Rhode Island Blood Center begins new screening process open to the LGBTQ+ community

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Blood Center began a new donor screening process Monday that’s no longer focused on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The new policy will be based on individual donor assessment, allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood.

The change follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision to establish a policy based on individual donor assessment.

Going forward, donors will be asked about their number of recent sexual partners and sexual behavior, rather than sexual orientation and gender identity.

The RIBC now updated donor history questionnaires and computer systems regulated by the FDA. A complete list of what questions to expect can be found online.

“This change in blood donation guidelines at the federal level represents an important step toward a blood donation process that treats all potential donors, and specifically gay and
bisexual men, with equality and respect,” said Dr. Philip Chan with the Rhode Island Department of Health.

The RIBC said the new policy aligns with a blood emergency amid a shortage of donors.

They attributed the low turnout to the Labor Day holiday and back-to-school activities, and an existing decline in both youth and first-time donors.

“Rhode Island Blood Center has long advocated for scientifically-based changes to the FDA policies regarding gay and bisexual men and this is one step toward making blood donation more inclusive,” said spokesperson Caitlin Grimaldi-Flick.

“We look forward to welcoming these new donors to our centers and blood drives, especially following a tough summer with low donor turnout,” she said. “We also recognize this is just the beginning in making blood donation more inclusive.”