Tammy Baldwin Wants To End Policy Barring Gay Men From Donating Blood

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is one of 82 lawmakers asking for a reevaluation of a federal blood donation policy that excludes gay men.

Policies prompted by the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s still prevent gay men from donating blood. That prohibition is “outdated” according to a letter written by 82 members of Congress. The letter cites advances in blood screening and notes that other countries allow gay men to donate.

Louis Katz is Chief Medical Officer at America’s Blood Centers (ABC), an organization that represents about half the nation’s blood supply. ABC has long supported allowing gay men to donate 12 months after stopping risky behavior.

“It’s probably not zero risk,” says Katz. “But it’s immeasurable. It’s so small, it’s hard to measure the risk.”

Katz says changing the policy would increase available blood. He says there are always spot and seasonal shortages of blood.

“In the past several years, the red blood cell supply has been pretty darn good,” says Katz. “Platelets are a different story. There is much shorter shelf life and different collection procedures.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is conducting studies to allow gay men to donate blood. A 12-month waiting period for gay men would be in line with other high-risk donors, like those with viral hepatitis.