The TRU Students’ Union hosted a virtual presentation and question period for KUC on April 15th (by Zoom) on an issue they’ve been working on for some years, which is Ending Canada’s Discriminatory Blood Ban on Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM).

Currently, Canada has a blood deferral policy in place of 3 months for men who have sex with men (MSM). This means that, regardless of their relationship status, and regardless of their safe-sex practices, many gay and bi-sexual men will not be permitted to donate blood for most of their adult lives. They believe that this blood ban is unfair and discriminatory. Blood is valuable and in short supply, so they want the Kamloops community to support Canada in adopting a blood donation model that encourages willing, able, and responsible individuals to donate.

The intention of TRUSU’s campaign work is to advocate against the ban on MSM. An alternative policy that promotes fairness while still ensuring blood safety is one that refuses blood donations based on behaviours rather than populations – these behaviours might include engaging in unprotected sex, intravenous drug use, etc. In 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a campaign promise to adopt a behaviour-based model. It is four years later and this promise has not been fulfilled.

Petition link   The link will take you to a very short informative video (which you can view or skip) and below it is the “petition”.