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Reverend Rick Hoyt-McDaniels used to donate regularly when he was in college in the early 1980s until Food and Drug Administration rules made him ineligible to give. Even when he was excluded from donating blood, Rick continued to give in other ways by organizing blood drives at the church where he serves as a minister.
The FDA’s elimination of blood donation policies based on sexual orientation means that Rick can finally start giving blood again. This change means many healthy individuals who previously could not give are now able to support their community through the gift of blood donation.
“For 40 years I gave in other ways, as I could, but I was locked out from donating blood,” says Rick. “I had watched and waited for the rule to change, and it finally did.”
Now, all potential donors see the same questions related to eligibility through a new health history questionnaire adopted by all blood collection organizations in the U.S. The new, standardized guidelines assess donors based on their own personal risk factors, not on sexual orientation.
“The Red Cross team was friendly and grateful, just as I remembered, and generous with the snacks afterward,” Rick said. “I felt cared for and appreciated. And I got a T-shirt! I was part of the solution again, invited, encouraged, and finally again, allowed to do my part.”
Rick is one of many healthy individuals now able to give blood after the FDA eliminated blood donation policies based on sexual orientation. The American Red Cross is excited for this change that allows more people to give and keeps the blood supply safe.
Interested in learning more? Check out the LGBTQ+ Donors page or the Donor Eligibility page for more information. Want to join in celebrating this historic moment? Schedule your next donation appointment now!