Gays Banned from Donating Blood?

Kevin Winge wrote Bad Policy: Banning Gays from Donating Blood.

"for the past 27 years men who have engaged in sex with men have been banned from donating blood in the United States."

"Last week, 18 U.S. senators called for an end to this discriminatory practice, including Minnesota’s junior senator, Al Franken. The senators cite the support of the American Red Cross, which in 2006 joined other blood banks in calling the policy “medically and scientifically unwarranted.” The nation’s blood supply is safe from HIV, so why don’t more elected officials call for the lifting of this ban? Why doesn’t the Food and Drug Administration end a policy that no longer serves a purpose? Why don’t our leaders use this as an opportunity to educate the public about the realities of HIV/AIDS rather than creating a false impression that the blood supply is somehow safer because gay men can’t give blood?"