Men who have sex with men can now donate blood

Canadian Blood Services had made a major change in the criteria for who can donate blood.

Health Canada has approved a request from Canadian Blood Services to remove eligibility criteria specific to men who have sex with men. The focus will shift to sexual behaviour associated with a higher risk of infection among all donors, not just men who have sex with men.

As a result, once implemented later this year, men will no longer be asked if they’ve had sex with another man during the pre-donation screening process.

Back in June 2019 homosexual and bisexual men could donate blood pending a three-month deferral period.

Since October of last year, monogamous homosexual and bisexual men could legally donate plasma only – without any waiting periods in some cities of Alberta and Ontario.