FDA To Ease Gay Blood Ban

The FDA today followed up on its December hearings and announced that the lifetime ban on blood donations by gay men will soon end. But under the new rules, gay men will only be allowed to donate if they have been abstinent for the previous year. The new policy is currently only in draft form and the public will have 30 days to comment. Both Sen. Tammy Baldwin and the HRC say the change isn't good enough.

"While the new policy is a step in the right direction toward an ideal policy that reflects the best scientific research, it still falls far short of a fully acceptable solution because it continues to stigmatize gay and bisexual men,” said HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy. “This policy prevents men from donating life-saving blood based solely on their sexual orientation rather than actual risk to the blood supply. It simply cannot be justified in light of current scientific research and updated blood screening technology. We are committed to working towards an eventual outcome that both minimizes risk to the blood supply and treats gay and bisexual men with the respect they deserve.”

The one year ban was adopted in recent years by Britain, Australia, and several other countries. The AMA and the American Red Cross have called for lifting the US ban entirely.

Freep This FDA Poll

On the lower left side. (Tipped by JMG reader Spur)

FDA Eases Gay Blood Ban, Donations Allowed After One Year Of Celibacy

Via Reuters:

Gay men will be able to donate blood one year after their last sexual contact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday, under a proposal that will be introduced early next year to end a ban that has been in place since 1983. Scientific evidence shows the move will not create risks for the nation's blood supply, the FDA said. The policy change is expected to boost the supply of donated blood by hundreds of thousands of pints per year. Blood donations from gay men have been barred since the discovery that HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, was being transmitted through transfusions.

The FDA said it will issue draft guidance on the policy, hopefully early in 2015. It would then review the comments and issue final guidance "as quickly as possible," Peter Marks, deputy director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said during a press briefing. An FDA advisory committee met this month to discuss issues around changing the policy, such as the effectiveness of new blood supply tests for HIV infections. In November, an advisory committee to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended a one-year deferral. The FDA stopped short of eliminating the ban for gay men altogether. Marks said during the briefing that scientific evidence for a ban shorter than a year was not "compelling."

The ACLU has slammed the change:

"The FDA's proposal must be seen as part of an ongoing process and not an end point," said Ian Thompson, ACLU Legislative Representative. "The reality for most gay and bisexual men -- including those in committed, monogamous relationships -- is that this proposal will continue to function as a de facto lifetime ban. Criteria for determining blood donor eligibility should be based on science, not outdated, discriminatory stereotypes and assumptions." The FDA blood donation policy, which has been in place since 1983, prohibits any man who has had sex with another man, even one time, since 1977 from donating blood. The American Civil Liberties Union previously submitted comments urging the FDA to reassess its policy based on current scientific evidence.

Similar sentiments from Lambda Legal:

This is a step in the right direction, but blood donation policy should be based on current scientific knowledge and experience, not unfounded fear, generalizations and stereotypes. Merely changing the parameters of this outdated policy does not alter its underlying discriminatory nature, eliminate its negative and stigmatizing effects, nor transform it into a policy based on current scientific and medical knowledge. Within 45 days of exposure, currently required blood donation testing detects all known serious blood-borne pathogens, including HIV. Therefore, a deferral of more than two months--for anyone--is not necessary and does not noticeably enhance the safety of the blood supply. Furthermore, donor deferrals should be based entirely on the conduct of the potential donor and not on sexual orientation, gender identity or the perceived health status or risk factors of the donor's sexual partners.

The reason is straight-forward, and is a foundational principle of our prevention efforts: an adult person becomes HIV-positive--or acquires another blood-borne pathogen--only after engaging in activities that present a risk of transmission. To base deferrals primarily on prevalence within certain communities rather than behavior could serve to disqualify other segments of the population based on race, sex and where they reside--a very slippery slope toward more easily recognizable forms of illegal discrimination. If we are serious about a policy that is truly most protective of the blood supply, it will treat all potential donors the same and base any deferrals on the conduct of those potential donors within a scientifically justified 'window period' prior to donation.

