On 1/27/23 The FDA released an updated draft guidance for Blood Donation The new policy removes all gendered text, including the MSM deferment policy Additionally, with trans women and AMAB non-binary donors are able to donate without being subject to policies intended to be applied to queer men
*this policy is NOT implemented, and will not be until the period for public comment a vote is held*
Find our Sample Comments and Submit Your own to the FDA Here

Welcome to Pride & Plasma

We're here to fight discriminatory policies impacting the queer community in healthcare
We started in May of 2022 with the FDA's Blood Ban that prevents queer men from giving blood. In January of 2023, we'll be expanding our work to the FDA's Tissue Ban on queer men, along with deferment policies impacting trans and nonbinary donors

Currently, sexually active queer men cannot donate blood if they've participated within the past 3 months. There are no exceptions for monogamous relationships, protected sex, or negative STI test results. Not only do current scientific findings reject these policies, but these regulations are not applied to heterosexual individuals in the same way. This policy is discriminatory and wrong, and we are working to bring bring it to an end. 

Also, queer men are banned from donating tissues and organs if they have been sexually active, even once, within the past 5 years. There is no way that this policy can be justified- with 8,000 people dying every day waiting for organ donations.
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Additionally, many trans women and non-binary donors are classified as men under the screening process at blood donation facilities. Trans and non-binary donors deserve to give blood without being misgendered or treated differently. 

Why now?

The FDA has banned queer men from donating blood in some form since 1985. This ban is not backed in science and only exacerbates the current blood shortage.
We can't fight for the right for queer men to donate blood without also working to ensure equality for trans and nonbinary donors. 
Patients die everyday while waiting for organ donations. Queer men are barred from donating certain organs, even in death, if they've been sexually active in the past 5 years- this is discriminatory just like the blood ban. It needs to end. 

How

Our Standard Process:
  • Research the issues- Use science to prove how and why these policies are unnecessary, discriminatory, and wrong
  • Educate- the majority of Americans aren't aware of the issues because they don't affect them directly
  • Mobilize & Partner- provide an opportunity public opinion to be voiced, work with outside organizations to spread the word and strengthen our campaigns
  • Argue and Present our Evidence for a change in policy

How Can You Help?

We need as much help as we can get to spread the word and end the ban. Share our work, tell your friends, sign our petitions. We can't do this alone. 

We are always looking to build our team- we are recruiting campus ambassadors from colleges and universities, project leads, and area coordinators. 

If you've got an idea, we'd love to discuss. Learn more on our "Join Our Team" page

What is our end goal?

Simple- end the bans. 
  • Treat all donors the same- remove all blood donation deferment policies and screening questions related to sexuality.
    • Allow for queer men to donate their organs regardless of sexual activity status prior to death. Treat all donors the same. 
  • Allow Trans and Non-binary donors to donate blood as their true gender. Remove policies that defer and classify donors based on the gender assigned at birth.