Cianciotto Speaks Out Against Ban on Gay Blood Donors

By: Phillip Witteveen | Date: September 30, 2013
Cianciotto Speaks Out Against Ban on Gay Blood Donors

In a widely syndicated article drawing attention to the federal law that bans gay and bisexual men from ever donating blood, the Associated Press quoted LGBT Youth in America's Schools co-author Jason Cianciotto as a prominent voice advocating for an end to the prohibition. The ban dates back to the early years of the AIDS epidemic, but has begun to meet resistance from the American Medical Association and has led to boycotts of blood drives on college campuses.

The issue raised by these activists is that the ban does not rest on any kind of well enough researched and scientific basis to impinge so markedly on the freedoms of American citizens. The ban "perpetuates the stigma that gay and bisexual men are dangerous to public health," said Cianciotto. This contention is currently being taken up in studies by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Cianciotto, however, adds that "We do not think HHS is moving fast enough."

The full AP article is available at NPR and at other news sources.