U.S. Cities to Hold Gay Blood Drive Urging FDA to Change Blood Ban and Helping Save Lives
Nationwide, United States of America (PRWEB) July 10, 2014 -- Since 1983, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned gay and bisexual men from donating blood. Men who have had sexual contact with men (MSM donors) are deferred by the FDA for life, and every blood bank in the U.S. is mandated to comply with this policy.
Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood; however, millions of healthy Americans are not allowed to donate due to the FDA policy. In response, the National Gay Blood Drive will take place in more than 60 U.S. cities on Friday, July 11 to bring attention to the ban and help save lives. The drive – which is open to everyone – is organized by filmmaker and activist Ryan James Yezak with the help of local leaders and volunteers from participating cities.
Yezak organized the drive for the first time last year when he was unable to speak to the FDA about the ban for his documentary Second Class Citizens (http://www.2ndclassfilm.com/).
“The policy is outdated, and as a result, otherwise eligible gay and bisexual men are unable to contribute to the nation’s blood supply and help save lives,” said Yezak. “In addition, the ban perpetuates inaccurate stereotypes and a negative stigma about the gay male population. The current lifetime deferral focuses on sexual orientation, and we are calling on the FDA to change its policy so that it instead focuses on sexual behavior and individual risk.”
While hundreds of gay and bisexual men across the country took part in last year’s drive, Yezak was most surprised by participation from a nearly equivalent amount of allies, including lesbian and heterosexual individuals. Inspired by their support and involvement, Yezak decided to once again organize the National Gay Blood Drive, expanding it to show broad demographic support.
“This year, the drive’s goal is to get everyone involved – including our ally donors – to speak with a collective voice,” said Yezak. “Eligible allies can donate in place of the gay and bisexual men who cannot so that we not only raise awareness about the ban but also help contribute to the more than 41,000 blood donations needed every day. We want the FDA to see how our community can benefit the nation’s blood supply, but also see how much we can contribute even when we are banned.”
On the day of the drive, gay and bisexual men will come out to blood donation locations across 60 U.S. cities to show their willingness to contribute by bringing eligible allies to donate in their place. The gay and bisexual men will be able to write a message to the FDA, while the eligible allies can fill out a donor nametag with the name of the individual whose place they took. All participants will receive National Gay Blood Drive shirts and will be photographed together. Volunteers will then collect the messages and donor name tags and count them so that they can be sent to the FDA - visually conveying the contribution that the gay community can make to the nation’s blood supply if the ban is changed.
In conjunction with the National Gay Blood Drive, a White House Petition (http://whitehouse.gov/lF3SJ) was launched on July 1 that calls on the FDA to change its policy. If the Petition receives 100,000 signatures by July 30, President Obama’s administration will issue a response. Yezak believes that it is the most effective action possible right now to increase pressure on the FDA to change their policy.
Help us shed a nationwide light on this ban and get blood to those who need it. Watch the National Gay Blood Drive announcement video (http://youtu.be/4EL46g67DD0) for more information, and visit http://www.gayblooddrive.com to get involved and see a map of participating cities.
About The National Gay Blood Drive
There is a constant need for blood and donors are essential in maintaining an adequate supply. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bans gay and bisexual men from donating blood. On July 11, a nationwide blood drive will take place to bring attention to the ban and help save lives. Gay and bisexual men will show their willingness to contribute by bringing allies to donate in their place. This grassroots effort to create change cannot happen without you.
Sam Moore, National Gay Blood Drive, http://www.gayblooddrive.com/, +1 225-931-4081, [email protected]
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