I just registered as a blood donor and got a little pack in the mail today. I was having a read at it and found a section on the people who can't give blood and this popped up

The rest of the information never stated any issues with any other sexual relationships. I had a look online regarding HIV statistics in the UK and according to the Terrence Higgins trust 40% of the people diagnosed with HIV in 2014 were heterosexual people, with a higher percentage of women being diagnosed within that group. Despite this still being a smaller percentage than gay men being diagnosed at 55%, the numbers bracket is closing in.

Do you think the outlook on this needs to be changed? I know that HIV is a very serious disease, but assuming two men have been checked and are HIV free and practicing safe sex, do you think they should have the right to donate blood? There will be thousands of men (and women) in this situation who have rare blood types that need to be donated, but these rules are still restricting them from helping.

Discuss.

There's too many that don't even know they have HIV. So no. Until they learn how to be more responsible. End of rant. Don't quote me.

No, sorry.

no

Yes. That rule is so outdated and I'm surprised it's still enforced.

So if you're a gay man that has had SAFE anal sex you still can't? Also what's stoping anyone from lying about it? Seems like a flawed rule

all donated blood is tested, no matter the donor. so that's all the more reason to allow them to give blood since they'll find out they're positive...

Yes. They test things anyway.

Yes. Straight and gay people who haven't protected themselves shouldn't though

I think the solution should be to make sure everyone's blood is tested before it's given to others.

If you donate blood, great. The doctors/nurses or whoever need to take that blood and make sure it's safe, whether it be blood from a straight person or a gay person.

Might as well. They test everything anyways.

No, for the reason posters above said

If a woman and a man don't practice safe sex they shouldn't get a free pass to donating. Don't you agree? If you know you're clean, it shouldn't make a difference.

Yes if they're proven not to be HIV positive

Of course... Everyone can get HIV, not just gay people. I do think everyone who gives blood should be tested though, but then again blood that's donated gets tested anyway.

A woman and a man can have unprotected sex and not have the same ridicule as this. Ridiculous.

dont they test the blood though? im my country when you donate they test you for HIV and they always ask if i wanna know the results. i mean unless american gay men walk around with GAY signs, couldnt one just go in and lie and donate anyways?

Unprotected anal intercourse as far as HIV is concerned is much higher risk than unprotected penile-vaginal intercourse.

Not saying I agree with the rule, it's just that the two aren't quite exactly the same.

Wait, why can't gay men give blood?

I think anyone should be able to. But as a gay male, I would never donate blood. If they want to put all of these weird restrictions on it, why should I bother?