FRC: Keep Gay Blood Ban

Via press release:

The FDA created the rule -- not out of prejudice, but precaution. Now, a growing chorus of liberals is insisting that federal agencies should ignore the risks so that homosexuals feel “more accepted” in society. In other words, the Left is willing to taint the U.S. blood banks to make a political point. If the FDA wants to protect people’s health, it has to be selective. The government can’t afford to contaminate the blood supply just to validate people’s risky sexual behavior. Not to mention, Peter points out, that the very small size of the LGBT population (2.3% according to this year’s CDC survey) means that any potential benefits to the blood bank would be “marginal.” In fact, the only thing they would add with 100% certainty is liability. Yet every year, the government wastes taxpayers’ time and money debating what is nothing but a naked push to normalize and celebrate homosexual behavior. The blood donation policy doesn’t exist to serve a political agenda -- and it shouldn’t be changed to advance one. Even if the new screening can detect virtually all tainted blood, no test is completely safe. And the government shouldn’t be willing to risk America’s blood supply to prove it.

FDA Mulls Gay Blood Ban

Via the Washington Post:

The Food and Drug Administration during a two-day meeting starting today will consider lifting the ban that was put into place in 1983 amid fears — and little understanding — of the AIDS virus. An FDA advisory committee last month recommended that the agency lift the restriction, but only for men who hadn't had sex with other men for at least a year. The scientific and medical communities have increasingly rejected the ban currently in place in the United States. The American Medical Association, the nation's largest physician organization, voted last year to oppose the ban, calling it discriminatory and not based on sound science. Instead, the AMA urged federal policymakers to take a more personal approach assessing each individual's level of risk. The approach recommended by the FDA advisory committee last month falls short of that standard. And it still falls short of what a number of other countries have done to allow blood donations from gay and bisexual men.

Australia, Hungary, and Japan have all recently instituted one-year bans like the one being considered by the FDA. Among those testifying against any change today was FRC vice president and non-scientist Peter Sprigg, who is best known for declaring that sodomy should still be illegal in the United States and that American gays should be exported rather than allowing foreign gays to immigrate here.

Gay Blood Ban May Be Partially Lifted

Via Bloomberg News:

A U.S. advisory panel recommended for the first time that the 31-year ban preventing gay and bisexual men from donating blood should be partially ended, placing the nation’s policy in line with other countries. Men who had sex with men anytime since 1977 are barred from giving blood in the U.S., a policy that dates back to 1983 because of concern that the AIDS virus could be transmitted through blood transfusions. Groups like the American Red Cross say that risk is infinitesimal in many cases, not enough to justify a full ban that prevents much-needed donations. Doctors and blood-donation advocates who advise the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services voted 16-2 today to suggest that men who have had sex with men should be able to give blood after being abstinent for one year. Their recommendation will be considered by a group of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration in a Dec. 2 meeting. While the FDA doesn’t have to follow either panel’s advice, their recommendations are considered influential.

Weiner Denounces Gay Blood Ban

One day after he lost Edith Windsor's endorsement to Christine Quinn. Anthony Weiner worked to win back some gay votes by denouncing the FDA's ban on blood donations.

"Why does it still exist? Simple. Fear," Weiner said outside a blood donation center on the upper East Side. The issue was one Weiner said he also tackled while in Congress when he and 32 other members petitioned the FDA to "revisit the limitation." At the time, he said, the agency responded that the ban was "not optimal," but kept it in place. At Weiner's side, Brad Baso, 34, said he learned in college that he couldn't give blood when he had to fill out a questionnaire that asked about his sexual orientation. He said he was disappointed because he wanted to help.Weiner said he wants to have a science-based conversation about the ban -- which ignores that blood donations are tested for the HIV virus that causes AIDS, he added -- adding that those tests have gotten better over the years.

Canada Changes Rules On Gay Blood

Canada's federal blood donation authority has ruled that gay men may now donate blood if they haven't had sex in five years.

“We recognize that many people will feel that this change does not go far enough, but given the history of the blood system in Canada, we see this as a first and prudent step forward on this policy,” Dr. Dana Devine, vice-president of medical, scientific and research affairs at the federal blood donor agency said in a news release Wednesday. “It’s the right thing to do and we are committed to regular review of this policy as additional data emerge and new technologies are implemented,” Devine said in the statement.

Previously Canada had banned gay men from donating blood if they have had sex with a man even once since 1977.  The United States continues to have a lifetime ban. The new Canadian policy goes into effect this summer. (Tipped by JMG reader Gigi)

Mexico Lifts Gay Blood Ban?

