Can you give blood if you are gay?

A friend of mine told me that if you had sex with the same sex since like 1980 or something that you would not be able to because of the risk of HIV. She's a nurse but I'm still not sure. It was also on Queer as Folk when they would not let Brian donate blood for Michael when he needed it.

According to the American Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks, any male who has had sex with another male (during the years 1977 to present) is not eligible to donate blood.

I believe that's true, but it may have changed since they started screening the blood itself for HIV.

Of course, if you're determined and have a clear conscience, just don't tell.

Yes you can give blood no matter who you like. Don't listen to that nurse she sounds crazy.

It may be that there are different policies depending on who is accepting the donated blood. It is my understanding that the American Red Cross does not accept donations from sexually active homosexual males.

No, they will not take your blood. There is a pretty in depth screening process that includes things like if you have ever been to Africa. If you have ever been at any kind of risk (as far as they can be absolutely sure of) for HIV you can't donate. Some places might take your blood (I think) since they test for HIV, but they will never use it to transplant.

Have you never given blood? What the hell?

Yeah there was also a dispute about it on Degrassi when Marco gave blood, but he gave it anyways. I am almost 100% sure you can give blood!!! There is something seriously wrong with America if they don't let you donate blood just because you're gay! I know about the whole risk of HIV thing, but anyone can have it!!! If they don't let you, that's just damn prejudice! PS: do they test you for HIV and stuff beofre you give blood? j/w. if you're sexually active, protect yourself and if you havent gotten tested yet, get tested.

In the United Kingdom it is true:

Being openly gay prohibits you from donating blood. Note that I am straight and I have given blood, they asked whether I had ever had sex with a man, but did NOT ask if I had ever had anal sex. Now suppose if I had with a woman, isn't that identical risk? The questions do not suppose what level of protection was given, they prohibit you. Also remember that the fastest growing demographic testing positive for HIV in the West are single white women aged 18-30. Straight heterosexual sex now serves an equal risk. There are huge holes in this by-law that is outdated form a more fearful time of HIV

No, that's incorrect. You can still donate blood provided you have not had certain criteria which would put you at risk..please contact your local Blood Donation Centre to find out. Here in Oshkosh you are allowed (I've read the sheets while my Best Beloved has been donating) You are also allowed to donate Plasma but the screening for that is very very strict.
Myself, I can't donate blood but not because of what you're thinking...stop that, you're being naughty...... I have lupus and have had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as a teenaged Otter. If I do donate blood it triggers a flare response in my body which makes me very ill...so they're supposedly doing it for my own good (drat....)
It's always better to use your mind rather than going for the underhanded joke. Blessings.

Even if you gave blood it will still be tested. Although that's a TV show most situations are built upon reality but for the show's conflict effect they probably threw that in to build climax. If a love one wants to donate blood to another one I don't think the hospital would have a problem with that and all knowledge is known about the blood's status and the person receiving has that understanding also. So maybe, hell, I don't know. But I do know that if you want to donate blood from yourself for future surgery you can do that because that's your blood contaminated or not.

Thats so retarded. The only thing that will give you HIV/AIDS is if you share body fluids with somebody who is positive with HIV/AIDS. You can't get it from sleeping with another guy, or even from animals.

Animals (if thats the other thing 'you're not supposed to sleep with') as far as i know don't have HIV. And Even if they did, you couldn't get them, because HIV/AIDS is a human disease, and any animal equivalent can be defeated by our immune system. If you have any more questions, just look them up online, and you'll get thousands of support groups that answer any and all questions.

Additionally, any blood you get through infusions are all tested for all blood diseases and toxins. If theres a toxin or disease in the blood, you won't get it.

no, they wont let you donate blood if you are gay because they say we are at risk of spreading HIV/AIDS. lol. it always makes me laugh, because the people who spread AIDS the most are straight Caucasian females. I've seen people who shoot up drugs give blood, but they wont let us do it? I have gay friends who get tested for AIDS and they dont have it, but they still dont let them.

If they do they donate it to the pet food industry

just depends on what state you live in

in Utah No

Its true, if you have had sex with another man since ap77 you are deemed to be in a high risk group and they will not accept your blood. Seems like a good idea to me as so many kids have gotten aids from tainted blood since 1977 that they cut off the gays from donating.

im gay and do it all the time they check the blood to see if its okay

Yeah, my relatives and friends have

OMG!! No way, you could transmit your gay-ness to some poor unsuspecting straight person, the horror!!! (Sarcasm, in case ya didn't catch that) I really honestly don't know, I donate blood all the time, but they've never asked about my orientation, so I guess you can.

yes you can give blood but for the past few years they have been screening the blood for the HIV virus, which means you can give it but it might not get used if it is infected, so moral: be sure to get regular HIV tests if you are sexually active.

I dont know what specific country you are talking about, since laws are different in each country, but in Mexico no, you are not allowed to donate blood if you are homosexual.

I don't know where all of you other gay folks are donating blood, but the American Red Cross turned me down flat. A couple times.

I'm not sure if that policy rules in every country of the world, but as far as i know, gay people can't donate blood cuz the have risks at sexual intercourses... i'm not totally agree with that but this kinda measurements provide certain safety between doners & receivers...

I did.....

That has to be false i participate in the red cross blood drive every year since I'm o positive and can give to everyone they test your blood before they give it to others and they make sure you are not anemic so i believe everyone can donate blood my opinions if they meet those criteria

well 2 me you can give blood because being gay is not in your blood.... so if your thinking that your wrong. but i would get tested on and of for 2-3 years because most symptoms dont show up until then!!! uhum so yeah get tested for 2-3 years to make sure that you are clean. from stuff like hpv hiv of any other std's kk? good luck with dat!

No; not even once.
I used to draw blood for the Red Cross. They ask you in the Health History if you've ever had sex with a member of the same gender.
Would you be willing to risk receiving blood from someone possibly carrying the AIDS virus?
Thank you; seriously...but consider donating time or goods instead. Volunteers come in all shapes & sizes.