Lifting the decades old ban on gay men for blood donation, the Food and Drug Administration has proposed a rule wherein they are eligible for blood donation in the United States. The eligibility conditions for the above have been cited as good health and absence of same sex relations for at least a year.

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LA Times hinted that this ban has long been a civil rights issue for the LGBT community and has also been a matter of criticism by the medical fraternity. The ban was instated in 1985 as a consequence of the AIDS epidemic; however, countries like Australia, Britain, Japan and Sweden have allowed blood donation for gay and bisexual men who abide by the one year deferral policy.

According to reports, currently, intravenous drug users, sex workers and people who have had heterosexual relationship with an HIV infected partner are eligible for blood donation as long as they follow the same policy and test negatively for HIV. On the other hand, travelers from certain African Nations are also eligible for donation only after having observed a deference period of 1 year, to prevent spread of epidemics.

The Daily Times Gazette reports that this ban supplements the theory that the spread of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV is furthered by same gender sexual relationship leading to impose a total ban on blood donation by men who had had same sex coitus.

In spite of the proposed provisions, FDA has advised sex workers and women who have consummated with gay and bisexual men to stay clear of blood donation. As remarked by the top official of Human Rights Campaign, David Stacy said that the campaign though is a pioneer in its regard yet continues to stigmatize the LGBT community.

FDA is all set to take remarks on the proposal for 60 days before finalizing it.

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