(Photo from The Center Orlando’s Facebook page)
Three of the nation’s largest blood centers — Vitalant, OneBlood and the American Red Cross — are seeking participants to join a new groundbreaking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) funded study to consider new approaches for determining blood donation eligibility for men who have sex with men (MSM).
To gather the necessary data the blood centers are partnering with LGBTQ Centers in eight cities across the nation, including OneBlood partnering with the LGBT+ Center Orlando.
If you are a gay or bisexual male between 18-30 years old and interested in becoming a blood donor, you may be eligible to participate and earn up to $85.
The study will enroll a total of 2,000 gay and bisexual men (250–300 from each area) who meet the study eligibility criteria.
The FDA’s current guidelines prevent MSM from donating blood unless they have not been sexually active for at least three months. Last year, U.S. Reps. Val Demings (FL-10) and Mike Quigley (IL-5) attempted to remove the ban by introducing a bill that would allow blood donations nationwide regardless of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
For more information and to register, visit ADVANCEstudy.org.
