October 8, 2009

Gay Man Challenges Canada’s Blood Donation Ban

A Canadian man allegedly lied repeatedly about having sex with other men in order to donate blood to Canadian Blood Services, The Ottawa Citizen reports. The agency does not accept donations from men who have had sex with other men since 1977, deeming them at high-risk for HIV.

According to the article, Kyle Freeman, 36, testified that he practices safe sex, is at low risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and was routinely tested for the virus before donating blood. All of his tests have come back negative.

Freeman is suing Canadian Blood Services, saying that the agency is in violation of his rights and those of all men who have sex with men in Canada for not allowing them to give blood.

Freeman gave blood 18 times between 1990 and 2002, when he sent the agency anonymous e-mails admitting to lying on the questionnaire. The Canadian Blood Services later filed a lawsuit against him for negligent misrepresentation.

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Previous Comments:

Robert, , 2009-10-14 15:18:30
So, he wasn't at risk for HIV, but he has/had syphilis?

Gordon, , 2009-10-13 17:27:26
Sounds like someone that just wanted attention to me. If he was positive I am sure he would change his outlook on this. With this guy testing negative he has no way to really understand what people go thru once they get this virus, if he did he would be more understanding that this is a precaution.