When these restrictions were first introduced in the 1980’s, it was an emergency response to the HIV pandemic and its high incidence among gay and bisexual men in western countries. Some implement an outright lifetime ban, while others require men who’ve had sex with men to observe 3 months to 5 years of sexual abstinence before they can donate blood. These restrictions are currently enforced by over forty countries. Screen the Blood is an initiative from the Peter Tatchell Foundation, aiming to raise awareness and take action on the blood donor restrictions affecting sexually active gay and bisexual men globally.īlood donation policies in many countries restrict gay and bisexual men from donating blood, even if they practice safe sex in a monogamous relationship.
