It also referenced the current questionnaire that blood donors have to fill in prior, adding that “in this case, the mentioned questionnaire will also be reviewed to reflect any changes decided upon”.

As it currently stands, men who have sex with men cannot donate blood without abstaining from sex for 12 whole months, as per government policy.

Meanwhile, females can donate every four months, while males can donate every three months given they did not have sexual intercourse with a man who engages with other men.

Back in 2019, the government had finally allowed MSM to be able to donate blood – but the caveat of one-year abstinence from sex still stands.

Over the years, the queer community has lamented the situation as unfair and discriminatory to MSM, continuing to stigmatise the community.

Many have also labelled this as an “attack on queer men” with the policy continuing to stigmatise HIV and AIDS – which at the end of the day, straight people can also get.

In the UK, “men who have sex with men and who have had the same partner for three months or more” are able to give blood.

Furthermore, “anyone who has had anal sex with a new partner or multiple partners in the last three months, regardless of their gender or their partner’s gender, must wait three months before donating,” therefore not discriminating against anyone.

Do you think that Malta’s policy needs to be updated?