Canadian Blood Services apologizes to the 2SLGBTQ+ community for donation ban

Canadian Blood Services is apologizing to the 2SLGBTQ+ community for its "harmful" former policies that for decades prevented men who have sex with men from donating blood.

The not-for-profit delivered the apology in person to members of the community at its headquarters in Ottawa on Friday morning.

For decades the Canadian Blood Services, which oversees blood donations and distribution in every province and territory except Quebec, prevented men who have sex with men, and some trans people, from donating blood unless they had been celibate for a period of time.

"The policy was put in place with the intent to protect patient safety after the Canadian blood system crisis of the 1980s. We recognize that for many years the same policy reinforced a harmful public perception that someone's blood is somehow less safe because of their sexual orientation," said Dr. Graham Sher, chief executive officer of Canadian Blood Services, in a news release.

"We regret that this policy contributed to discrimination, homophobia, transphobia and HIV stigma within society." 

Canada introduced a lifetime blood donation ban for gay men in 1992. The policy was later changed to prevent men who have sex with men from donating blood for five years after being sexually active. That was later lowered to one year and then to three months. 

Despite pushback from the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Canadian Blood Services continued to argue the deferment period was necessary because HIV is more prevalent among men who have sex with men. 

After years of pressure, the charitable organization recommended overturning that restriction in 2021, pointing to research it had conducted, as well as evidence from abroad, showing the change would pose no threat to the blood supply. The new policy officially took effect in 2022 following approval from Health Canada. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised in the 2015 election to eliminate the ban, which he called "discriminatory and wrong."

Sher said he hopes the apology will help mend relationships with individuals and communities who were affected by the former policy.

Michael Kwag, a member of Canadian Blood Services' 2SLGBTQIA+ advisory committee, called it a "historic moment." 

"Addressing past harms is important," he said. "There is still work to be done but I am encouraged knowing that progress is happening in a collaborative way."

Canadian Blood Services' new screening policies focus on high-risk behaviour among all donors — such as having multiple sexual partners.

Instead of being asked about gender or sexuality, potential donors are screened on higher-risk sexual behaviour, such as anal sex. A prospective donor who has had anal sex has to wait three months after that activity before donating blood.