New study could make it possible for more gay men to donate blood Share Updated: 8:40 AM CDT May 22, 2021 By WESH Share Updated: 8:40 AM CDT May 22, 2021
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Show Transcript PARKER-BOWLES. STEWART: A NEW STUDY MAY MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE GAY MEN TO DONATE BLOOD. ONLY RECENTLY WHERE WERE GAY MEN ALLOWED TO DONATE BLOOD. MICHELLE MEREDITH EXPLAINS. [SIRENS] MICHELLE: JUNE 12, 2016, THE PULSE MASSACRE. 49 PEOPLE DEAD, DOZENS INJURED, TO HELP PEOPLE STOOD IN LONG LINES TO DONATE BLOOD. BUT MANY GAY MEN WERE IN FOR A SHOCK. SINCE THE 1980’S, BLOOD DONATED FROM GAY MEN WAS NOT ACCEPTED A BAN THAT STARTED DURING THE AIDS EPIDEMIC. BECAUSE THERE WERE NO GOOD TESTS FOR HIV TO TEST THE BLOOD WITH AN THE DISEASE WAS A LOT LIKE COVID WHERE THERE WAS NOT A LOT KNOWN ABOUT IT, AND UNLIKE COVID, IT COULD SPREAD THROUGH THE BLOOD SUPPLY. MICHELLE: ONLY IN 2015 DID THE FDA LIFT THE BAN TO DONATE BLOOD WITH STRICT GUIDELINES, IF THE GAY