As with the majority of countries throughout the world, Red Cross blood donation policy says that gay male donors are not eligible to donate blood, despite frequency of sexual activity.

However, the Australian branch of Red Cross plans to review this policy, saying that it shouldn’t be sexuality that determines if someone can donate blood, but instead those who do have sex.

“The people who are deferred under this policy are males who’ve had sex with males in the last 12 months,” said Australian Red Cross spokesman, Nicholas McGowan. “There are numerous questions which are highly personal in nature.”

The World Today reported that although the Red Cross hasn’t set a date for the review the issue, it says it will “consult widely with federal and state health authorities and it will include the latest international medical research” in its decision.

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Olivia Stephens