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| Photo Credit- www. slate.com |
The United States government on Monday lifted its 30-year ban on blood donations by gay men, saying they can now donate 12 months after their last sexual contact with another man.
The Food and Drug Administration said its decision to reverse the policy was based on an examination of the latest science which shows that an indefinite ban is not necessary to prevent transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
The blood ban has been a sore point for the gay community in the U.S for many years.
Last month, Twitter Headquarters issued directives to stop blood drives in all its branches because one of their gay employees was not allowed to donate blood
And even though the updated policy seems like progress, gay rights advocates maintain that the policy remains discriminatory.
Nevertheless, this move brings the United States in line with countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand which also have 12-month deferrment periods.
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