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Finally, 32-year-old ban has been repealed by Food and Drug Administration on gay men donating blood. However, the only caveat is that the man donating the blood should not have had sex in the last 12 months. This uplifting of the ban overturned a policy that was followed for over three decades in which the men could not donate blood regardless of how long they have remained abstinent. "Ultimately, the 12-month deferral window is supported by the best available scientific evidence, at this point in time, relevant to the U.S. population," Dr. Peter Marks, deputy director of the FDA's biologics division, said in a statement, as reported by Business Insider
KESQ enquired further on the matter when they went to Palm Springs to ask the local gay about their opinion on the matter. "Good luck on that one, because that would never pan out, if you're going to be celibate for a year, I don't know too many men who would be that way," said Steve Costlow of Palm Springs.

"You know you are judging somebody on a determination if they are having protected or unprotected sex, so I don't think you can make a difference on the heterosexual community and the gay community, I just don't think it's right," said Brandon Holland of Palm Springs.

"There is so much need for blood and so many people don't even think about it, so any time we can get more people to donate blood, why not," said Paul Hamel Palm Springs.

Despite the FDA approval, some gay rights activists were not very pleased with a 12-month deferral policy that required these men to celibate for a year before they can be allowed to give blood. The National Gay Blood Drive said that while they are happy about the FDA's updated approach, the new policy is still discriminatory, reported Washington Post