G’day legends! Got good news fresher than a cold VB on a summer’s day. The Aussie Red Cross Lifeblood has finally pulled its head in and done something that’s been long overdue: from July 14, they’re binning the dodgy rules that stopped gay and bisexual men from donating plasma if they’d had a bit of fun in the last three months.
Yep, that weird “no shagging for 3 months” clause for blokes who like other blokes? It’s on the way out—for plasma donations at least. It’s a bloody brilliant change that’s expected to add around 95,000 plasma donations every year, according to Dr Jo Pink, Lifeblood’s chief medical officer.
“We’re excited to be able to welcome more people from across the community into our donor centres from next month,” she said.
→ Source:
Custom Chart: Plasma Donations Forecast (Post-Rule Change)
| Category | Estimated Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| New Eligible Donors | 24,000 |
| Additional Plasma Donations | 95,000 |
| Total Previously Barred | 600,000+ |
| PrEP Users Now Eligible | Yes |
Blood donations still have a wait period if you’ve had “gender-based sexual activity”—but don’t worry, Lifeblood’s chatting with the TGA and state govs to sort that out next year.
Wait, What Was the Old Rule?
Under the old rules, gay and bi blokes—and transgender women who sleep with men—had to abstain for 3 months before they could donate. It’s like asking someone to give up coffee before going to work. Just… nonsense.
“We know the current donation rules have been very difficult for many people in the LGBTQIA+ community,” Dr Pink acknowledged.
→ Full story here:
Breaking Down the Big Wins
- No More Wait: Gay and bi men, trans women, and PrEP users can now donate plasma immediately (as long as they tick other eligibility boxes).
- Plasma Priority: Plasma’s the hot item on the donation menu. It helps treat cancer, immune disorders, and burns.
- Safe as Houses: Lifeblood’s models reckon there’s no extra risk to supply safety.
“This is a significant milestone,” Lifeblood said. “We’re prioritising safety, but also finally chucking outdated stigma in the bin.”
Community Cheers
Dash Heath-Paynter, head honcho at Health Equity Matters, called it a “world-leading” move and said it “unlocks thousands of life-saving donations.”
What’s Next?
- 2025 Goal: Lifeblood wants a full switch to gender-neutral assessments for blood donation too.
- Waiting on: State and federal authorities to change forms and policies.
Aussie Translation
So here’s the rub: if you’re a gay, bi, or trans Aussie who’s been unfairly turned away before—good news, mate. From July 14, you’re back in the donation game. Plasma’s calling, and it doesn’t care who you’re sleeping with—as long as you’re healthy and keen to help out.
