( CNN ) -- Activists are organizing the first national gay blood drive Friday in an effort to combat the Food and Drug Administration 's ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men . The FDA bans donations from men who have had sex with other men since 1977 , saying there is an increased risk of exposure to and transmission of infectious diseases -- including HIV -- in male-to-male sexual encounters . `` FDA uses multiple layers of safeguards in its approach to ensuring blood safety , '' the government agency 's website says . The FDA screens all potential blood donors based on risk factors and signs of infections . Blood banks have been instructed to ask male donors if they have ever had sex with a man . If the potential donor responds `` yes , '' he is instantly removed from the donor pool for life . The policy started in the 1980s when people did n't know how the deadly virus that causes AIDS spread . At the time , there was n't a good test to detect whether HIV was present in donated blood , and HIV was getting into the nation 's blood supply . Scientists also knew that a disproportionate number of gay men were affected by the virus . Ryan James Yezak , lead organizer of the blood drive , is making a documentary about discrimination based on sexual orientation . He said he wants to convey on a national level how much blood the gay community could potentially contribute to the blood supply if given a chance to donate . `` This ban is medically unwarranted , and this drive is the only way we can motion for change , '' he said . `` The gay community should n't be written off as diseased . '' Blood donations were down by 10 % across the country in June , according to the American Red Cross , which received about 50,000 fewer donations than expected . 2012 : Blood donations decline , U.S. ban on gay donors is examined . The ban is not discriminatory or based on any judgment concerning a donor 's sexual orientation , according to the FDA . The policy statement is based on the documented increased risk of transmissible infections . The American Medical Association voted in June to oppose the FDA ban . `` The lifetime ban on blood donation for men who have sex with men is discriminatory and not based on sound science , '' said AMA board member Dr. William Kobler . The AMA is advocating for a new policy to ensure blood donation bans or deferrals are based on an individual 's level of health risks instead of sexual orientation alone . Yezak is urging gay and bisexual men on Friday to visit designated blood donation centers , where a mobile HIV testing center will be located . He 's asking the men to get tested , and if their HIV results are negative , to try and donate blood . The HIV test results will be collected and sent to the FDA to provide evidence of rejected willing and healthy donors in hopes of lifting the ban . The blood drive will run from noon ET ( 9 a.m. PT ) through 8 p.m . ET ( 5 p.m. PT ) in 52 cities nationwide . Parts of UK to lift lifetime ban on gay men donating blood . The FDA has said it is willing to change its policy if new approaches can guarantee that blood recipients are n't subject to an increased risk of transmittable diseases . Yezak will use the results from the drive in his feature documentary , `` Second Class Citizens . '' Follow @ CNNHealth on Twitter and Facebook .
The American Red Cross does not accept blood donations from men who have sex with men . Blood donations down 10 % across U.S. in the 1980s , FDA says . Blood drive organizer wants to show how much blood gay community can contribute . AMA voted to oppose the donation ban the FDA implemented in June .