Dr. Chan marks new LGBTQ+ donor screening by giving blood

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Department of Health Medical Consultant Philip Chan donated blood Wednesday afternoon at the state’s blood center, marking more flexible protocols in LGBTQ+ donor screening.

The FDA recently approved new policies that would ask potential LGBTQ+ donors about their recent sexual partners and behavior. Before, it was solely based on sexual orientation or how an individual’s identifies.

“The step the FDA did was removing some of the criteria based on sexual orientation and making it more risk-based,” Chan said.

Rhode Island Blood Center’s Caitlin Grimaldi-Flick said they are at “critical” levels for blood donations.

“Nowadays with the science and the information we have, we know this is a safe process,” she said. “So, we’re really excited to focus on the individual rather than a persons sexuality.”

Stephen Hogan of AIDS Care Ocean State told ABC 6 News the new policy should wipe some of the stigma the LGBTQ+ has dealt with since the 1980s.

“This is awesome,” Hogan said. “There is always a shortage of blood. You see commercials and they were disqualifying a huge group of people, 10 percent or more weren’t able to donate.”

The Rhode Island Blood Center said anyone can come forward for screening as a possible blood donor.