Britain is lifting its lifetime ban on gay men donating blood, Agence France Press (AFP) reports. However, men who have had anal or oral sex with another man in the past 12 months, with or without a condom, are still not allowed to donate blood. The change brings the criteria for men who have sex with men (MSM) into line with other groups who are deferred for 12 months. These groups include women who have sex with MSM, people who have sex with sex workers and people who have sex with injection drug users. Human rights activist Peter Tatchell welcomed the change but said that gay men who always use condoms should be allowed to donate blood.

To read the AFP article, click here.