Even today in Belgium, men who have sex with other men (MSM) must wait four months before they can donate blood. A rule that federal MP Julie Taton describes as discriminatory and outdated.
She has tabled a bill to remove this exclusion period, with the aim of establishing fairer and more appropriate rules. “Giving blood is an act of solidarity, open to everyone. The criteria must focus on actual risks, which will allow reserves to be managed effectively while respecting the principle of equality.” She stresses the urgency of this reform to put an end to unfair stereotypes and ensure better management of blood donations, which are essential in the event of shortages.
Introduced in the 1980s, these restrictions were designed to combat the transmission of HIV through transfusions. However, recent research, notably from the Superior Health Council, shows that this risk is now extremely limited in Belgium. In 2023, nearly half of new HIV infections involved heterosexual people, demonstrating that behaviour, not belonging to a particular population group, should be the deciding factor.