Groups call on Utah congressional delegation to urge FDA to change blood donation guidelines

A coalition of organizations throughout Utah is calling on Utah’s Congressional delegation to urge the Food and Drug Administration to implement policies that allow members of the LGBTQ community to give blood.

A wide-ranging group of organizations, from civic groups to LGBTQ organizations, released an open letter to Utah’s congressional delegation asking for their support in eliminating decades old practices that the groups call discriminatory.

Turner C. Bitton, president of the Utah Center for Civic Improvement released the following statement on behalf of the groups:

“During a time of national crisis when the medical system and blood banks are facing critical shortages, every Utahn should have the opportunity to exercise their civic duty to give blood. The FDA’s guidance, while recently improved, is still discriminatory and acts as a barrier to LGBTQ Utahns trying to fulfil their civic duty.”

“The coronavirus crisis is leaving a lasting and damaging impact on the nation’s blood supply. Blood drives throughout the country have been canceled, resulting in a decrease of roughly 130,000 donations,” the letter stated. “Utahns are known for our generosity and volunteerism iiand yet, as recently as January of this year, the Red Cross of Utah was facing a ‘critical blood shortage.’ A multitude of federal, state, and local officials, including Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams and Dr. Brett Giroir, Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, have publicly encouraged people to donate blood.”

“The FDA’s antiquated policy is not based on current science, stigmatizes the LGBTQ community, and undermines crucial efforts to increase the nation’s blood supply as the United States grapples with COVID-19,” the letter continued.

The groups join a chorus of national leaders and organizations who have called for an end to the discriminatory policies. The group is distributing the letter to each member of Utah’s Congressional delegation by mail due to social distancing guidelines.

“Utahns across the state, including many members of the LGBTQ community, stand ready to rise to the challenges of the coronavirus crisis. It will take leadership from Congress, in partnership with the President, to allow them to do their civic duty to save lives through blood donation,” the letter finished.