Iceland may be reconsidering its policy of banning all gay men from donating blood after the country’s health department highlighted that almost as many heterosexual people contact the virus. Last year the Health Directorate noted that the incidence of HIV between homosexual and heterosexual people almost identical, 150 to 148 cases. When HIV first emerged […]
Denmark has announced it will change it rules around blood donation opening the way for gay men to become donors. The country’s Health Minister Ellen Trane Nørby said the new rules would come into effect sometimes in 2019. The Minister said the country had very good systems for screening blood and it was time for the […]
The UK government has announced major changes to its rules over who can donate blood. Under the new procedures gay men in England and Scotland will only have to abstain from sex for three months, previously they had to wait a full year before being able to donate blood. Sex workers will also be allowed […]
Western Australian parliament has resumed with a fresh class of politicians taking their seats for the first time. Inaugural speeches give a politician the opportunity to tell the parliament who they are, what they stand for, who they’re inspired by and a chance to thank all their supporters who helped get them elected. Last night […]
Australia’s health ministers have agreed to bring forward a review of the rules that prevent men who have had sex with other men (MSM) from donating blood. Currently MSM are banned from donating blood. To be eligible gay men must abstain from sex for 12 months. The longstanding rules were developed when there was concern […]
A case of a leukaemia sufferer in the UK has drawn attention to Australian laws which prevent gay and bisexual males from donating bone marrow to those in need. 24-year-old Lara Casalotti was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last year, and was informed she will need a bone marrow transplant by April 2016 to survive. […]
The Netherlands have changed their blood donation regulations allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood. Potential donors will however have to abstain for sex for twelve months before becoming eligible. Dutch Minister for Health Edith Schippers said the new policy was a balance between equality and responsibility. “I am a staunch supporter of emancipation […]
In the US, the Food and Drug Administration have made changes to laws allowing same sex attracted men to donate blood. Previously, gay and bisexual men were prohibited entirely from donating blood. Now, gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate blood, but only if they have been celibate for one year. Actor, author and […]
