Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Programs (MADP) held an informational table about the ban on homosexual men donating blood during the Student Nurses at Pace (SNAP) American Red Cross Blood Drive in Willcox Gym on Nov. 12.

The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) maintains a policy that prohibits MSM (men who have sex with men) from donating blood. According to the FDA website, this policy was created because “MSM are, as a group, at increased risk of HIV, hepatitis B, and certain other infections that can be transmitted by transfusion.”

This policy additionally extends to the donation of certain body tissues, a policy which gained media attention this past summer when a gay teen’s donated eyes were rejected by the FDA.

MADP circulated a petition as part of the Banned4Life campaign, which works toward the change of the FDA’s policy.

According to Banned4Life’s website, “[this policy] affects not just those targeted by the discrimination, but everyone who is in a time of need, desperate to receive a blood transfusion.” 

The Banned4Life campaign additionally notes that individuals who have had sexual contact with someone with HIV or viral hepatitis are only deferred for 12 months, rather than a lifetime as is the case with MSM.

Rachel Simon, Assistant Director of MADP and LGBTQ Coordinator, explained the reason behind the petition.

“There is currently a national shortage of blood, and it is very important for people who are eligible to donate blood,” Simon said. “One solution to the blood shortage is to allow healthy people to donate, regardless of their sexual orientation.”

While the FDA website clarifies that deferral is “based on the documented increased risk of certain transfusion transmissible infections,” and “is not based on any judgment concerning the donor’s sexual orientation,” debate has ensued since the policy’s implementation.

Arguments against the policy have come from notable sources such as American Association of Blood Banks and America’s Blood Centers. They informed the FDA “that the current lifetime deferral for men is medically and scientifically unwarranted.” 

Countries such as Italy, France, Spain, Australia, and Switzerland have changed their policies altogether so that MSM individuals can donate blood.

According to SNAP President Suzanne Allen, the American Red Cross originally contacted Student Development and Campus Activities (SDCA) in the hopes of running a blood drive on this campus. When SDCA reached out to SNAP, the student organization accepted.

“We decided to hold the drive because, as student nurses, we understand the importance of donating blood and want to spread awareness about how donating blood can save lives,” Allen said.

Allen said that the FDA ban on MSM donators was not necessarily reflective of SNAP’s opinions.

“Since SNAP is not actually running the blood drive, we are required to go by whatever standards the American Red Cross has in place in regards to homosexual men donating blood,” Allen said. “We are not the ones actually making the rules, and we are simply looking for as many people as possible to donate blood.”

The Banned4Life petition is ongoing. Any student interested in signing can visit Banned4Life.org or speak to Rachel Simon.