1/7/2025: 8:00am EST
On 1/6/25, the FDA released 6 updated guidelines, the first revisions to tissue donor eligibility since 1994. The new rules remove not only all gendered language from the tissue donation eligibility criteria but completely remove the MSM (men who have sex with men) provision, what we at Pride and Plasma refer to as “the Queer Tissue Ban”. These new policies are segregated by infection, with the policies governing HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C of note for our advocacy.
This policy, when implemented in 1994, was intended to prevent widespread transmission of HIV (and subsequently Hepatitis B) through the nation’s tissue supply. The science and medical practices of the 1990s and the HIV/AIDS crisis have changed, it is past time that policy should follow. Discrimination has no place in healthcare. The federal government's lack of action, for over three decades, deprived generations of queer men of their dying wish- to help others after death and to donate their tissues.
This policy, although intended for queer men, frequently has been applied to transgender women, nonbinary individuals, and other gender-diverse donors. The removal of the MSM deferral period will increase eligibility for these members of the queer community.
For the first time since 1994, queer men will have the opportunity to donate their tissues. These updated policies are directly in line with the individual risk assessment in practice for blood donation- a change that has shown no increase in transmission of infections following global implementation. Now, donors in monogamous relationships, those who participate in oral sex will be permitted to give the gift of life. Of note, this change will have a significant impact on sperm donation, where quarantine capabilities may allow donors to give despite sexual activity criteria, helping members of our community start their families through donor-assisted reproduction.
Although we are grateful that the FDA has chosen to listen to stakeholders, experts, other countries, and the science of biologics donation, this policy should not have taken three decades to end. We should not have to fight this hard to do something as selfless as donating tissues, during or after life. Donors with new or multiple partners may still be impacted by this policy. Despite this win, the fight for equality in health care and biologics is far from over.
Next, these policies will require a public comment period. We will need every ally to push the FDA to finalize these documents and to promote rapid implementation for tissue banks. We urge the FDA and tissue banks to be transparent about the number of donors impacted by this policy.
Thank you to everyone who donated, signed a petition, registered as a donor, talked about the issue, shared a post, and supported us along the way. We could not have done it without you.
In solidarity,
Cole Williams
RN-BSN // Founder
Pride and Plasma
On 1/6/25, the FDA released 6 updated guidelines, the first revisions to tissue donor eligibility since 1994. The new rules remove not only all gendered language from the tissue donation eligibility criteria but completely remove the MSM (men who have sex with men) provision, what we at Pride and Plasma refer to as “the Queer Tissue Ban”. These new policies are segregated by infection, with the policies governing HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C of note for our advocacy.
This policy, when implemented in 1994, was intended to prevent widespread transmission of HIV (and subsequently Hepatitis B) through the nation’s tissue supply. The science and medical practices of the 1990s and the HIV/AIDS crisis have changed, it is past time that policy should follow. Discrimination has no place in healthcare. The federal government's lack of action, for over three decades, deprived generations of queer men of their dying wish- to help others after death and to donate their tissues.
This policy, although intended for queer men, frequently has been applied to transgender women, nonbinary individuals, and other gender-diverse donors. The removal of the MSM deferral period will increase eligibility for these members of the queer community.
For the first time since 1994, queer men will have the opportunity to donate their tissues. These updated policies are directly in line with the individual risk assessment in practice for blood donation- a change that has shown no increase in transmission of infections following global implementation. Now, donors in monogamous relationships, those who participate in oral sex will be permitted to give the gift of life. Of note, this change will have a significant impact on sperm donation, where quarantine capabilities may allow donors to give despite sexual activity criteria, helping members of our community start their families through donor-assisted reproduction.
Although we are grateful that the FDA has chosen to listen to stakeholders, experts, other countries, and the science of biologics donation, this policy should not have taken three decades to end. We should not have to fight this hard to do something as selfless as donating tissues, during or after life. Donors with new or multiple partners may still be impacted by this policy. Despite this win, the fight for equality in health care and biologics is far from over.
Next, these policies will require a public comment period. We will need every ally to push the FDA to finalize these documents and to promote rapid implementation for tissue banks. We urge the FDA and tissue banks to be transparent about the number of donors impacted by this policy.
Thank you to everyone who donated, signed a petition, registered as a donor, talked about the issue, shared a post, and supported us along the way. We could not have done it without you.
In solidarity,
Cole Williams
RN-BSN // Founder
Pride and Plasma