Men who have had same-sex sexual relations can now donate blood in Greece.
On 10 January, a ministerial decree was signed by Health Minister Thanos Plevris and his deputy, Mina Gaga, introducing a new form for prospective donors to complete when they want to donate. The updated form has removed homosexual sex acts from the list of things that prohibit people from giving blood.
The existing document banned any man who has had sex with another man at any point since 1977 from donating blood.
The new rules will come into force upon publication in the Government Gazette.
In America, the FDA announced a relaxing of its restrictions on gay men being allowed to donate blood in 2020, in light of the coronavirus pandemic. In place of the former deferral period of 1 year, if a male has had sex with another male, he need now only wait 3 months to donate blood.
Blood donation restrictions for gay and bisexual men were eased in England, Scotland and Wales in June 2021, by removing the condition that you had to refrain from anal sex for three months prior to donation.
Under new law, people can give blood providing they have had the same sexual partner for the last three months or longer, qualifying gay and bisexual men in sexually monogamous relationships to donate.
If you’re in the UK and want more information on giving blood click here.