The American Red Cross is now allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood without restrictions that specifically single out a person's sexual orientation or gender, the nonprofit group said Monday. The Red Cross is implementing new Food and Drug Administration screening guidelines that apply to all potential donors and are based on an individual risk assessment. The Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation's blood supply. Under the new FDA guidelines, men in monogamous sexual relationships with other men are eligible to donate as long as they meet other screening criteria. The Red Cross said in a statement that the organization understands the waiting period based on a history of anal sex appears to unfairly target gay and bisexual men.

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Organizations: Hoboken Rec, Food and Drug Administration, FDA Locations: Hoboken, Hoboken , New Jersey