What countries are lifting gay blood donation bans?
The measures, both announced this week, are the latest in a wave of countries lifting blood donation restrictions on gay and bi men that were often first put in place during the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
Which other countries are lifting such bans and why? WHERE ARE GAY BLOOD DONATION BANS BEING REMOVED? Israel’s health minister Nitzan Horowitz, who is gay, lifted all restrictions on blood donations for gay and bi men in October 2021.
He posted a photo of himself giving blood shortly afterwards, writing, “Our blood is equal”. Other countries which have lifted bans or eased restrictions in recent years include Hungary, Denmark, Brazil and the United States.
In September, the Netherlands dropped a four-month celibacy requirement. Men who have been in a monogamous same-sex relationship for at least a year can now donate, with officials considering easing rules for those without long-term partners.
