I understand that donating blood is an emotive subject but I think discussions in progressive spaces lose sight of what it's supposed to be about: the patients. I remember reading an article from a couple of years ago about gay men lying on health questionnaires to circumvent restrictions on donations from men who have sex with men. I sympathise with their life experiences, but goddamn was that absolutely appalling behaviour that should not be condoned or normalised in any way. One of the quoted (anonymous) men said that it was fine because he used PrEP daily, but PrEP actually messes with HIV testing so donors can't be on it (he didn't declare this on the questionnaire). I also vividly recall one of men saying that the restrictions made him feel like his blood didn't matter. No offense but that is so incredibly narcissistic. Donating blood isn't about the donors, it's about the patients. If you actually want to help people then you wouldn't put immunosuppressed cancer patients at risk.
Recently, the restrictions were changed so anyone who has had the same partner for the last 3 months can donate (but part of the requirements still include the stipulation about PrEP and PEP). That means more people can donate than were eligible previously, including many men who have sex with men which is wonderful news. I just hope donors won't feel the need to lie. It's not just HIV that's a concern, the main concern is actually hepatitis (there has never been a case of HIV transmission by transfusion in the UK, but there has been transmission of hepatitis - VERY rare though). The blood of people who get piercings or tattoos is not worth any less but they can't donate if they've recently gotten this done either. I'm baffled by this individualist framing as if the point of donating blood is the good feelings of the donor and not the safety of the patient.
