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December 22, 2015

U.S. Softens Ban on Blood Donation by Gay Men; Critics Say "Ridiculous" Double Standard Remains
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The Obama administration has lifted its blanket ban on blood donations
by gay men—saying they can now donate blood but only if they haven't
had sex with another man in the past 12 months. The Food and Drug
Administration said it made the decision in response to the latest
science on HIV transmission. But critics say the policy is still biased.
Colorado Congressmember Jared Polis, who co-chairs a caucus of openly
gay congressmembers, told Reuters, "It is ridiculous and counter to the
public health that a married gay man in a monogamous relationship can't
give blood, but a promiscuous straight man who has had hundreds of
opposite-sex partners in the last year can."


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