Australia Ends Deferrals for Gay Men in Monogamous Relationships to Donate Blood

Starting April 20, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood implemented a major policy shift, allowing gay and bisexual men as well as transgender people in monogamous relationships to donate blood and platelets for the first time in decades. The change replaces gender-specific questions with a uniform assessment for all donors, focusing on recent sexual activity regardless of gender or orientation.

The update, approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2025 following extensive risk modeling and research, ensures the safety of the blood supply while expanding eligibility. Previously, gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals faced a three-month deferral if they had engaged in sex with men, a restriction rooted in efforts to mitigate HIV transmission during the 1980s AIDS crisis. Over time, these rules evolved: a blanket ban in the 1980s gave way to a 12-month deferral in 2000 and three months in 2021. Last July, similar barriers were lifted for plasma donations, enabling 3,000 new donors to contribute nearly 10,000 units without increased risk.

Under the new guidelines, donors in long-term monogamous relationships meet eligibility if they have not had anal sex outside...