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Mayor Lee’s Statement Urging FDA to Lift Ban on Blood Donation by Gay & Bisexual Men

Mayor Lee’s Statement Urging FDA to Lift Ban on Blood Donation by Gay & Bisexual Men

Mayor Edwin M. Lee today issued the following statement urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change its policy prohibiting gay and bisexual men from donating blood:

“Donated blood is critical to helping our hospitals and trauma physicians. Even one single donation can make a life-saving difference. I stand with the American Red Cross, American Medical Association, Blood Centers of the Pacific and the National Gay Blood Drive to urge the Food and Drug Administration to change its policy that prohibits gay and bisexual men from donating blood.

I will support Supervisor Scott Weiner’s resolution to call for a change in FDA policy to reflect modern science and nondiscrimination. We must ensure donation criteria are based on the best science and on people’s behaviors, not on their sexual orientation. The FDA’s outdated ban effectively disqualifies eligible donors from contributing to this life-saving practice and is discriminatory.

I will continue to support local, State and Federal efforts that challenge this ban.”