Andres Duque has the news at Blabbeando:

A little noticed Mexican health norm first approved in August and then published in the country's regulatory Official Federation Diary on October 26th has gone into effect today essentially doing away with a two-decade ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. The old norm (NOM 003-SSA2) explicitly banned gay and bisexual men from donating blood based on their "practices" and their "increased probability of acquiring HIV or hepatitis infection". The new norm (NOM 253) eliminates specific bans on gay and bisexual men and instead bans blood donations from people with HIV or hepatitis and their partners and people who engage in "risky sexual practices" regardless of their sexual identity.

Duque concludes: "If this report is correct, Mexico might be the first country in the American continent to lift such a ban." Read more.

Feds Consider End To Gay Blood Ban

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comment on a proposed plan to ease the ban on blood donations from gay men.

“[T]he increased effectiveness of donor testing for [Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)], [Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)], syphilis and other infectious agents has greatly enhanced blood safety,” the department states in the notice, which will be published in the Federal Register Tuesday. “As a result, questions have been raised about the need to continue an indefinite deferral of all MSM and whether there could be blood donation by MSM who may not be at increased risk.” HHS specifically is calling on the public to evaluate how the department could design an “innovative and cost effective” pilot program to evaluate “alternative blood donor acceptance criteria for MSM.”

Anti-gay hate groups will surely urge their members to deluge the HHS with protests.

UK Gay Blood Ban Lifted

The lifetime blood donation ban for gay men in the United Kingdom ends today. But only if you've not had sex in a least one year.

Dr Lorna Williamson, NHS Blood and Transplant’s medical and research director, said: “Our priority as a blood service is to provide a safe and sufficient supply of blood for patients. This change gives us an opportunity to broaden our donor acceptance on the basis of the latest scientific evidence. "The Sabto review concluded that the safety of the blood supply would not be affected by the change and we would like to reassure patients receiving transfusions that the blood supply is as safe as it reasonably can be and amongst the safest in the world. There has been no documented transmission of a blood-borne virus in the UK since 2005, with no HIV transmission since 2002.”

Britain Modifies Gay Blood Ban

Gay men who have not had sex in the last year may now donate blood in Britain.

The change comes into force in England, Wales and Scotland on November 7th. Northern Ireland has not yet decided whether it will relax the rules. But gay rights campaigners said gay men would still be treated unfairly under the new rules, as heterosexuals engaged in higher risk sexual activity are not subject to the same restrictions. The ban was put in place in the 1980s after the AIDS crisis, as gay and bisexual men have higher rates of HIV. Currently, any man who has ever had protected or unprotected oral or anal sex with another man cannot donate blood.

Openly Gay NBC Anchor Thomas Roberts: I Was Never On The Down-Low

In a discussion about the FDA ban on gay blood donations on today's episode of The View, guest moderator D.L. Hughley brought up the issue of black men on the down-low, prompting openly gay NBC anchor Thomas Roberts to reveal that he didn't come out until the age of 27, but never dated men and women at the same time. In 2005 Roberts testified against the priest who had molested him a boy, helping send the man to prison.

Sam Seder - That's Bullshit

Good As You tips us to this clip from Sam Seder's Bullshit series in which he rails against the FDA's decision to maintain the ban on gay blood. Seder spends much of the clip attacking Obama's "fierce advocacy."

FDA Keeps Ban On Gay Blood

So much for science.

An advisory panel of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has narrowly voted to maintain the ban on blood donations from homosexual men. The vote was 7-6 to maintain the ban. Under the FDA's rules, men cannot give blood if they have had sex with another man at least once since 1977. The FDA was considering changing the blood donation rule to ban only men who had had sex with another man within the past five years. The rule came into force originally in 1985 to protect the blood supply from HIV. Critics claim that the ban is discriminatory and outdated, as other high risk groups such as prostitutes, intravenous drug users, and promiscuous heterosexuals are deferred from donation only one year from their last high risk encounter.

FDA Hearings On Dropping Ban On Gay Blood Donors Begin Today

The FDA begins hearings today on whether to drop the decades-long ban on gay men donating blood. Numerous LGBT and progressive sites are participating in a blog-swarm, asking their readers to submit comments.

