Blood donation restrictions that are simply based on gender identity have generated discussion and concern. Such laws might be perceived as restricting transgender people’s rights because they support discrimination and prevent them from giving blood, which is a vital part of maintaining the public’s health.

Many activists and professionals contend that rather than imposing broad bans on particular groups, these rules should be re evaluated and based on individual risk factors and scientific data. This strategy would be in line with equity and non-discrimination principles, guaranteeing that everyone has an equal chance to donate blood while simultaneously upholding blood safety.

Transgender blood donation restrictions have typically been linked to worries about the possibility of HIV transmission. These policies, however, have come under fire for being biased and not wholly supported by scientific research. Recently, there has been pressure for these regulations to be changed such that individual risk assessment is the main priority rather than sweeping bans. The idea that eligibility standards should be based on behaviour and individual risk factors rather than just gender identification has been put up by numerous health organisations and professionals.

In India, there has been development in the legal system and in lobbying to provide equal rights for transgender people. The subject of equality and prejudice is connected to the right to donate blood. If you think that prohibiting transgender people from donating blood is against their right to equality, you should take the matter up with the appropriate legal and advocacy groups.

STATUS OF TRANSGENDERS BLOOD DONATION ACROSS THE GLOBE:

In the US, transgender people are not always prohibited from giving blood. A lot of blood donation organisations, however, have requirements for transgender donors, such as mandating that they have been celibate for a specific amount of time or that they have undergone surgery to prove their gender identity.

These limitations are justified by the notion that transgender people are more likely to contract blood-borne illnesses like HIV and hepatitis. However, this assumption is not backed up by any scientific data. Transgender persons are actually no more likely to contract bloodborne infections than cisgender people, according to a study by the American Red Cross.

Although there are some limitations, transgender people can normally donate blood in the US. For instance, transgender women who have had intercourse with a man within the last year are not permitted to donate blood, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Due to the possibility of HIV transmission, this is.

There is some disagreement over whether these limitations are appropriate or necessary. They are allegedly discriminatory and stop transgender persons from giving blood, which might save lives, according to some people. Others contend that the limitations are required to safeguard the blood supply.

The FDA is presently revising its guidelines for transgender blood donors. The limitations might be lifted at some point in the future. Transgender blood donation rules are dangerous and discriminatory. They hinder transgender persons from saving lives and worsen the prejudice and stigma that transgender people already experience.

A significant push to overturn the limitations on transgender blood donation has emerged in recent years. The American Red Cross declared that its lifetime prohibition on gay and bisexual men donating blood would be lifted in 2020. Additionally, the Red Cross declared that it would revaluate its prohibitions against transgender donors.

It is significant to remember that each organisation has its own rules regarding transgender blood donation. Transgender donors are accepted by several institutions, including the National Blood Service in the UK. Some organisations have stricter rules, like the Red Cross in the US. 

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST:

The following are various justifications for and against limiting transgender blood donation:

Arguments in support of the limitations include:

  • Men who have sex with other men (MSM) pose a greater risk of HIV transmission than the overall population.
  • The limitations are essential to safeguarding the blood supply.
  • Transgender persons can also donate money to blood banks or give their time to blood drives in order to save lives.

Arguments in opposition to the limitations:

  • The limitations are unreasonable and discriminatory.
  • Transgender persons are prevented from giving blood, which could save lives.
  • The limitations are a result of out-of-date misconceptions about transgender persons.
  • There is no proof that transgender women who had sex with men over the previous 12 months have a higher risk of contracting HIV than cisgender women.
  • The choice to donate blood or not is ultimately a personal one. Transgender people should consider the advantages and disadvantages of blood donation before making the choice that is best for them.

STATUS IN INDIA WITH RESPECT TO FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS:

Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India are fundamental rights that address equality and non-discrimination:

Article 14: “Equality before law. – The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.”

Article 15: “Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. – (1) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.”

