U.S. Lifts Restrictions on Blood Donations by Gay and Bisexual Men; Chris Van Bieber Makes History with First Blood Donation

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.

However, in May of this year, the FDA announced that it was lifting all restrictions on blood donations by gay and bisexual men, and in August it introduced a new risk assessment tool for blood donations. This change means that every donor will be evaluated the same way, regardless of an individual's sexual orientation or identity. For Van Bibber, it was not only a historic moment, but also a personal victory, as he was finally able to donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood Donor Center in his hometown.

Van Bibber told ABC News that he is thrilled and relieved to finally be able to do his part. He believes that even a small thing can make a big difference. Public health experts and gay rights activists have long called for a change in the policy, arguing that it is based on group risk rather than individual risk and exacerbates stigma and discrimination against specific groups.

In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, the inability to screen blood donations for HIV led to a number of cases of HIV infection through blood transfusions. This prompted the FDA to implement a lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men. As technology improved and universal HIV testing became available for all blood donations, there was a delay in changing the policy until the total ban was repealed in 2015 and the abstinence period was shortened to 90 days in 2020.

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.