this post was submitted on 16 Apr 2024
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Sort of. Still can’t donate if you’re taking prep (hiv preventative) or if you’ve had sex with multiple people.
Need to be off prep for 3 months and not have sex with new or multiple partners.
The no prep part is a tough ask. Especially with how healthcare is
Much better than it was but it still excludes a huge portion of the community
In my country, men are asked the same questions and no one is allowed to give blood if they changed partners in the last 3 months. I imagine it is the same for women.
Unfortunately it applies to gay men only. Our straight counterparts can switch up partners as much as they want.
Well, it’d apply to bisexual men who’ve had male partners as well.
I should also point out it doesn’t have to be new partners. Just if you’ve had more than one partner you can’t donate even if it’s an exclusive polygamous relationship.
In the US, it is an Individual Donor Assessment and applies to everyone. Everyone gets the same question tree, regardless of sexual orientation. If you have had a new partner in the last 3 months or have multiple partners that doesn't defer you, it sends you to the next tier of question: have you engaged in anal sex. Yes to anal with a new partner or multiple partners is the deferral. If you haven't had a new partner or multiple partners in the last 3 months, you will not be asked about anal sex. Canada went live with their individual donor assessment a year before the US and has noted a slight drop in donations in straight donors because they are now being deferred for high risk activity when they were previously missed.
Prep is listed under a medication deferral. First responders that take prep for protection from workplace exposure are deferred as well.
(I'm a blood banker)
I see what you’re saying but they are specifically worried about anal sex. You’re welcome to switch up partners as much as you want as long as anal sex isn’t involved, which is much more likely and much easier for the heterosexual community.
Same goes with prep. I’m sure that there are circumstances that would have individuals taking it that are not related to their sexual orientation.
I’m just pointing out that despite the major improvement it still excludes gay men quite thoroughly from donating blood.
Ahh, bummer :(