美國取消對同性戀和雙性戀男性捐血的限制，克里斯·範·比伯首次捐血創歷史

For the past decade, Chris Van Bieber has faced the restriction of not being able to donate blood. The 35-year-old male from Salt Lake City, Utah, is prohibited from donating blood under a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation due to his openly gay status. This regulation is based on the potential risk posed by sexually active gay men, regardless of the actual health status of the individual.

然而，今年5月，FDA宣布取消了對同性戀和雙性戀男性捐血的所有限制，並在8月推出了一種新的捐血風險評估工具。這一變化意味著，無論個人的性取向或身份如何，每個捐血者都將接受相同的評估。對範比伯來說，這不僅是一個歷史性的時刻，也是一次個人的勝利，他終於能夠在家鄉的美國紅十字會捐血中心捐血。

範比伯對美國廣播公司新聞表示，他對於終於能夠貢獻自己的一份力量感到非常興奮和如釋重負。他認為，即使是一件小事，也能產生巨大的影響。公共衛生專家和同性戀權利活動人士長期以來一直在呼籲改變這一政策，認為它基於群體風險而非個人風險，並加劇了對特定群體的恥辱和歧視。

在愛滋病流行初期，由於捐血無法篩檢出愛滋病毒，導致一些透過輸血感染愛滋病毒的病例。這促使FDA實施了終身禁止同性戀和雙性戀男性以及男男性行為女性捐血的政策。隨著科技進步，所有捐血都能進行普遍的愛滋病毒檢測，但相關政策卻遲遲未見改變，直到2015年全面禁令被廢除，並在2020年將禁慾期縮短至90天。

For Fan Bieber, the desire to donate blood stems in part from family history. His mother had life-threatening complications when he was born and needed to donate blood to save her life. From a young age, Van Beber understood the importance of blood donation, especially since his blood type is O-negative and can be used for transfusions of any blood type. However, due to previous policies, he was never able to participate in his family's blood drive, which made him feel like an outsider.

This year's policy change is a major step forward not only for Van Bibber, but also for many others who are opening their doors. The new Blood Donor Risk Assessment Tool asks all donors if they have had a new or multiple sexual partners in the past three months, with a deferral for those who have a history of anal sex during that time. This change makes it possible for more people to become involved in blood donation and help solve the blood supply problem.

Despite this, Van Bibber and others believe there is more work to be done, especially in expanding eligibility for blood donation for patients on PrEP medications. This would be a step forward, not only in reducing stigma and discrimination, but also in encouraging more people to donate blood, thereby safeguarding the blood supply.

With the implementation of this new policy, we look forward to a more inclusive and just society, one where everyone can contribute according to their abilities.