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While the statement specifies that the Red Cross “does not believe blood donation eligibility should be determined by methods that are based upon sexual orientation,” Garcia says that is exactly what it does: it bases eligibility primarily on sexual orientation, not on the type of sexual behavior.
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The Red Cross remains committed to building an inclusive environment that embraces diversity for all those who engage with our lifesaving mission…” “… This is the first and important step toward a greater goal of an equitable blood donation process that treats all potential donors with equality and respect, and ensures a safe, sufficient blood supply is readily available for patients in need.
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“These changes will potentially allow more individuals to donate and help ensure blood collection organizations across the country continue to meet patient needs throughout this pandemic and beyond,” the statement reads. The statement expressed thanks to the FDA for updating the rules regarding men who have sex with men, among other recent changes to their policies. An official from the Red Cross declined to be interviewed for this story, instead they emailed a statement from national headquarters dated April 2. To be clear, it is the Food and Drug Administration that establishes guidelines regarding blood donation, not organizations like the American Red Cross, which is not a government agency. People are dying because of this stupid policy,” he said, implying that lives might be saved by ending the acute blood shortage if the deferral policy were abolished. And frankly, any time you have a … health policy with that kind of prejudice and ignorance associated with it, leads to death. It’s an archaic, asinine policy that is steeped in bigotry and prejudice and ignorance. “It doesn’t make any sense,” Garcia said. Dave Garcia, executive director of the Affirmations LGBTQ community center in Ferndale is among them, and he was quick to call the policy “asinine.” Many in the LGBTQ community find deferral policies related to blood donation arbitrary and homophobic in general. This change was announced in early April and it comes at a time of greatly increased need for donated blood due to the coronavirus pandemic, as so many blood drives had to be canceled. Men who have had sex with men within the past three months are among those who are ineligible - a deferral period recently reduced from a wait of one year.
CAN GAY MEN DONATE BLOOD PREP PLUS
That’s because of various restrictions like age and physical health of the potential donor plus factors intended to protect the blood supply from blood-borne pathogens such as HIV.