Blood donations in England are way up, as the National Health Service benefits from eligibility changes that have brought more gay and bisexual men to their local donation sites.
A recent survey found that 7.5% of male blood donors now report that they’re bisexual, gay, pansexual, queer, bicurious, or sexually fluid, SceneMag reports. That number was 1.8% in 2014.
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In 2021, an NHS steering group set about determining whether donor screening could be made more personalized without compromising safety. After a review of previous evidence and new data, the group’s recommendations were accepted by the government and introduced by the NHS in June 2021.
The new guidelines introduced an individualized, risk-based assessment for donors of all genders. Everybody donating blood now is subject to the same three-month waiting period if they’ve had anal sex with a new or multiple partners. The new rules are based on evidence of risk rather than sexual orientation.
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The assessment “gave us the evidence to move to a more individualized donor check,” said Su Brailsford, Consultant in Epidemiology and Health Protection for Blood and Transfusion at the NHS. The survey numbers are good news, they added.
“Donation became more inclusive, but safety remained the priority. The survey statistics indicate more gay and bisexual men are now donating, which is very encouraging to see.”
NHS collects around 1.5 million blood, plasma, and platelet donations annually, and requires about 200,000 new donors every year to maintain a constant supply.
Katy Davison, Principal Scientist in Epidemiology at the UK Health Security Agency and a member of the team researching the changes, said blood safety has not been affected by the new rules.
Reports show “no impact on blood safety since the more individualized assessment was introduced,” they said.
In recent years, Australia has moved to a new individualized risk assessment, as has the U.S. New Zealand is on track to do the same.
One gay man long denied the opportunity to donate is Thomas Yates, a gymnastics coach from Manchester. Yates had wanted to donate since he was a boy, following the example of his parents, and mindful of his grandfather, who relied on regular blood transfusions to treat leukemia.
Yates rolled up his sleeve right after he was eligible. He’s donated 16 times since.
“I booked my first donation almost as soon as the rules changed,” he said. “I felt elated afterwards. Proud, happy, overjoyed. Even speaking about it now, I’m getting a little teary.”
Now engaged, Thomas donates regularly at his local donor center in Manchester. He’s encouraging others to do likewise.
“It’s so easy to donate,” said the coach. “You’re literally saving someone’s life with one hour of your time. I’m pleased the surveys show more queer people are donating. I think it helps change perspectives.”
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