Donors will no longer be asked to declare if they have had sex with another man, making the criteria for blood donation gender-neutral and more inclusive. Considerations will be made against high-risk sexual behaviours, such as previous STI’s or those in polyamorous relationships. These risk assessments will see all potential donors being asked questions about their sexual behaviour.
Furthermore, donors will now be given a more individual-based risk assessment. This means that gay individuals who have been in a relationship for than 3 months will be able to give blood. The NHS Blood Service announced a landmark policy change that allows gay men to donate blood more easily.
