André Fredheim remembers when he was little when he told his father that he would like to donate blood. But when he grew up he discovered that it was not possible because he is gay. – It felt like a punch in the face when you were told that “no, you may not donate blood”. For the past five years, the rule has been that homosexuals and men who have sex with men have had to avoid intercourse for one year before they could become blood donors. In practice, it has made it impossible for gay married couples, cohabitants and lovers to donate blood. At the same time, heterosexuals and lesbians have been allowed to donate blood six months after they got a new sex partner, regardless of how often they have had sex with that person. – I believe the rules have been discriminatory. You feel different, says Fredheim. The explanation for the difference has been that men who have sex with men have had a higher risk of becoming infected with HIV and some other diseases. Treated equally In 2017, homosexuals were allowed to donate blood in Norway, against a one-year sex quarantine. But in recent years, several other Western countries have cut back on the quarantine period. Only now is Norway following. – We are constantly working to see which risk is acceptable. We have now received a thorough infection control assessment from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, says health director Bjørn Guldvog in the Directorate of Health. It only takes half an hour to give blood. Photo: Andreas de Brito Jonassen / news The experts have concluded, among other things, that there is not that great a difference in the risk of infection between homosexual and heterosexual couples who are not unfaithful. Thus, the new recommendation is that men who have sex with men who have only had one sexual partner during the last six months may donate blood. It is the same quarantine rule as it is for others. – It is gratifying that we can treat men who have sex with men and heterosexual couples equally when it comes to donating blood, says Guldvog. Minister of Health and Care Ingvild Kjerkol supports the decision of Director of Health Bjørn Guldvog in the Directorate of Health. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB Health and Care Minister Ingvild Kjerkol is also happy about the change. – For me, it is important that we get an increased number of blood donors. The more people who get that opportunity when we change these guidelines. – It has been a long time – This is a very big step, says André Fredheim. Last year, Fredheim wrote a column for news P3 last year. He believes the old rules were based on prejudices that homosexuals are more sexually free and vulgar. – I think it’s crazy that it has taken so long before something is done about this. Eivind Rindal in Trondheim pride is also very happy about the new rules. – This is something the queer movement has been arguing about for many, many years. He thinks there are many queer men who would now like to contribute. – After the terror in Oslo last year, we saw that many people wanted to help, but couldn’t, because they were queer and didn’t have the same opportunity to donate blood. Eivind Rindal thinks it is good that the rules are changed. Photo: Linda Bjørgan / news Equality in the new year Now Fredheim is one of those who are ready to give of themselves. – People will always need blood, so I really want to do it when I get the chance, he says. But it will take some time from the time the rules are changed until the blood banks have changed their questionnaires and computer systems. The Norwegian Directorate of Health’s aim is for there to be full equality between heterosexuals and men who have sex with men by the start of 2024.
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Homosexuals should be allowed to give blood on the same level as heterosexual blood donors – news Trøndelag
