Gay Rep Mark Pocan donated blood. He brought liberals & conservatives together for once

In 1983, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned all men who had sex with other men since 1977 from donating blood as well as women who had sex with any men who had also had sex with other men. After years of minor tweaks to the policy, this year, the policy was changed to focus on the number of sexual partners a potential donor has had in the previous three months instead of blanket bans focused on the gender of sexual partners.

Yesterday, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), one of the few gay members of Congress, joyfully tweeted a photo of himself donating blood with the caption, “First time giving blood since the ban on gay men giving blood was lifted!”

Related:

This artist uses queer people’s blood to advocate for equality

From honoring the trauma of the AIDS crisis to combating the FDA’s blood donation policy, Eagles’ work is illuminating, both literally and figuratively.

Instead of the normal toxic responses from rightwing trolls, the tweet was met with a chorus of praise from both sides of the aisle — sometimes Twitter surprises us.

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Since the recently changed policy went into effect, donors are now asked if they’ve had more than one sexual partner or a new sexual partner in the previous three months. People who have will be deferred, regardless of their or their partners’ genders. People taking PrEP are also not eligible for blood donation.

First time giving blood since the ban on gay men giving blood was lifted! pic.twitter.com/AZkF492mXs

— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) June 22, 2023

Thank you. My son has a blood cancer. He’s needed transfusions. The blood bank screens blood before using. I’m grateful to all donors

— Kodibear (@alkikodibear) June 23, 2023

Having been on the receiving end; Thank you!

— David Dare2BDull Greenberg (@dagreenbe) June 22, 2023

Thank you for your gift of life.

— Ann Barber (@decaturann) June 22, 2023

Awesome!!! When was it lifted?? How did I miss that news

— 🇺🇦 It’s Turtles All The Way Down 🏳️‍🌈 (@exogeologist) June 22, 2023

All blood is tested the same, and transmission of HIV to recipients. Incidents are extremely rare, and other demographics similarly or at higher risk are allowed to donate freely.https://t.co/m5S4rJDLQ3

— Palmer (@onetinmathew) June 22, 2023

As the wife of a husband who gets transfused twice a month, thank you💜💜

— RoxysMom (@dmilano_58) June 23, 2023

Thank you for your kindness and service.💙

— Cheryl Price (@cherylprice) June 22, 2023

pic.twitter.com/t62PCAKZUZ

— Wingzero871 (@DarrenRobinso15) June 23, 2023