Gay Man Isn’t Having Sex For A Full Year So He Can Donate Blood

"The hardest part... is laying to next to my boyfriend and being like, ‘Night, babe,’ and just going to sleep."

From: NewNowNext

After the tragedy in Orlando, thousands flocked to area blood banks to donate. That gay men couldn’t contribute was a cruel reality that’s revived the debate about federal guidelines on blood donation.

Last year, the FDA updated its regulations from a lifetime ban to a year of abstinence—which, for most people, is a difference without a distinction.

Enter 21-year-old college student Jay Franzone, who began a 12-month sex fast in December so he can donate blood without breaking the rules.

“Being abstinent for a year is a crazy thing to ask of people,” Franzone told BuzzFeed. “The hardest part… is laying to next to my boyfriend and being like, ‘Night, babe,’ and just going to sleep.”

Missing #boston already but so happy I get to see this guy tonight. #movedout #byeboston #missyou #prudentialcenter #johnhancock

A photo posted by Jay Franzone (@jayfranzone) on May 6, 2016 at 4:07pm PDT

When new of the massacre at Pulse nightclub spread, there were reports local blood banks were lifting the ban on gay donors. That turned out not to be true, but a bill authored by Rep. Mike Honda last week asked for flexibility during time of crisis.

And next week, more than 100 members of Congress are expected to sign a letter urging the FDA to change its policy to one based on personal risk factors rather than sexual orientation.

“It is our view that this tragedy, more than any other, shines a light on the need for a permanent reversal of this policy,” says the letter, which has signees from both sides of the aisle. “The 12-month celibacy requirement is unrealistic for most healthy gay and bisexual men to meet.”

Franzone says gay men want to help in times of need, especially when our community is targeted. “We want to be there. But we can’t because we’re gay. Discrimination is still alive and well in outdated federal policies.”

I don’t think that me being abstinent for a year will result in FDA changing the policy, but I think this will increase the conversation,” says Franzone, a political communications major at Lasell College and spokesman for the National Gay Blood Drive.

“I don’t want to say I’m doing this for press, but I know this will get attention, and this policy needs to be looked at.”