More Than Half of Gay, Bisexual Men Would Donate Blood if Eligible, HRC Survey Finds

Nearly 50% of LGBTQ+ adults and 54.4% of men who have sex with men (MSM) would be likely or extremely likely to donate blood in the next year if they became eligible, according to new survey of LGBTQ+ adults conducted by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). The survey asked donors about their blood donation experiences, their attitudes and opinions towards the Food and Drug Administration’s current policy, and their views on proposed changes to blood donor eligibility processes.
 
Currently, MSM in the United States are eligible to donate blood three months after their most recent sexual contact with another man if they meet all other eligibility criteria. In January, FDA proposed to adopt individual donor assessment, a donor screening process that uses gender-inclusive, individual donor-based questions relevant to HIV risk.

Under this proposed process, individuals who have had a new sexual partner or more than one sexual partner and anal sex in the preceding three months would be temporarily deferred for three months from the most recent date of anal sex. Under FDA's current and proposed eligibility processes, all individuals taking medications to prevent HIV infection are temporarily deferred from donation, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Individuals who report a history of ever taking medication to treat HIV infection are permanently deferred.

According to survey findings, respondents overwhelmingly viewed FDA’s current policy as unacceptable (72.2%). Nearly 6 in 10 (57.9%) of LGBTQ+ respondents and more than half (54.2%) of MSM agreed that the proposed changes to blood donation policies are a step forward; however, 72.3% of LGBTQ+ respondents and 76.5% of MSM still viewed the proposed donor eligibility process as discriminatory.

In addition, 28% of LGTBQ+ respondents and 37.7% of MSM reported that they would remain ineligible to donate under the proposed guidance. More than half (56.7%) of LGBTQ+ respondents and 60.4% of MSM reported that being turned away under proposed guidance would make them feel stigmatized or unfairly targeted for being LGBTQ+.

The survey also found that respondents were supportive of steps to further expand donor eligibility for MSM; 87.8% believe the federal government needs to prioritize investing in more technologies and research to expand eligibility. Three-quarters (73.9%) agree that “ending the ban on blood donation for some members of the LGBTQ+ community should be a priority for the Biden-Harris administration.”

“This survey shows that while LGBTQ+ people are excited to see FDA restrictions being loosened, there is an overwhelming desire for there to be a focus on improving technology rather than just choosing which people to discriminate against,” said Shoshana K. Goldberg, director of public education and research at HRC. “Any step forward is a worthy step to take, but it is clear what community members want: to be able to donate blood and not have to worry about being discriminated against in the process."