Lift The Lifetime Ban On Blood Donation By Gay Men

Canada and many other nations have indefinitely delayed blood donation to men who sex with them since 1983. Based on current HIV/AIDS information, this was put in place. The disease was blood-borne and most common among gay men. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention forbade any man from 1977 or later to donate blood. Because this date predated the outbreak, it would reduce the chance of getting infected blood from gay men. Canada’s women who had sex in Canada with men who had sex before the outbreak were allowed to donate blood within one year. This rule shouldn’t be applied to males. I believe gay men all over the world should have the right to donate blood after they have been abstinence-free or sex without any restrictions.

In the 1980’s, a permanent deferral was required. The FDA was concerned that blood donation could be used to transmit the deadly disease, which had just been discovered. While discriminatory, FDA and CDC supported the idea with two clear benefits: indefinite deferral. They are 1) no risk of accidental blood contamination and 2) preventive transfusion of HIV-infected units (Wainberg Shuldiner Dahl Gilmore1323). The FDA states that anyone who completes the donor risk questionnaire is deferred. The FDA allows a two-week deferral for those who have had a recent vaccination. There is also a 12-month deferral for those who have gotten a tattoo or piercing. But there is an indefinite delay for homosexuals. Countries like Australia, Japan and Hungary have made their own decisions to limit their deferrals up to one calendar year. To be able donate blood, a homosexual must not have been drinking for at least one calendar year. South Africa allows donors after six months’ abstinence. New Zealand is open to donations after 10 year. CTV News reported that Canada lifted a ban of gay men giving blood for nearly 30 years. If a man hasn’t had sex within the last five years, a gay man may donate blood. Spokesperson Mark Wainberg said that this was “a step in a positive direction”. Devine, vice-president for medical, scientific, and research affairs at Canadian Blood Services says that this will allow men who have ever experimented with drugs or been raped or sexually assaulted to finally donate. This type deferral does not discriminate and gay Canadian men should consider giving blood if the standards for their situation permit. This deferral is one that should be available all over the world. The benefits to men who have never had a sexual encounter within the last five years are untold. This could be for men who were abused, experimented upon or who chose to remain abstinent.

Although the deferral of gay men is still illegal in the United States. More news articles are being written about these issues every day. The National Gay Blood Drive campaign brought together 61 American cities to protest the ban and collect blood. Every gay man who attended had one or more friends/proxies to donate blood for them. The men were denied the donation history questionnaire while they were there. They also sent letters to the FDA describing their desire for blood donation. They hope this will show the FDA how many gay men are willing to donate blood to help those in need. The American Medical Association (AMA), voted against the ban in a Times Magazine article. A spokesperson claimed that the ban is not based upon sound science anymore and that the disease is much more well understood. Although they are aware of the risks, the AMA asks that men be deferred based only on their own risk and not their sexual orientation. This suggestion by the AMA seems to be valid. It is discriminatory to deny men the right to organ donation based upon their sexual orientation. Every person who identifies as homosexual should have the opportunity to discuss their risk of contracting the blood-borne illness. The information provided can help determine the risk to each individual.

Zingman, an American doctor and the director of Montefiore Medical Center’s AIDS Center at Montefiore Medical Center stated in an article on NBC News that although the decision Canada made recently was not unquestioned. Even though it’s a long process and could be problematic for some homosexually active men, the 5 year deferral seems to me more considerate than the lifetime ban. Canada has implemented a deferral type that I think should be worldwide. Shorter deferral times are acceptable in countries like South Africa where blood donations are very important. Each country should allow for a maximum five year period of abstinence. Abstinent gay men will donate more blood to the world, which will benefit many people who need it most.