Last December, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reversed its longtime ban on bisexual and gay men donating blood. But the reversal of the ban had one major caveat: Under current FDA standards, any man who’s had sex with another man in the last 12 months is still not permitted to donate blood.
While many gay rights activists activists were thrilled that the FDA had repealed the ban, many still found the updated regulations discriminatory not to mention impractical.
“The reality for most gay and bisexual men—including those in committed, monogamous relationships—is that this proposal will continue to function as a de facto lifetime ban,” Ian Thompson, a representative for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), told the Wall Street Journal.
If you’re a gay man who wants to donate blood, but you don’t think you can fulfill the year-long celibacy requirement, actor Alan Cumming is here to help you out. Cumming and the good folks at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) have teamed up to make a list of approved activities that will quench that fire in your loins, so you can give blood according to FDA standards.
Introducing the Celibacy Challenge:
In the sarcastic PSA, Cumming demonstrates how gay blood donors can sublimate those pesky sexual urges by engaging in a hobby, such as making phallic pots or drilling into a hard, long piece of oak.
If you’re still looking for a way to get physical, never fear. You can dust off that old Shake Weight, or work on your downward dog.
But if celibacy isn’t your jam, and you still wanna save lives by donating blood, GLAAD and the Gay Men’s Health Crisis have created a petition over at celibacychallenge.com. Add your signature and “pressure the FDA to screen all prospective blood donors based on risk, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” Remember, saving lives and having an active sex life aren’t mutually exclusive.
H/T Towleroad | Photo via GLAAD/YouTube