“I was told that due to antiquated and discriminatory guidelines by the FDA to prevent HIV, I am ineligible to donate blood because I’m a gay man,” Cohen said, referring to laws that date back to the early 1980s, at the end of last night's Watch What Happens Live. He explained that “even the new relaxed rules require gay men to abstain from sex for three months, whether they’re in a monogamous relationship (as he is) or not, before giving blood,” noting that “no such blanket restrictions” are required for heterosexual donors. “Here’s the thing, this virus is ravaging our planet,” Cohen added. “The FDA says there’s an urgent need for plasma from survivors. All donated blood is screened for HIV. And a rapid HIV test can be done in 20 minutes or less. So why the three month rule? Why are members of my community being excluded from helping out when so many people are sick and dying?”
TOPICS: Andy Cohen, Bravo, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Coronavirus, Late Night, LGBTQ