Blood donations from gay community up since Orlando tragedy

The tragedy at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida for the LGBT community has highlighted the need for blood. It's bring attention to new rules on homosexual men donating blood.

Pat Michaels with the Red Cross in Orlando told 610KONA it has also brought attention to new federal rules allowing gays to give blood. The FDA's official position is that there is not enough evidence to remove current restrictions. Right now, any men who have had sex with another man need to wait 12 months before being allowed to donate.

Even with the changes, some blood banks in Seattle still ban blood donations from gay men out of safety concerns. Michaels says there is a learning curve that needs to improve in some communities.