodies in their plasma that could aid patients in hospitals on their way to recovery. 

However, homophobia still remains embedded into many healthcare regulations. This newest relaxation of blood donation regulations is also not permanent and could be revoked once the COVID-19 pandemic slows down. Additionally, still, gay and bisexual men who are sexually active cannot donate blood or plasma. In addition to every blood donation being screened for HIV, medications such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have a 92% reduction in HIV and could be used to ensure donors are not infected. Nucleic acid testing can also detect HIV presence in one’s bloodstream in under a week. 

LGBTQ+ support groups continue to advocate equality for those within the community. The president and chief executive of GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ advocacy nonprofit, has pushed for reform in the Federal Drug Administration (FDA)’s discriminatory practices. In the New York Times, she is quoted saying, “If in a global pandemic, the FDA can’t prioritize science over stigma, it sends a really large message.” GLAAD was also behind a nationwide petition in March of 2020 to lift FDA policies. 

Especially in current times, further steps towards ending restrictions on gay and bisexual men from donating blood is essential. A 2014 report by UCLA School of Law’s William Institute estimates that an additional 600,000 pints of blood would be available each year if restrictions are lifted. With COVID-19 as the new reality and thousands of blood drives being cancelled across the nation, the U.S. blood supply is dwindling dangerously low. By lifting these prejudiced rules, we can work towards dismantling years of oppression and help patients who desperately need blood donations during this time.