The United Kingdom has lifted a lifelong ban on gay men giving blood due to the perceived risk of HIV/AIDS. Men who have not had anal or oral sex with other men in twelve months (a window made to make sure that no infections are undetected in testing) are now able to donate blood in England, Scotland, and Wales.
The ban on blood donation of homosexual men still applies in the United States, but hopefully this move in the UK will cause American health services to re-examine their discriminatory policies. According to the UK research, "the safety of the blood supply would not be affected by the change and we would like to reassure patients receiving transfusions that the blood supply is as safe as it reasonably can be and amongst the safest in the world. There has been no documented transmission of a blood-borne virus in the UK since 2005, with no HIV transmission since 2002."
Giving blood is very important, not just in times of crisis but every day. There is no substitute to blood, so opening up the blood pool and having more blood available to those in need is important. If you've ever been in an accident or had a disease that called for a transfusion, you know how important blood donation is. If you're able, check out where to donate from the American Red Cross.
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