While the historic change was announced last year by the Red Cross Lifeblood Service, the easing of restrictions officially came into effect on January 31, 2021, which saw the previous waiting period reduced from 12 months of abstaining from sex with other men -which has been in place since 2000-to three months.Īccording to the Queensland Times, the updated rules also apply to transgender people who have engaged in sexual contact with a man or transgender person within the past three months, as well as sex workers. After decades of harsh restrictions for LGBTQI+ people who have wished to donate blood, Australia has finally relaxed its long-standing blood donation rules for gay and bisexual men, as well as those who are transgender.
