Blood donations by MSMs

Men who have sex with men are banned from donating blood in 59 countries.

DATE

Blood donations by MSMs

Historically, men who have sex with men (MSM) faced blanket bans from donating blood in many countries due to the perceived higher risk of HIV transmission associated with this group. Initiated during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, these policies have since evolved with advancements in medical testing and greater understanding of the virus. While some countries have lifted these lifetime bans, others have implemented deferral periods, requiring MSMs to abstain from sexual activity for a specified duration before donating.

Efforts to reform blood donation guidelines have continued over the years, as activists push for policies that both ensure the safety of the blood supply and respect the rights of potential donors without unjustified discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Summary

88
Legal
88 regions (44%)
Legal
3
Somewhere in between
3 regions (2%)
Somewhere in between
59
Illegal
59 regions (30%)
Illegal
48
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
48 regions (24%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
Europe
62%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
31 regions (62%)
Somewhere in between
1 regions (2%)
Illegal
12 regions (24%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
6 regions (12%)
Oceania
21%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
3 regions (21%)
Somewhere in between
regions (0%)
Illegal
2 regions (14%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
9 regions (64%)
South America
83%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
10 regions (83%)
Somewhere in between
regions (0%)
Illegal
1 regions (8%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
1 regions (8%)
North America
61%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
14 regions (61%)
Somewhere in between
regions (0%)
Illegal
3 regions (13%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
6 regions (26%)
Africa
32%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
17 regions (32%)
Somewhere in between
2 regions (4%)
Illegal
18 regions (33%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
17 regions (32%)
Asia
30%
LEGAL EQUALITY
Legal
13 regions (30%)
Somewhere in between
regions (0%)
Illegal
23 regions (52%)
Varied, unclear, or unknown laws
8 regions (18%)

Timeline of blood donations by msms

Number of countries to allow blood donations by msms over the past 61 years.

Recent & Upcoming Changes

Upcoming Changes

2025

2024

2023

Blood donations by MSMs by Country

Legal

Blood donations by MSMs is legal in 88 regions.

  1. Asia (13)
  2. Bhutan
  3. Cambodia
  4. Iran
  5. Israel 2021
  6. Laos
  7. Myanmar
  8. Nepal
  9. Palestine
  10. Saudi Arabia
  11. South Korea
  12. Timor-Leste
  13. Uzbekistan
  14. Vietnam
  15. Europe (31)
  16. Albania 2008
  17. Andorra 2011
  18. Armenia
  19. Austria 2022
  20. Belarus
  21. Cyprus 2022
  22. Czechia 2024
  23. Denmark 2024
  24. Estonia 2024
  25. Finland 2023
  26. France 2022
  27. Germany 2023
  28. Hungary 2020
  29. Ireland 2022
  30. Italy 2001
  31. Latvia
  32. Lithuania 2022
  33. Malta 2022
  34. Montenegro 2014
  35. Netherlands 2024
  36. North Macedonia 2009
  37. Poland
  38. Portugal 2010
  39. Romania 2008
  40. Russia 2008
  41. San Marino 1958
  42. Slovenia 2022
  43. Spain
  44. Switzerland 2023
  45. Ukraine
  46. United Kingdom 2021
  47. North America (14)
  48. Antigua and Barbuda
  49. Bahamas
  50. Belize
  51. Canada 2022
  52. Costa Rica 2007
  53. Cuba
  54. Dominican Republic
  55. Guatemala
  56. Haiti
  57. Honduras 2024
  58. Mexico 2012
  59. Nicaragua
  60. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  61. United States 2023
  62. Africa (17)
  63. Angola
  64. Benin
  65. Burundi
  66. Democratic Republic of the Congo
  67. Egypt
  68. Equatorial Guinea
  69. Eswatini
  70. Lesotho
  71. Liberia
  72. Mozambique
  73. Namibia
  74. Republic of the Congo
  75. Seychelles
  76. South Africa 2014
  77. South Sudan 2014
  78. Zambia
  79. Zimbabwe
  80. Oceania (3)
  81. Fiji
  82. Papua New Guinea
  83. Vanuatu
  84. South America (10)
  85. Argentina 2015
  86. Bolivia 2019
  87. Brazil 2020
  88. Chile 2013
  89. Colombia 2012
  90. Ecuador
  91. Guyana
  92. Paraguay
  93. Suriname
  94. Uruguay 2020

Legal with restrictions

Blood donations by MSMs is legal with restrictions in 3 regions.

