There’s a national blood crisis. It doesn’t have to be that way.

The Red Cross has announced that for the first time in American history we are facing what they are calling a “national blood crisis”. Due to the increase in COVID infections, there is a lack of people donating blood plus a high number of blood drive cancellations and staffing shortages. These have led to the country having a dangerously low blood supply. In 2021 the Red Cross had a 34% decrease in new donors, a frighteningly large decline.

This seems like a particularly important and relevant time to once again consider the Food & Drug Administration’s bigoted unscientific ban on gay men giving blood that has lasted for almost four decades.

Related: Why are some LGBTQ people Republicans? Why do they vote against their own community?

“If the nation’s blood supply does not stabilize soon, life-saving blood may not be available for some patients when it is needed,” the Red Cross said.

Many are not aware this ban even exists, but yes, since 1983 the FDA has had regulations in place that recommend that men who have sex with men not be allowed to donate blood. Things have indeed improved a lot – it used to be a lifetime ban whereas since 2015 it is now…

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