For decades, gay and bisexual men were banned from donating blood because of fear and stigma rooted in the early AIDS crisis. In this video, we’re diving into the history of the blood donation ban, how it evolved over time, and what today’s behavior-based screening rules actually mean for LGBTQ+ donors.

While the lifetime ban is finally gone in the United States, the conversation isn’t over. Current policies raise important questions about equity, public health, and how stigma can linger in medical systems long after the original fears have faded.

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Listen to the full podcast episode: https://www.ajadedgay.com/14-the-ban-on-gay-blood-donations/

Read more on the topic in my blog: https://www.ajadedgay.com/blog/the-evolution-of-blood-donation-restrictions-for-men-who-have-sex-with-men/

Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ajadedgay

Sources:
LGBTQ+ Donors: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements/lgbtq-donors.html

FDA Lifts Ban on Blood Donations By Gay and Bisexual Men: https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2017/september/the-evolution-of-hiv-testing

The Evolution of HIV Testing: https://www.aacc.org/cln/articles/2017/september/the-evolution-of-hiv-testing

Which HIV Tests Are Most Accurate?: https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/hiv-tests-accurate

Types of HIV Tests: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-testing/test-types.html

Will's Not Done Fighting - Will & Grace (Episode Highlight): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdDEWQumpBU

What Happens to Donated Blood: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood.html

Infectious Disease, HLA and ABO Donor Qualification Testing: https://www.redcrossblood.org/biomedical-services/blood-diagnostic-testing/blood-testing.html

HRC - Blood Donations: https://www.hrc.org/resources/blood-donations

#AJadedGay #blooddonation #blooddonations #lgbtqhealth #gayhistory