[Flaka]

Hong Kong (CNN) -- The Chinese Ministry of Health has lifted a 14-year-old ban on lesbians donating blood in effect as of July 1.

The ban still applies to men who are sexually active with other men, but celibate homosexuals are permitted to give blood, according to the Ministry of Health's website.

The original ban, enacted in 1998, barred homosexuals of both genders from donating blood out of a fear of spreading HIV and AIDS.

Xu Bin, a prominent lesbian rights activist in China, told the Global Times she applauded the amendment and what it means for lesbians in China.

"It is also about our dignity and the elimination of blood donation discrimination," she was quoted as saying.

Xu, who goes by her nickname Xian, first tried to donate blood in 2008 after an earthquake in Sichuan Province, when she learned of the ban and began campaigning against it.

"It's scientific that the policy doesn't mention homosexual identity but only fences off some who have certain sex behaviors, because AIDS is not caused by one's homosexual identity but improper sexual behavior," Xian told the Global Times.
AIDS first made an appearance in China in the 1980s when an Argentinean tourist died from the disease while on holiday in the country. Like other areas of the world, the epidemic was shrouded in confusion which was exacerbated in China by official denials that it existed there.

However, more recently, organizations such as UNAIDS, the joint United Nations program on HIV and AIDS, have commended the Chinese government on advancements in the attitude on AIDS.

In June, UNAIDS reported that its executive director had visited the country and praised the government's "major investments in China's AIDS response and a dramatic scale-up of HIV prevention, treatment and care programs."
The new regulations also include several other changes, including raising the age limit to 60, increasing the amount donated from 200 ml to 400 ml and shortening the required period of time between donations.

[K9Grip]

In all honesty I had no idea that there was this type of ban in China. I highly doubt that the person needing the blood would really care if the donor was a homosexual.

[DannyDrama]

Originally Posted by K9Grip ↗

In all honesty I had no idea that there was this type of ban in China. I highly doubt that the person needing the blood would really care if the donor was a homosexual.

I don't think it would matter to me. It weirds me out to think this kind of ban is needed. Do they not screen the fucking blood first? I know nothing about it but surely they have to? If not, I'd rather not bother in the first place.

[AnneLea]

found out interesting things about blood donation in USA thanks to my mother and husband.

They won't take mom's because she's a carrier for Hepititis B. that's understandable.

They won't take my husband's because he has siezures... even when they were taking blood from people with HIV and AIDS.

People out here will also flip out if they identify themselves as "a good ol' boy" and find out their blood comes from a person of a different color, sexuality, or religion.

Why would it be any different in another country? Fear is fear.

[Faline]

Had no idea myself, thanks Flaka

[K9Grip]

I'm still under ban from donating here in the USA because I lived in Europe during all the Mad Cow garbage. Sometime in Sept. I think mine gets lifted though.

Diseased blood I can definitely understand, but just because you're gay or because of race??? If I'm dying and there's only a gay, black person's blood to give, then give it to me.

[Brometheus]

Originally Posted by AnneLea ↗

found out interesting things about blood donation in USA thanks to my mother and husband.

They won't take mom's because she's a carrier for Hepititis B. that's understandable.

They won't take my husband's because he has siezures... even when they were taking blood from people with HIV and AIDS.

People out here will also flip out if they identify themselves as "a good ol' boy" and find out their blood comes from a person of a different color, sexuality, or religion.

Why would it be any different in another country? Fear is fear.

very strange that a person that has seizures would wanna give blood in the first place.. maybe they wont accept his blood for the same thought that i have. dont want him seizing up after he's low on blood and potentially decides to sue the blood drive.


BUT... if he is seizure free for 3 or 6.. most likely 6 months.. he should be able to give blood.

[AnneLea]

Siezure free since Feb 7th of 20011.

Also, it's lack of meds that allow him to have siezures. He has lost significant blood without feeling a siezure starting.

[k_dub]

Well thats fucking smart....

[Vera Wang]

The UK has only just lifted the ban on certain groups. They also banned women who were in relationships with men who had had anal sex with another man in the past.