not only the lives that we’re saving but also the lives that are lived

July 10, 2024 6:54 AM

The White House Office of Public Engagement held its first LGBTQ-inclusive blood drive last month, garnering high turnout. The FDA’s revised guidelines, implemented last year, ended discrimination against blood donors based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Francisco Ruiz, the White House director of National AIDS Policy, emphasized the administration’s focus on advancing science-based policies: “The Biden-Harris Administration is really steadfast and committed to advancing the science. And the change in the guidelines is a testament to that. Making sure that we are not moving forward policies that are outdated, and that may be based on fear.”
posted by kristi (1 comment total)

This article links The Advocate's detailed coverage on the new rules (from a year ago)

... the United States joins the United Kingdom and Canada in implementing risk-based regulations.

A donor who reports having had anal sex with a new partner or reports having more than one sexual partner in the past three months and has had anal sex in the past three months will be deferred.

Additionally, under this final recommendation, those taking medications to prevent or treat HIV infection will be deferred

posted by Nelson at 7:16 AM on July 10 [2 favorites]