Andy Cohen: They Won’t Let Me Donate Blood Because I’m A Gay Man!

Andy Cohen

Andy Cohen: They Won’t Let Me Donate Blood Because I’m A Gay Man!

“Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen just recently recovered from the coronavirus, so it makes sense that he wants to help find a cure for others battling the coronavirus. Now Andy Cohen is speaking out about the discrimination that he and other members of the LGBTQ community are facing in the midst of the pandemic.

In a video posted to his Instagram page today (April 24), Andy Cohen says that he was looking into ways to help those still battling the coronavirus and found that COVID-19 survivors could donate their plasma, which is rich in antibodies. Cohen says,

“Due to antiquated discriminatory guidelines by the FDA to prevent HIV, I am ineligible to donate blood because I am a gay man. Even the relaxed rules require gay men to abstain from sex for 3 months whether they’re in a monogamous relationship or not before giving blood. Though no such blanket restrictions exists for people of other sexual orientations. “

The donation rules from the FDA is pretty disappointing to Andy, given that he wanted to help as much as he could. Unfortunately, the FDA has policies that could deter gay men from helping out during the pandemic. This news comes after Andy announced to ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ fans on Instagram that the Season 12 reunion was going to be virtual. Andy posted to his Instagram describing the virtual reunion as “epic” and needing a shot of tequila after hosting the reunion.

What do you guys think about Andy Cohen and other gay men being discriminated against for donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.