MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Vermont lawmakers say they've done something no other state legislature has done.
The Vermont House overwhelmingly passed a resolution Tuesday, which urges the FDA to drop a lifetime ban on gay men donating blood.
The FDA, which controls the nation's blood supply, will hold a hearing about the policy later this month.
Supporters of lifting the ban say it's no longer needed.
Since he was old enough, John DeLamar says he has been ready to donate blood.
"I have always wanted to because I think it's important," says DeLamar.
But in 1986, the FDA, amid fears of AIDS and HIV, stopped DeLamar and any man who has sex with other men from ever giving blood.
"It's sort of just saying your sexuality is wrong," says DeLamar.
On Tuesday, Vermont lawmakers say they decided to help change that ban.
"I was really proud to see how this came about," says Vermont Representative Matthew Trieber, D-Windham.
Almost every single member of Vermont's House of Representatives voted to urge the FDA to lift the ban.
"What that does is increase the blood supply," says Vermont Representative Tom Burditt, R-Rutland.
The Red Cross says it supports eliminating the lifetime ban, instead replacing it with a more science-based policy while still protecting patients.
The Red Cross says with new HIV testing men should be able to give blood 12 months after having had sex with another man.
Many including DeLamar think it should be even shorter and say their time has come to donate.
"If the ban was lifted by the FDA, I would absolutely do it, in a heartbeat," says DeLamar.
