PARKER-BOWLES. STEWART: A NEW STUDY MAY MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE GAY MEN TO DONATE BLOOD. ONLY RECENTLY WHERE -- WERE GAY MEN ALLOWED TO DONATE BLOOD. MICHELLE MEREDITH EXPLAINS. [SIRENS] MICHELLE: JUNE 12, 2016, THE PULSE MASSACRE. 49 PEOPLE DEAD, DOZENS INJURED, TO HELP PEOPLE STOOD IN LONG LINES TO DONATE BLOOD. BUT MANY GAY MEN WERE IN FOR A SHOCK. SINCE THE 1980’S, BLOOD DONATED FROM GAY MEN WAS NOT ACCEPTED -- A BAN THAT STARTED DURING THE AIDS EPIDEMIC. >> BECAUSE THERE WERE NO GOOD TESTS FOR HIV TO TEST THE BLOOD WITH AN THE DISEASE WAS A LOT LIKE COVID WHERE THERE WAS NOT A LOT KNOWN ABOUT IT, AND UNLIKE COVID, IT COULD SPREAD THROUGH THE BLOOD SUPPLY. MICHELLE: ONLY IN 2015 DID THE FDA LIFT THE BAN TO DONATE BLOOD WITH STRICT GUIDELINES, IF THE GAY MEN REPORTED HAVING NO SEX WITH A MAN FOR A YEAR HE WAS ELIGIBLE. WHEN DONATIONS DROPPED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, THE TIME WAS CUT TO THREE MONTHS. STILL THERE’S A STIGMA. >> MY BLOOD IS JUST AS RED AS YOURS AND MY BLOOD CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE. SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE. IT IS FRUSTRATING AND THERE IS ANGER THAT IS ASSOCIATED BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HELP. MEREDITH: THIS WEEK THE FDA ANNOUNCED A NEW STUDY IN THE WORKS THAT COULD ALLOW A GAY MAN TO DONATE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. FOR EXAMPLE, A COUPLE IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP COULD QUALIFY. THE FDA HAS PARTNERED WITH O BLOOD AND THE CENTER IN ORLANDO TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. STUDIES BEING CONDUCTED HERE IN ORLANDO, SAN FRANCISCO, WASHINGTON, D.C., MIAMI, AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ABOUT TWO TO 300 PARTICIPANTS IN EACH STUDY. SCOTT HAS VOLUNTEERED AND EMBRACES THE IMPORTANCE. >> IF THEY GO DONATE BLOOD, THEY NO LONGER WILL BE EMBARRASSED, THERE WILL NOT BE ANY ANXIETY, JUST ANOTHER PERSON IN THE ROOM LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. MICHELLE: AND ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE FIGHT FOR GAY PEOPLE TO BE FULLY ACCEPTED IN AMERICAN SOCIETY ORANGE COUNTY, MICHELLE MEREDITH. SUMMER: THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY ARE EXPECTED TO BE READY BY THE END OF
New study could make it possible for more gay men to donate blood
Updated: 9:40 AM EDT May 22, 2021
On June 12, 2016, people stood in long lines to donate blood following the Pulse Massacre, which left 49 people dead and dozens injured.But many gay men were in for a shock. Since the 1980s, blood donated from gay men was not accepted. It was a ban that was started during the AIDs epidemic.In 2015, the FDA lifted the ban to donate blood with strict guidelines. If the gay man reported having no sex with a man for a year, he was eligible. When donations dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, the time was cut to three months. Still, there's a stigma.This week, the FDA announced a new study in the works that could allow a gay man to donate on a case-by-case basis. For example, a couple in a committed relationship could qualify.The FDA has partnered with Oneblood, and The Center in Orlando to make it happen.Now, the study is going to go on in Orlando, Miami, and Washington, D.C. They are looking for about 200 to 300 participants.It's another step forward in the fight for gay people to be fully accepted in American society.The results of the study are expected to be ready by the end of the year.To learn more about the study, CLICK HERE.
On June 12, 2016, people stood in long lines to donate blood following the Pulse Massacre, which left 49 people dead and dozens injured.
But many gay men were in for a shock. Since the 1980s, blood donated from gay men was not accepted. It was a ban that was started during the AIDs epidemic.
In 2015, the FDA lifted the ban to donate blood with strict guidelines. If the gay man reported having no sex with a man for a year, he was eligible. When donations dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, the time was cut to three months. Still, there's a stigma.
This week, the FDA announced a new study in the works that could allow a gay man to donate on a case-by-case basis. For example, a couple in a committed relationship could qualify.
The FDA has partnered with Oneblood, and The Center in Orlando to make it happen.
Now, the study is going to go on in Orlando, Miami, and Washington, D.C. They are looking for about 200 to 300 participants.
It's another step forward in the fight for gay people to be fully accepted in American society.
The results of the study are expected to be ready by the end of the year.
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