These provisions place a strong emphasis on equality and anti-discrimination principles and forbid the state from treating people differently depending on their gender identification or any other attribute. If restrictions on transgender blood donation are perceived as discriminatory and not supported by legitimate reasons, they may be analysed through the prism of these articles.

Legal challenges could be brought up to examine the constitutionality of particular measures, and the interpretation and application of these articles in particular situations are subject to change. The principles outlined in Articles 14 and 15 may be examined by courts to see if these policies are in violation of them and whether they may still be supported in light of these principles.

The argument over transgender people’s right to blood donation equality centres on making sure that donation rules are just and founded on facts, not on gender identity. Many contend that prohibiting transgender persons from donating blood supports prejudice and fails to consider the advances in medical knowledge and treatment of blood-borne diseases like HIV. Advocates stress that rather than outright restrictions, donation eligibility should be determined by each individual’s risk factors. It’s a complicated matter with implications for society, ethics, and medicine. 

STORY’S OF RELUCTANCE:

Vyajyanti Vasant Mogli is a transgender woman and a transgender activist who is constantly working for the upliftment of her transgender community. Years back when her mother fell and hit her head, thereupon suffered from a huge blood loss. Inspite of the fact that Vyajayanti and her mother shared the same blood group the hospital authorities did not allowed her to donate blood in a situation when her mother was fighting for her life. The hospital administration did not give her a fair reason or justification of their act and even convinced her father that by doing so, her wife might contract HIV. 

Shortly after this in, 2017 the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) and the National AIDS Control Organisation issued the ‘Guidelines for Blood Donor Selection & Blood Donor Referral’. Clauses 12 and 51 of these regulations permanently bar transgender people, women who engage in sex industries, and men who have sex with males from donating blood in India on the grounds that they are “at-risk” for HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Thangjam Santa Singh is a Manipur based transgender activist who in 2021 challenged Clause 12 and 51 in the Supreme Court of India claiming them to be unconstitutional and violative of Article 14, 15 and 21. As the considering factor is a person’s gender identity and personal sexual preference and not other important factors. The Centre acknowledged her request and defended the ban, claiming that the “exclusions are based on due consideration of scientific evidence.” The parameters that are considered while collecting blood from an interested individual are whether he/she is above the age of 18 years and more than 45 kgs in weight and their haemoglobin level should be 12.5 or more. Once these three criteria are fulfilled then the blood is sent for further laboratory examination to check whether or not the blood is affected from any communicable disease. However, the hospitals checks gender orientation of an individual before collecting blood. 

SAVING LIVES OR STIFFLING RIGHTS:

The question remains the same whether the blanket ban on blood donation by the government is saving lives of people from getting affected with HIV or hepatitis B and C or it is curbing the rights of hundreds of people who are fighting on an everyday basis just because they don’t fit in the set societal standards and are different from others. 

The concern that the transgenders and gay men are at high risk of getting infected with HIV AIDS virus is pointless. People might be scared of the incubation period, which is basically a period of 6-12 weeks in which the virus is within the body however it can not be detected in the blood test, but the underlying fact is that this problem is a concern for everyone and not just for people belonging to certain community like the LGBTQ or the sex workers. 

The ban on the blood donation for specific persons is a violation of Right to Equality. The complete ban on a particular community is not justifiable as it is not based on an individual’s medical condition but rather on the persons gender identity and sexual orientation which is unconstitutional. 

WAY FORWARD:

It is crucial to inquire about their regulations with your local blood donation organisation if you identify as transgender and wish to donate blood. For further information, get in touch with the National Centre for Transgender Equality.

Transgender blood donation is a contentious topic with no simple solution. The limitations on transgender blood donation, however, are obviously damaging and discriminatory. They hinder transgender persons from saving lives and worsen the prejudice and stigma that transgender people already experience. It’s critical to keep pushing back against these limitations and to work towards a blood donation system that is more welcoming to everybody.

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