'Sexual behaviour, not sexual orientation, determines risk of sexual transmission of HIV.
Potential donors could be asked if they have had multiple sexual partners, and about their sexual behaviour instead of their sexuality and gender. An end to the ban on gay and bisexual men from donating blood - promised by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2015 - is set to be recommended within weeks in favour of new screening criteria based on sexual history and behaviour.Ĭanadian Blood Services is preparing to ask Health Canada to allow it to scrap questions about gender or sexuality, basing screening on higher-risk sexual behaviour instead.