Canada lifts abstinence period for gay men wishing to donate blood

Canada is following in the footsteps of France, the United Kingdom and even Israel by lifting the period of compulsory sexual abstinence for homosexuals wishing to donate blood.

Here, a blood donation in Pottsville, United States, January 13, 2022. (illustrative image) AP - Lindsey Shuey

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Canada announced Thursday, April 28 that it will now be possible for gay men to donate blood.

For the moment, this was forbidden to them if they had not observed a period of abstinence which had been gradually reduced in recent years.

The country is therefore following in the footsteps of France, the United Kingdom and even Israel.

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With our correspondent in Montreal,

This is a

for a long time by associations for the defense of the rights of homosexual people: until then, men were excluded from the donation if they had had sex with other men in the last three months.

The new approach will now limit deferral to donors who engage in high-risk sexual behaviors, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

In Quebec, this ban will remain in the short term, except for plasma donations.

Discrimination

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recalled that he had campaigned in 2015 by promising the end of this prohibition which he considered discriminatory and which did not take into account scientific evidence.

ban

imposed on gay men was implemented after a tainted blood scandal between 1980 and 1985 left 2,000 Canadians infected with HIV after receiving transfusions.

The rule change must be done by September 30.

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