Changes to blood and plasma donation in 2024
Restrictions around sexually active gay and bisexual men donating blood and plasma are being loosened in a new world-leading move by Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. These changes are expected to significantly broaden the pool of potential donors. The move is projected to welcome an additional , people into the donor base. 
Gay and bisexual men will soon be able to donate blood and plasma
Because under this approach, many people who can’t donate under current rules in Australia would remain ineligible to donate blood and plasma. In the US, it is estimated that three quarters of the gay and bisexual population remain ineligible. Rules that have effectively banned all sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating blood and plasma will be lifted in Australia. Credit: AAP.
Red Cross Lifeblood allows gay, bisexual, trans and sex
Lifeblood is the sole supplier of fresh blood products in Australia. Currently, sexually active gay and bi men, trans women and some non-binary folks who have sex with men can’t donate blood immediately. The only way they can is if they abstain from sex for three months. This includes those in long-term relationships. From July, sexual activity restrictions will be removed that have barred gay, bisexual and transgender Australians from donating blood. Lifeblood is the sole supplier of fresh blood products in Australia. 
Australia lifts blood, plasma donation ban for gay men
Current donor rules in Australia mean certain people cannot donate based on gender-based sexual activities. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today The rule stops gay and bisexual men and transgender women who have sex with men from giving blood or plasma if they have had sex in the past three months. Many gay and bisexual men have been excluded from donating blood and plasma the liquid portion of blood for decades because of rules developed during the HIV crisis in the s. This opens donation pathways for many gay and bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood loosens rules around LGBTQIA+
Rules that have effectively banned all sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating blood and plasma will be lifted in a world-first move. There is no question blood donation rules for gay and bisexual men must change. Of course, the safety of blood and plasma products for patients will always be our number one priority, but Lifeblood wants change too, and we can do it in a way that safely goes even further than what is being done overseas. Australia to scrap blood donation restrictions for gay and
How many more people will become eligible under the new rules? A national survey we jointly conducted with Lifeblood found an estimated 57% of Australians, and 63% of Australian men, were eligible to donate blood. Among men who reported sex with men, eligibility was only 40%. . 
Blood donations to be allowed from 600,000 more Aussies as
Rules that effectively banned all sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating blood and plasma are being lifted in Australia. The rules, originally introduced to decrease the risk of blood donations from groups with a higher chance of HIV exposure, will begin being revoked from next month, following similar moves in the UK and US. .
Restrictions lifted for Gay, Bisexual & Trans Aussies to
Health Australia to scrap blood donation restrictions for gay and bisexual men, trans women The world-leading move will significantly increase Australia's blood and plasma donor pool. .