Senator Scott Wiener’s Statement on FDA’s Change to Ban on Gay and Bisexual Men Donating Blood During COVID-19 Emergency

San Francisco – Today Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement in response to the FDA’s decision to change its ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood from a one year celibacy requirement to a three month celibacy requirement. Senator Wiener is hosting (with the American Red Cross) a blood drive this coming Tuesday with the theme #GiveForAGay: Encouraging gay and bisexual men to recruit an eligible blood donor to donate for them and encouraging eligible donors to donate on behalf of someone who is banned.

“In the midst of a severe national blood shortage, caused by the COVID-19 emergency, the FDA continues to ignore the science around HIV testing and continues to codify irrational, fact-free discrimination against gay and bisexual men who simply want to donate blood to save lives. The FDA’s discrimination against gay and bisexual men does not just undermine the national blood supply. It also bans the use of plasma from gay and bisexual men who have recovered from COVID-19 to treat people who are sick from COVID-19. The FDA’s irrational policy is undermining our nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19.

“While a three month celibacy requirement is less awful than a one year celibacy requirement, it is still awful. The celibacy requirement still excludes from blood donation a huge number of healthy, HIV-negative gay and bisexual men. The celibacy requirement still irrationally discriminates against gay and bisexual men by placing a celibacy requirement on them without placing that same requirement on sexually active straight people. The celibacy requirement continues to ignore the fact that modern HIV testing technology is so accurate and powerful that it will detect any HIV infection that occurred 10-14 days or longer before the donation. If HIV testing has a window of a mere 10-14 days, why on earth would the FDA insist on a three month celibacy period for gay and bisexual men to be able to donate?

“When it comes to HIV, the FDA is stuck in the 1980s, and it is time for the FDA to arrive in the year 2020 and base its decisions on 2020 scientific knowledge. We will continue to advocate for a rational, science-based, and non-discriminatory approach to blood donation, particularly given the severe blood shortage we face as a result of COVID-19.”