Ban on blood donations from gay men lifted

OTTAWA Health Canada has approved an end to the ban on gay men donating blood, a change welcomed by LGBTQ advocates, but criticized as long overdue.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said ending the discriminatory ban was “good news for all Canadians,” but had taken too long.

He said the ban should have ended 10 to 15 years ago, but research proving it would not affect the safety of the blood supply had not been done by previous governments.

He said his government invested $5 million in research into the safety aspects of changing blood donation rules and multiple scientific reports had proven “our blood supply will continue to be safe.”

Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, who disclosed his first partner had died of AIDS 30 years ago, said the change in donation rules now meant that “my blood is as good as anyone’s blood in this room” and was a step forward in human rights and “ending stigma.”

The policy restricted men who have sex with men from donating blood for three months.