National gay blood drive fights to change FDA ban
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CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) - The first National Gay Blood Drive was held on Friday to raise awareness to the fact that gay men are not allowed to donate blood.
The FDA ban dates back more than 30 years and while medicine and science have made great strides since then, many feel the policy is still stuck in the 80s.
The Hoxworth Blood Center at the University of Cincinnati invited gay and bisexual men to bring family, friends and other supporters to donate on their behalf.
Blood drives like this one were held in 61 cities across the country on Friday in a movement to push the FDA to change the rule.
"It's disappointing because I know that my behavior is not risky enough that I could contaminate my blood," said Joshua Neumeyer.
Canada and the United Kingdom have revised their policies regarding gay men's ability to donate blood.
A petition has been set up to call on the White House to end the ban. You can sign it here: gayblooddrive.com
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