Gay blood donation policy called improvement

The group that represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people on P.E.I. says a new policy on blood donations for gay men is a good first step.

Canadian Blood Services announced Wednesday it would accept blood from gay men if they have not had sex with another man in the last five years. Previously the policy said men who had sex with men since 1977 were not eligible to donate.

Abegweit Rainbow Collective board member Sarah Smith said while the new policy is an improvement, it doesn't make sense that gay men in long-term, committed relationships are still not eligible.

"It's unfortunate that people who may have been in a monogamous relationship for five years, 10 years or any length of time are still not able to donate blood, and that people who may who may have not had a same-sex encounter or any sexual encounter for five years are able to," said Smith.

ARC plans to write a letter to Canadian Blood Services asking for further changes to the blood donation policy for gay men.