UK: N. Ireland lifts the ban on gay men donating blood.

[Zanna]

...However they are only permitted to donate blood after a year has passed from having sexual relationships with other men.

O’Neill said she would lift the ban in favour of a “one-year deferral system” as is the case in the rest of the UK. This means that gay and bisexual men can give blood one year after their last sexual contact with another man, bringing Northern Ireland in line with England, Scotland and Wales, where a similar ban was scrapped in 2011. O’Neill said the new system would come into effect on 1 September.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/02/northern-ireland-lift-ban-gay-men-donating-blood

 

[Reddie]

What exactly does the blood of gay men have that makes them unfit to donate blood?

If someone is willing to donate blood their sexual orientation should be of no concern to anyone.

That condition "give blood one year after their last sexual contact with another man" invalidates the repealing of the law.

 

[dogtowner]

What exactly does the blood of gay men have that makes them unfit to donate blood?

If someone is willing to donate blood their sexual orientation should be of no concern to anyone.

That condition "give blood one year after their last sexual contact with another man" invalidates the repealing of the law.

HIV.
Ask India why it matters.

 

[Walter]

HIV.

In this case also heterosexuals shouldnt be allowed to donate blood as they also get HIV.

 

[dogtowner]

In this case also heterosexuals shouldnt be allowed to donate blood as they also get HIV.

In vastly lower percentages. But all blood here is tested and quarantined for this reason. But no point in wasting resources on high risk. There IS a cost associated with collecting the blood.