The United States government has finally lifted a ban preventing gay men from donating blood as long as they have been celibate for a year. Some gay activists continue to call the move as "discriminatory".
According to BBC, a ban that has been put in place during the Aids crisis in the 1980s has been partially lifted by the United States government. It now allows gay men to donate blood as long as they have been celibate for an entire year.
Gay rights activists lobbied against the said one-year rule condition calling it discriminatory. However, countries such as Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom also impose the one-year celibate rule prohibiting men who have had sex with other men from donating despite calls for discrimination for the gay community. In contrast, Canada currently enforces a five-year celibacy rule.
Activist David Stacy said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needed to enhance its policy despite it being a "step in the right direction". Stacy commented, "It continues to stigmatize gay and bisexual men... It simply cannot be justified in light of current scientific research and updated blood screening technology."
According to another article by the New York Times, the strict imposition was implemented to curb the risk of acquiring blood-borne diseases such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It was also put in place to keep the nation's blood supply safe. It was noted that although donations should be considered on an individual basis, some gay men have a higher risk of HIV infection than most heterosexual men and women.
The nationwide ban on blood donations from gay men was first enacted in 1983 months after the existence of HIV among its people. According to Vox.com, health authorities were prompted to put it in place to ensure the safety of blood banks. It is essential to note that in those days, screening for HIV was non-existent and there wasn't enough research for more information about the virus.
The controversy over the ban of blood donation from men engaging in intercourse with other men continues to divide communities in the United States. Restrictions similar to the ones implemented by the US government vary from country to country. Several LGBT organizations view the restrictions are discriminatory and born out of homophobia as opposed to proper disease prevention.
