FDA Rules Changed. Can Gay Men Give Blood Here?

An historic announcement from the FDA changes the rules about who can give blood, which is vital, because according to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood as part of a life-saving procedure. Gay and bisexual men were banned from giving blood in 1985 because of the AIDS epidemic, and even as the FDA loosened those restrictions, critics still called the policy discriminatory because it was based on sexuality rather than behavior.  Thanks so much to Sean DeYoung, the CEO of Allies for Health and Well Being, for sharing his take on the new blood donation guidelines and our how local queer community is likely to step up. Take our survey! We’re doing an audience survey to learn more about our listeners. It only takes 5 minutes. Anyone who finishes can enter to win a $250 Visa gift card. That’s at citycast.fm/survey Want some more Pittsburgh news?  Make sure to sign up for our daily morning Hey Pittsburgh newsletter. We’re also on Twitter @citycastpgh & Instagram @CityCastPgh! Not a fan of social? Then leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices