Straight men can have sex with 90 women in 90 days and still give blood. Gay men can have sex with 1 man in 90 days, even one they’ve been married to for 30 years, and can’t give blood.

That’s just plain homophobia, @CanadasLifeline.

#EndTheBloodBan

As a queer man who’s had sex with a man, I was banned for over 20 years from giving blood, under @CanadasLifeline old policy of sex with a man at any time, even once. Even though he and I had never had sex with anyone else.

That’s just plain homophobia.

#EndTheBloodBan

In 2013, @CanadasLifeline changed the ban to any time in the last 5 years. As a queer man married to a cis woman for 20 years, I could give blood again.

Yet plenty of gay men in 20-year relationships couldn’t.

That’s just plain homophobia.

#EndTheBloodBan

Since then, @CanadasLifeline has reduced the period to 1 year. Today, it’s 3 months. This opens up donations for many gay men.

But there are plenty who still can’t donate. While straight men with similar sexual histories can.

That’s just plain homophobia.

#EndTheBloodBan