Australia has long protected its blood supply with strict rules — for good reason.

Transfusion recipients, from newborns to cancer patients, rely on safe blood and plasma that is free from contamination and risk.

But from 14 July 2025, Red Cross Lifeblood will remove the waiting period for plasma donations from gay men.

Previously, gay men had to abstain from sexual activity for a set time before donating, due to the elevated risk of HIV transmission in this demographic.

Gay men continue to be the major HIV risk exposure in Australia, accounting for 63% of HIV notifications in 2023, despite homosexuals only making up a small percentage of the population.

The new rules mean:

• Gay men will be allowed to donate plasma immediately, with no deferral period
  
  
• Broader changes are planned for blood and platelet donations from mid-to-late 2026, removing questions about the gender of sexual partners

These shifts come not because the risk has gone away, but because activists have pressured Lifeblood to prioritise "inclusion" over safety.

Removing blanket deferrals makes risk assessments less reliable and harder to enforce. The precautionary principle must apply — once blood is given, it cannot be taken back. This is not about discrimination. It is about science, safety, and protecting life.

We are calling on the Federal Government to intervene. We must keep the ban in place to preserve the integrity of Australia’s blood supply and protect vulnerable patients.

Send a quick message now to Health Minister Mark Butler.

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