The FDA restricts gay men who have had sexual contact with another man in the past 12 months from giving blood. Yet friends, loved ones and even spouses of those injured were unable to give blood, Polis said. One of the lawmakers to speak Tuesday, Colorado Rep. Jared Polis, who is openly gay, has been fighting to overturn this policy. (CNN) Two Democratic lawmakers joined the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and others Tuesday in urging the Food and Drug Administration to change its blood donation policy. He said blood donation screening should be based on science and a donor's safe and monogamous sexual behavior, no matter their orientation.

Source: CNN June 28, 2016 21:22 UTC