Can gay men really not give blood?

Question

I usually give blood twice a year and recently I have heard that gay men can't give blood. I've always been asked if I have had sex with another male in the past 12 months but I've always answered "No" so I have no idea what would happen if I had said yes. Is this true?

Thanks for the answers. Oh, and one more question. Does this apply to lesbians too?

Answer 1

Anyone healthy and able to give blood can. All blood is tested no matter who it's from <<<<<<<<<<<< this is wrong

UPDATE: I am sorry I just read also on wikipedia that Bi/Gay men can't give blood so forgive me everyone I really didn't know.

NOTE: I left my wrong info and the right info up to show it's never to late to educate your self. And with that thought I like to thank the people who had the right answer to this and helping me see learn something tonight.

Answer 2

Yes, there is a Donor Ban on gay men. It seems more than a little ridiculous given that ALL blood must be tested for the HIV virus prior to being distributed for use. It is not true of lesbians and the reason for that is that lesbians have the lowest percentage of STDs in the population, there is no perceived threat of HIV infection from their populace.

Answer 3

Nope,gay men cannot give blood. I was just discussing this with a gay man this morning. Its totally rediculous, but it is a fda regulation. As if all the studs and biatches that have sex without condoms are at any less risk? Oh, and no, it doesnt apply to lesbians, we r the lowest AIDS risk of any group, for obvious reasons.

Answer 4

HIV is lowest among non-drug using Lesbians. Its not that you are homosexual, its that you are in a high risk group. They should also be asking if you are in the sex industry and are an iv drug user. If they aren't asking those kinds of questions, and only asking if you've had sex with a man, then you need to protest the screening. Heterosexual African people are now the worlds highest risk group.

Answer 5

i worked in this field so this is first hand knowlege. a gay or bi man who has had sex with a man since 1977 cannot give blood or plasma thier risk for hiv nfection is considered to high., a person who has used itervenous drugs or hhas ever recieved blood or blood products cannot give bvlood or plasma either their risk is also considered to high. a lesbian can give as their transmission rate of the hiv virus is considerd extremey low and are not considered a risk. hope this helps

Answer 6

Gay men are not allowed to give blood. It does not apply to lesbians.

Answer 7

When you go in to donate blood you are given a questionnaire with sever ail questions about your general health and disease that you have or do not have and if you are asked if you are gay they can refuse to allow you to donate blood . The law states that anyone who has had same sex gender sexual encounters may not donate blood .

Answer 8

you should be honest .... if you want to do the good deed of donating blood, you really need to be honest.
they usually screen the blood , but mistakes do happen. if you don't want to admit your sexual passed you should at least go to your family dr. and ask him to get blood work on you! tell him you want to be tested for everything. you care enough to ask the question you should care enough to do the right thing.... call the red cross and find out if gay men can donate!

Answer 9

No you can not. If you say you are gay, they don't want your blood. I used to give blood when I was younger, but even in San Francisco, it's still the case where they don't want your blood if you're gay. Regardless that they test it and it's stupid, it's still the case.

Answer 10

No they cannot. It is stated on wikipedia. Anyone who has had male to male sex is ineligible, which seems silly to me because plenty of straight people have HIV and carry the virus. Someday maybe people will realize that it is not a " gay " disease. HIV does not care what color you are or who you sleep with. Use protection people.