  1. Europe (1)
  2. Bulgaria
  3. Africa (2)
  4. Cape Verde
  5. Libya

Banned (less than 6-month deferral)

Blood donations by MSMs is banned (less than 6-month deferral) in 4 regions.

  1. Europe (1)
  2. Belgium 2023
  3. North America (1)
  4. Trinidad and Tobago 2023
  5. Oceania (2)
  6. Australia 2023
  7. New Zealand 2020

Banned (6-month deferral)

Blood donations by MSMs is banned (6-month deferral) in 4 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Japan 2011
  3. Europe (3)
  4. Norway 2024
  5. Serbia 2007
  6. Sweden 2021

Banned (1-year deferral)

Blood donations by MSMs is banned (1-year deferral) in 3 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Kazakhstan 2022
  3. Europe (2)
  4. Luxembourg 2021
  5. Slovakia

Banned (5-year deferral)

Blood donations by MSMs is banned (5-year deferral) in 2 regions.

  1. Asia (1)
  2. Taiwan 2018
  3. Africa (1)
  4. Nigeria

Banned (indefinite deferral)

Blood donations by MSMs is banned (indefinite deferral) in 46 regions.

  1. Asia (20)
  2. Afghanistan
  3. Bahrain
  4. Brunei
  5. China 2012
  6. India 2017
  7. Indonesia
  8. Kuwait
  9. Kyrgyzstan
  10. Lebanon
  11. Malaysia
  12. Oman
  13. Pakistan
  14. Philippines
  15. Qatar 1915
  16. Singapore 1992
  17. Sri Lanka
  18. Syria
  19. Tajikistan
  20. Thailand
  21. United Arab Emirates
  22. Europe (6)
  23. Croatia 1999
  24. Greece 2025
  25. Iceland
  26. Kosovo
  27. Moldova 1993
  28. Turkey
  29. North America (2)
  30. El Salvador 2010
  31. Panama 2001
  32. Africa (17)
  33. Algeria
  34. Botswana
  35. Central African Republic
  36. Comoros
  37. Côte d’Ivoire
  38. Eritrea 1957
  39. Ethiopia
  40. Gabon
  41. Gambia
  42. Ghana
  43. Guinea
  44. Mauritania 2016
  45. Mauritius
  46. Morocco
  47. Rwanda
  48. Senegal
  49. Tanzania
  50. South America (1)
  51. Venezuela

Varied, unclear, or unknown laws

Data on blood donations by msms is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 48 regions.

  1. Asia (8)
  2. Bangladesh Ambiguous
  3. Iraq
  4. Jordan
  5. Maldives Ambiguous
  6. Mongolia
  7. North Korea
  8. Turkmenistan Ambiguous
  9. Yemen Ambiguous
  10. Europe (6)
  11. Azerbaijan
  12. Bosnia and Herzegovina Varies by Region
  13. Georgia
  14. Liechtenstein
  15. Monaco
  16. Vatican City N/A
  17. North America (6)
  18. Barbados Ambiguous
  19. Dominica
  20. Grenada
  21. Jamaica Ambiguous
  22. Saint Lucia
  23. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  24. Africa (17)
  25. Burkina Faso Ambiguous
  26. Cameroon
  27. Chad Ambiguous
  28. Djibouti Ambiguous
  29. Guinea-Bissau
  30. Kenya Ambiguous
  31. Madagascar
  32. Malawi Ambiguous
  33. Mali Ambiguous
  34. Niger Ambiguous
  35. Sao Tome and Principe
  36. Sierra Leone
  37. Somalia Ambiguous
  38. Sudan
  39. Togo Ambiguous
  40. Tunisia N/A
  41. Uganda
  42. Oceania (9)
  43. Federated States of Micronesia
  44. Kiribati
  45. Marshall Islands
  46. Nauru
  47. Palau
  48. Samoa
  49. Solomon Islands
  50. Tonga
  51. Tuvalu
  52. South America (1)
  53. Peru Ambiguous
  54. Antarctica (1)
  55. Antarctica N/A

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