A ban that prevented gay men from donating blood will be lifted in England, Scotland and Wales Nov. 7. They will be allowed donate if their last sexual encounter with another man was a year prior to the donation. British experts told the Telegraph Sept. 8 that the ban can be more relaxed because of improved testing for infections, such as HIV.
Social, cultural, and legal changes have also contributed to lifting the ban. This introduces the Labour Party’s Equality Act, which outlaws discrimination of homosexuals and states that ban gay men donating blood must have legitimate and reliable data. The ban was put into place in the 1980s because of the widespread fear of AIDS. Veteran campaigner David Tatchell told the Telegraph that while the policy is a large improvement, the 12-month ban is unjustified and excessive. #
Gay men allowed to donate blood in Britain
More to Discover
