The Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Lifeblood) announced that it will lift its ban on sexually-active LGBTQ+ people from donating blood and plasma. The lifting of the ban was already approved by the country’s health products regulator, and is estimated to expand the country’s donation pool by 625,000 people.
The antiquated ban, initially introduced to decrease the risk of blood donations from groups with a higher chance of HIV exposure. And with this, Australia will become the first country in the world to remove all sexual activity-based restrictions on plasma donation.
According to Jo Pink, Lifeblood’s chief medical officer, the changes are “a significant milestone”. “Blood safety is and always will be our top priority, but we know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community… we know that they’ve contributed to the stigma faced by (them).”
The previous ban actually particularly affected gay and bisexual men, as well as transgender women who had sex with men in the previous three months, as they were banned from donating blood or plasma, along with sex workers and women who have sex with bisexual men. But now, people’s SOGIESC will no longer be a determinant. Instead, most people in a sexual relationship of six months or more with a single partner will be eligible to donate blood, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
Lifeblood will no longer ask men if they had sex with men in the previous three months. Instead, donors will be asked if they have had anal sex with new or multiple partners. For those who did, they need to wait three months to donate blood, even if they are still eligible to donate plasma.
People taking HIV prevention drug PrEP will also be able to donate plasma, but are blocked from donating blood. Only those living with HIV won’t be allowed to donate plasma, along with those with a partner with HIV.
The plasma donation rules will come into effect on 14 July. Meanwhile, the updated approach to blood donations will be implemented in 2026.
