Canada To Reconsider Ban On Gay Blood Donations

Committee To Look At Science Behind Decision to Make Gay Men Abstain For a Year

Canada will take a closer look at the science behind restricting gay men from giving blood. That’s the outcome of a Calgary MP’s bill, asking Health Canada to reconsider the rule that gay men must abstain from sexual contact for a year before they can donate blood. Calgary Conservative MP Len Webber introduced a motion to form a committee to study blood donor rules, and determine if the current ban is scientifically supported or can be eliminated while maintaining a safe blood supply. The Liberals promised during their election campaign to get rid of the wait time altogether, instead reducing it from five years to one back in August, a move that was met with anger from the gay community.