A new rule imposed by the Food and Drugs Administration has received negative criticism by some gay rights group. The new FDA regulation states that for gay and bisexual men to donate blood they must not engage in sex for at least one year. The gay rights movement deemed this new rule "offensive" and creates a "de facto lifetime ban."
This move by the Food and Drugs Administration aims to put an end to the prohibition originally created during 1983 in response to the alarming AIDS crisis. Gay rights group on the other hand is crying foul over the new rule, stating that the new sure perpetuates stereotypes. Blood safety experts have convened with the Department of Health and Human Services and overwhelmingly voted in to propagate the one year celibacy rule.
Gay rights group however did not share the same enthusiasm. Gay Men's Health Crisis issued an official statement saying the new rule was "offensive and harmful and would continue to fan the flames of the outdated stereotype that HIV is a 'gay disease."
The group added that the new policy is not to regulate blood donors including those with unknown cases of HIV but indirectly imposes a de facto lifetime ban for the gay community.
Based on the old questionnaire issued by the Food and Drugs Administration to would be donors, it asks men whether they have engaged with a man since 1977. The latest blood donation policy is also adopted in several countries including United Kingdom, Australia and Japan. The FDA said that it had cautiously examined and considered other accessible scientific studies.
However, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association questioned the current ruling, saying that any "categorical donation was arbitrary, stigmatizing and not scientifically supported." The group is calling out to the FDA to create a policy that would address those who have vulnerable sexual behavior regardless of their sexual orientation or gender.