Dr. Jerry Holmberg is the Executive Secretary of the Advisory Committee, and is tasked with accepting formal public comments from both organizations and individuals. He has made his e-mail available for this purpose. Please take a minute to e-mail Dr. Holmberg via jerry.holmberg@hhs.gov and urge him and the committee to revise the ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men.

You can find scientific support for your comment at this link. Among those testifying today is Cliff Kincaid of the virulently anti-gay group, American's Survival. Christian Newswire reveals today what Kincaid plans to say.

"Do you or your loved ones want to die in order to advance the gay rights agenda? Once again, as we have seen in the gays in the military debate, the gays are constantly screaming about their rights, oblivious to the point of madness about the rights of others. In this case, it's our right to be free of infected blood when our loved ones get a blood transfusion. But unless the public quickly offers its comments and raises an outcry with the federal authorities coming under the influence and intimidation of the gay rights lobby, the 'right' to donate blood could soon be extended to a politically-connected special interest group that has a demonstrated propensity to acquire life-threatening and deadly diseases."

Watch the hearing live here.

FDA To Consider End To Gay Blood Ban

The FDA is beginning the review process to lift the ban on donations from gay men. Chris Johnson at the Washington Blade reports:

A notice published Thursday states the Department of Health & Human Services has scheduled a meeting next month of the Advisory Committee on Blood Safety & Availability to discuss the issue. The committee is charged with providing recommendations to HHS on blood supply and blood products. The meeting, which is open to the public, is set to take place at the Universities of Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. Discussion is scheduled over the course of two days — from June 10 to June 11. The meetings on both days are set for 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.

The push to lift the ban gained momentum in March when Sen. John Kerry and 17 other Senators wrote a letter to the FDA denouncing the ban as scientifically unsound. You can expect that anti-gay groups will crowd the above-mentioned public meeting.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) - Let Gay Men Donate Blood

Sen. John Kerry and numerous fellow Senators today called for lifting the ban on gay men donating blood.

"Not a single piece of scientific evidence supports the ban,” Kerry said. “A law that was once considered medically justified is today simply outdated and needs to end." Kerry was one of 18 U.S. Senators -- 17 Democrats and one independent -- who in a letter on Thursday asked the Food and Drug Administration to lift the ban on gay men donating blood. The ban was put in place in 1983, at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis and before modern screening and advanced testing methods for HIV were developed. Experts say current screening and testing have reduced the risk of tainted blood entering the blood supply undetected to virtually zero. The American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers and AABB all support repealing the ban, saying the law is “medically and scientifically unwarranted.” The American Medical Association also supports modifying the ban.

Dying Mom Denied Blood From Gay Son

A 21 year-old gay man in Scotland was prevented from donating blood to his dying mother.

Dij Bentley's mother Christine, 47, died from acute myeloid leukaemia in August last year. Prior to her death, she had developed an infection and needed a blood transfusion. Friends and family members were asked to give blood to see if they were a match for her. Although Bentley did not know whether he was a match, he was prevented from donating under rules which bar men who have had with another man from giving blood. She died ten days after developing an infection in her brain on August 14th. Bentley, a 21-year-old student, told the Herald he had tried to give blood aged 17 but was told by a nurse he could not. He said: “My eyes have been opened to this since my mum died. Maybe gay men do have a right to give blood if they want to. Certainly for me, who was in a monogamous relationship, I think it would have been acceptable in these circumstances.”

Bentley is the president of the Glasgow University LGBT students group. As in the U.S., all gay and bisexual men in the UK are not allowed to donate blood. Late last year, Sweden lifted its lifetime ban on gay men donating, substituting a 12-month ban on all people who have had "risky sex."

Somebody Doesn't Know The Rules

After his impassioned holiday message about anti-gay hate crimes, followed by this possibly disingenuous Twitter post about blood donation, it seems that Ricky Martin is edging ever closer to finally and formally coming out. Martin has long taken the Luther Vandross route of flatly refusing to discuss his personal life, something that many in the LGBT community have no problem with as long as he's not claiming to be straight or speaking against gay causes.

However many others take the position that a person who regularly speaks to millions has an ethical and/or moral responsibility to be open and honest about who he is, for the good of his fellow queers. The question, of course, is whether an entertainer (or a politician or a cable news anchor or any person who willingly seeks public attention) has an obligation to come out.