Yeah, that was the first thing I checked for as well. Note that the restriction is specifically on MSM, not 'gay people'.

There is a growing body of medical groups pushing for a relaxation of the indefinite deferral period for MSM, including the American Red Cross and America Blood Centers. The deferral period in some other countries is less strict, down to a year in the EU.

One year is hardly progress unless it takes in to account people in monogamous relationships.

why is that ?

To avoid transmitting HIV/AIDS through a blood transfusion or other transplant, since those diseases are somewhat more prevalent among that group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_male_blood_donor_controvers...

Is this reason medically valid whatsoever?

I mean, AFAIK it really is more prevalent, however heterosexual monogamous people anyway tend to have HIV, hepatitis/etc, so blood needs to be tested anyway - and if it's tested, who cares if you have to throw out an extra bag of blood if you gain ten extra bags by allowing them to donate?

IMO, absolutely not.

IIRC, there was an actual incident of people getting HIV/AIDS from a transfusion which lead to the introduction of the ban.

Unfortunately, the number of homosexuals in the world isn't high enough to offset the number of people who would stop donating blood from homophobia if an organization changed their stance on this issue.

I'm not willing to let masses of people die just so that I can be "politically correct" about homosexuals being able to donate blood.