The Morning Edition Gay men in Australia can now donate blood. Why has it taken so long?
Jun 22, 2025
Kate Aubusson, a health reporter, dives into the significant changes allowing gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to donate blood in Australia. She discusses the historical stigma rooted in the 1980s HIV crisis and why this shift has been overdue. The conversation emphasizes the positive impacts on the LGBTQIA+ community and the importance of inclusivity in blood donation. With advancements in testing technology, the conversation highlights how this new policy expands the donor pool during a critical time for patients in need.
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Origin of Blood Donation Ban
- The HIV crisis of the 1980s led to an indefinite deferral of blood donation by men who have sex with men to prevent transmission.
- This policy was effective before HIV testing was available and significantly reduced transmission risk through blood transfusions.
Scientific Advances Reduce Risk
- Advances in HIV testing and pathogen deactivation technology now allow earlier detection and removal of viruses from plasma.
- These improvements support removing sexual activity wait times for plasma donations without compromising safety.
Expanded Donor Pool Benefits
- Over 600,000 people previously excluded will now be eligible to donate plasma under new rules.
- This change is expected to add approximately 95,000 plasma donations annually, addressing critical shortages.