UK Survey Finds Increase in Gay and Bisexual Male Blood Donors Following Eligibility Changes

An analysis from the For the Assessment of Individualized Risk (FAIR) Steering Group suggests the number of gay and bisexual men donating blood in the United Kingdom has increased following the country’s adoption of individual donor assessment (IDA).

The FAIR survey of 8,744 male blood donors found that 7.5% identified as LGBTQ+, compared with 1.8% of male donors in a similar 2014 survey. While the surveys did not use the exact same methodology, FAIR researchers said the findings provide evidence that donor eligibility changes have broadened participation among gay and bisexual men. At the time of the 2014 survey, men who had sex with men were deferred from donating blood for 12 months following sexual contact.

The U.K.'s NHS Blood and Transplant introduced IDA in 2021, replacing time-based donor eligibility criteria with a gender-neutral assessment of individual behaviors. The change followed recommendations from the FAIR Steering Group and allows more people to donate while maintaining blood safety.