A chain of Oregon-based plasma donation centers faces a class-action lawsuit for its policies prohibiting donations from gay men.

A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon on behalf of John Cavanaugh claims Cavanaugh tried to donate plasma at a Grifols USA donation center in Eugene, but was turned away because of his sexual orientation.

“As an openly gay man, Mr. Cavanaugh answered ‘yes’ on the initial questionnaire that asked whether he has ever had sexual contact with another man,” a media advisory from ACLU of Oregon says. “Because of that answer, Grifols told Mr. Cavanaugh that he was forever banned from donating his plasma.”

The lawsuit, which was jointly filed in July by the ACLU, Shenoa Payne Attorney at Law, Beacon Employment Law, and Keller Rohrback Law Offices, asserts Grifols’ policy is a “discriminatory blanket ban” that violates Oregon’s public accommodations laws.

Legal representatives for Cavanaugh say Grifols, a global healthcare company with nearly 400 plasma donation centers around the world, turned Cavanaugh away even though he tested negative for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and has no history of STIs. Grifols maintains the ban on gay and bisexual men even though the company tests all donated plasma for STIs. 

Grifols operates four centers in Oregon, including one in Eugene, two in Portland, and one in Salem. Donors are typically paid for their donations using prepaid debit cards. 

The company’s website advises donors that they must complete “a comprehensive health history questionnaire to rule out individuals who engage in high-risk behaviors, have certain medical conditions or take medicines that may not be acceptable.”

“Vital signs are checked at each donation, and blood samples are taken for screening tests to rule out transmissible diseases such as hepatitis and HIV and to check for proper liver function,” the company’s site notes.

Attorneys for Cavanaugh say the company’s policy is not only discriminatory and unnecessary, it’s rooted in harmful stereotypes.

“Grifols discriminated against Mr. Cavanaugh, refusing to treat him the same as all other donors in this state, merely because he has been in same-gender relationships. Grifols is perpetuating outdated stereotypes and false stigmas that dehumanize the LGBTQ+ community,” Shenoa Payne, one of the attorneys representing Cavanaugh, stated in the media release. “Grifols’ policies are in direct contradiction to current FDA guidelines, which recommend an individualized health assessment regardless of sexual orientation. Upon passing the health screening, Mr. Cavanaugh should have been able to donate plasma, with the same dignity, respect, and equal rights and freedoms that is afforded to all Oregonians, regardless of sexual orientation.”

Cavanaugh is seeking more than $960,000 in damages from Grifols, along with injunctive relief to prevent the company from continuing its current policy.

Grifols did not respond to a request for comment or information.

A court date has not yet been set for the case.