Every two seconds someone in the United States is in need of blood and more than 41,000 blood donations are needed everyday, according to the Red Cross. Even with these numbers the FDA is still turning away donors on irrelevant bases.

On Dec. 23, the FDA decided to revise the ban, inhibiting them from giving for a year after having sex. However, continuing any restrictions will perpetuate the message gay people are second class citizens. Since 1977,  the FDA has banned homosexual men, defined as those who have had sex with another man at least once in their life, from donating, according to the Human Rights Campaign. The creation of this regulation was sparked by fear in the early years of the AIDS epidemic. During this time the disease was closely linked with the gay community which led to heavy homophobia.   

According to the FDA blood is not transfused unless all infectious disease testing is found to be negative, showing the basis for this rule is illegitimate.

High schools and colleges make up 20 percent of all donated blood every year. Park hosts one drive per semester. Teens questioning their sexuality are given the message their sexuality may be harmful to others.

With all blood being tested this law is unwarranted. Students can visit the Blood Drive Campaign for Donor Equality website for ideas on how to help change be realized for this issue.