Blood banks are calling for donations after a mass shooting in Orlando — but an outdated federal law prevents gay and bisexual men from contributing, angry critics said Sunday.
A shooter opened fire at the gay club, Pulse, killing at least 50 people and injuring dozens in the worst mass shooting in American history at 2 a.m. Sunday, authorities said.
But a federal policy from 1983 prohibits gay and bisexual men from helping fellow members of the LGBT community by donating blood.
“Gay. Men. In. Orlando. Can’t. Give. Blood. To. Their. Bleeding. Battered. Community. Dear @US_FDA, CHANGE THAT NOW,” Brian Gerald Murphy of the Legalize Trans campaign tweeted.
The blood-donation group OneBlood announced an “urgent need” for donations Sunday — and said it was accepting donations even from gay men.
“Dozens of people have been injured and taken to area hospitals. The need for blood continues. There is an urgent need for O negative, O positive and AB Plasma blood donors following a mass shooting in Orlando, Florida,” the organization said in a press release.
“All eligible O Negative, O Positive and AB donors are urged to please donate today,” OneBlood urged.
The group said it plans to comply with FDA guidelines.