Why does the FDA not allow gay men to donate blood?

So I was reading this article on Newsweek's website a few weeks ago, and found out that FDA won't allow gay men to donate blood because they have a "higher risk of AIDS/HIV than heterosexual males." This makes absolutely no sense to me. From what I've researched, all blood samples go through rigorous testing/cleaning before being donated to someone who needs a transfusion. So why does the FDA ban gay men from donating?

Actually, they ask males if they've had any sexual relations with another male within the past... I think it was thirty-something... years. That just seems ridiculous.

I'm sure they just don't want to take a chance with a 'higher risk' group...plus the fact that their (incorrect) perception of gay males is that they have EXTREME AMOUNTS of anonymous gay sex...

because they SAY that gay and lesbians have a more chance of having HIV and Aids and they don't want to take the chance and give it to other people. but its pretty much bulls*hit because straight people have just the same amount of aids as straight men do.

Its a complete misconception but its untrue because there are just the same amount of aids ridden hetero's as their are gay people.

Another common stereotype :P

Yes gay men run a higher risk for HIV/AIDS and they do, do rigurous testing but the HIV can stay dormant and therefore not present itself in the testing. The only way for them to know the blood is NOT HIV positive is to sit around with the blood for 9 months and test is every 3 months. It would take too much time and money to hold onto bags of blood for testing when people need blood now. I'm lesbian and have donated blood once the last time I went they said I got my tattoo too close to trying to give blood so I couldn't. It sucks b/c I know many people that would love to help out.

The screening process isn't 100% reliable. In 2006 there were 223 cases of people getting HIV from blood transfusions. So the FDA does what it can to lower the risk. One way is to ban people who have a high risk of HIV from donating blood. So gay men and people who inject drugs can't donate.

Think about it. Would you sentence hundreds of innocent people to death by HIV every year just so a few gay men can feel good about themselves?

ooh! i saw it first hand!
there was a blood drive in my in school recently, and many of us went to donate.
my friend was not allowed to give blood because he had already had sex, but i was allowed (virgin and wot-not)! they asked about my tattoo too, but i had it done three years ago.

Prejudice and laziness - people who've had ANY sex shouldn't donate blood if the testers really want to make it easier on themselves...

im pretty sure thats not true... nothing agains gay people but yes they are more prone to aids but they test for that so thats a bunch of bull that they dont let homosexual males donate blood....

That's why so many gay men are mad.

I personally think it's not fair. Our GSA is writing a letter to Congress. And sending a petition.

Because when the rules were written it was not as easy to detect HIV/AIDS. It is an out dated rule that needs changed.

I didn't know they did ban gay men from donating. In fact when I have donated in the past they never asked what my sexual preference was

Gay men have the highest rate of AIDS, don't know why they can't just test the blood first.

Because of misinformation and bias. Just my view.