New blood donation policy still targets queer men and trans women, advocates argue

While every donor will now be asked the same questions, the new policy’s focus on anal sex and barring those who take PrEP is seen by some as more egregious and intrusive than the previous blanket ban.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference in West Block on April 28, 2022, where Trudeau announced Health Canada's approval of a Canadian Blood Services’ policy change to eliminate the three-month donor deferral period for gay and bisexual men and other LGBTQ2S+ community members. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

News

BY STUART BENSON

May 13, 2022

Many members of Canada’s LGBTQ2S+ community celebrated when Health Canada announced that it would finally be ending the nation’s discriminatory ban on donations from men who have sex with men. Christopher Karas felt only sadness and exhaustion.

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