No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live. (This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Several changes were later made to the blood donation regime until deferral periods for donations by gay men were lowered from a lifetime ban to three months in 2019. The policy began in 1992 as an outright ban on gay men donating blood following a tainted blood scandal. The agency says asking about sexual behaviour rather than sexual orientation will allow it to more reliably assess the risk of infections such as HIV.Ĭatherine Lewis, a spokeswoman for Canadian Blood Services, said the criteria change is “science-informed“ and allows the agency to be more inclusive about who can donate while still ensuring a safe blood supply. The London Gay Mens Chorus perform at the Gay Pride Mardi Gras parade in London, 3rd July 1999. Two men embrace in a gay bar in the West Village, New York City, circa 1980. If they have, they will need to wait three months after such activity before donating blood. Browse 399 black and white gay men stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Those who say yes will be asked if they have engaged in higher-risk sex. 30, potential donors will be asked if they have had new or multiple sexual partners in the last previous months, no matter their gender or sexual orientation.
