Leading LGBTQ+ media advocacy group, GLAAD has announced a summer blood donation campaign called “Summer of Giving,” running now until September 4, 2024.
GLAAD is partnering with America’s Blood Centers, a national organization of community-based, independent blood centers for the campaign which “focuses on advocacy and education and implementation of new [Food and Drug Administration] guidance that expands blood donor eligibility to more LGBTQ people, especially for gay and bisexual men who, in the past, have faced discrimination around blood donor eligibility,” according to GLAAD’s official statement.
The initiative celebrates a more inclusive approach to evaluating blood donors ahead of donations. In May of 2023 the FDA approved the removal of time-based deferrals and screening questions specifically targeted at men who have sex with men (MSM) and women who have sex with MSM, and expanded initial risk-based questions to all prospective donors.
Under the final FDA guidance, after all prospective blood donors answer a series of individual, risk-based questions to determine eligibility, those who report having a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner in the past three months, and anal sex in the past three months, would be deferred to reduce the likelihood of donations by individuals with new or recent HIV infection who may be in the window period for detection of HIV by nucleic acid testing.
Additionally, potential donors who have taken PrEP or PEP are deferred for three months from their most recent dose, and those who have taken PrEP or PEP by injection are deferred for two years from their most recent injection. Furthermore, any individual who has ever taken medication to treat HIV is permanently deferred.
According to GLAAD: “This initiative encourages businesses to host blood drives and all eligible individuals to donate blood in recognition of recent eligibility changes that promote fairness and inclusivity in the donation process while maintaining the safety of the blood supply.”
