FDA’s new guidelines allow gay/bisexual men to donate blood

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – There’s good news for blood banks across south central Kentucky.

The Red Cross is now able to take blood donations from a larger group of people, increasing the blood supply. Gay and bisexual men are now eligible to donate blood, according to new FDA guidelines.

Specialists say this makes blood donating more inclusive, but it also continues to keep the blood supply safe. The risk among gay and bisexual men donating blood is now about behavior rather than orientation.

“Of course, it is going to help increase the availability of people who can help donate blood to save lives. However, I also think this is an equality thing. This was a very important rule by the FDA opening the doors for opening the doors for people who are healthy to donate blood, so there’s even more blood on the shelves when we need it most,” Red Cross director Sherri Mckinney said.

Any gay or bisexual man who reports having sex with new partners in the last three months will be barred from donating blood until a later time.

For more information, visit redcrossdot.org.