LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Four In Your Corner's Malcolm Johnson spoke with one Southwest Florida man who was turned away from giving blood because he is gay.
Luis Crodero was dedicated to giving blood to help the victims of the Orlando shooting after reading about it on the news.
"I wasn't able to donate blood and help my brothers and sisters out there that did get hurt in this big mass shooting that did happen in Orlando, Florida, and I just feel very upset" he said.
Upset because neither OneBlood or Lee Memorial accepted his blood because he's had sex with other men.
A representative with OneBlood told Fox 4 they follow the rules and guidelines of the FDA. But just a few months ago the FDA lifted its lifetime ban on accepting blood donations from men who have had sex with other men. The FDA now states that if you didn't have sex within the last 12 months you are able to donate.
And for Luis, it has been more than 12 months. OneBlood says they are working to update their process and procedures, and update staff and technology so they can implement the new policy this year.
Luis thinks agencies should remove any policies stigmatizing gay men and preventing them from donating blood.
"Or even if we were to show proof that we are clean and we are HIV negative that we can donate blood".
The FDA's new policy went into effect last month.
