Everyone reading this might not be a Gay or from the LGBT(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community but it must be shocking to know that many nations across the globe, do not allow Gays to donate blood. “Men who have sex with men blood donor controversy” is a well discussed topic internationally, though it is not commonly known in India. Men who have sex with men, who are generally recognized as “MSM” are restricted from donating blood and this policy has been questioned by LGBT communities globally.

While the actual policy might be different across nations but the ultimate aim is to restrict MSM from donating blood. In many nations, the female sex partners of MSM are also not allowed to donate blood.

The LGBT communities argue that blood banks have sufficient facilities to test blood for known viruses and infections like HIV and Hepatitis and this restriction is impractical.

Authorities supporting this restriction have stats showing that the prevalence of HIV is relatively higher is MSM and thus this ban is justified. Several other reasons, which usually revolve around the similar idea of avoiding diseases which are transmitted through blood.

Individual nations have their own stand on this. Few completely disallow MSM from donating blood for lifetime, some disallow for specific period and some disallow female sex partners of MSM for donating blood.

Unfortunately, India does not have any policy on this.