Many sexual health and LGBTQIA+ organizations have campaigned against this deferral period. However, this policy discriminated against members of LGBTQIA+ communities. The reasoning was that this would reduce the risk of passing certain infections, such as HIV, to the recipient.
Previously, MSM would face deferral for 12 months and could only donate after a year of abstinence. However, it is important that all blood donations are safe, with no risk of passing bloodborne infections to the recipient or causing other potential complications due to incompatible blood types. At present, the deferral period for MSM in the United States is now 3 months.ĭonating blood is vital to public health as it is a safe, quick, and easy way to help doctors and nurses save lives. However, challenges to blood supply and campaigns to alter eligibility have resulted in changes to the donation criteria. They would have to abstain from sex for 12 months to be eligible for donation. Previously, men who have sex with men (MSM) were unable to donate blood.
