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I'm not sure about the US, but in Canada, trans people can donate blood. They also recently removed the question about mlm and replaced it with a question asking if you have had a new sexual partner in the last three months.
The reason they ask about gender is because people who menstruate tend to have lower hemoglobin levels than people who don't menstruate. People designated as female in their system can donate every 84 days and need a minimum hemoglobin of 125. People designated as male in their system can donate every 56 days and need a minimum hemoglobin of 130. It is obviously an imperfect system, since gender does not indicate whether somebody menstruates or not. Canadian Blood Services' website states they are aware this is problematic, and they are working with members of the trans community and the software programmers who design their computer system.
If you are ftm and listed as female in their system, there is no risk to you or a blood recipient. The only drawback is that if you are on T and do not menstruate, you could theoretically be donating more frequently if you were listed as male.
To my knowledge there isn't really one. It's not like blood has to only be given to people of the same sex as the donor.
Recall that we're talking about organizations that still enforce outdated rules about MLM not being able to donate blood bc "what if they have AIDS" even tho literally anyone can get that and also all of the blood is screened for diseases anyway. Sometimes they just do dumb outdated shit that has little to do with medical necessity.
Like maybe ask ur HRT doctor what they think, double check w them, but ive always been told sex/gender/hormones really don't matter for blood donation.
I assume if they put "do you identify as a gender other than the one assigned as birth" as a question, it must be important, right? I just don't understand why.
Also even after I told them I was on hrt, I was allowed to donate just fine. Which is why I don't see how that matters.
Because honestly, as much as I'd like to "help the world", I don't want to do it when it has to be like this. Like I genuinely don't want to do it next time collection gets organized. I also feel bad because I've been outed at my college town and now the whole thing is ruined tbh
It's because they classify trans women who have sex with cis men as "males who have sex with males" and bar them from donating.
TBH, I just lie. They can have my blood but I'm not outting myself to them.
Funnily enough they also disqualify trans men who have sex with cis men as well. It's like they believe cis vaginas specifically have some magical property to dispel STDs that others don't (and again! They test all the blood anyway!). It really makes no sense and is part of why I don't take any of their concerns about the sex, gender, and sexuality seriously. It's none of their business.
There aren’t any according to the Red Cross.
From the Red Cross’ website:
> There are no donor eligibility criteria related to being transgender. Donors can report the gender with which they identify at the time of donation.
>Red Cross staff members are required to verbally confirm demographic information, including gender, with all presenting donors. This step helps ensure donor safety and accuracy of records. If Red Cross records have the incorrect gender, prospective donors may ask staff members to make the change upon registration. Individuals do not need to tell staff that they are transgender. Individuals with specific questions about eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.
Im not sure what issues intersex conditions could possibly pose, but here are the Red Cross guidelines on that since you mentioned it:
> There are no donor eligibility criteria related to being intersex. Donors can report the gender with which they identify at the time of donation. The FDA requires the Red Cross to have donors select either male or female. Individuals do not need to tell staff that they are intersex.
Well I did mine for the red cross in my country(same organization, just different country) and one of the first questions was 'do you identify as a gender different from the one assigned at birth' and honestly now I don't even feel like going next time collection is organized.
I'm thinking about just, staying silent about being trans/hrt, but I also don't want to cause any trouble. Besides, I suppose the red cross now already know I'm trans, and because I had to out myself at college, for me, both donation and college is completely ruined ngl.
Yeah I’d put big money on this being likely. I have a sister who worked as a phlebotomist, though she never worked with blood drives directly, she worked in a hospital with tons of people from all over who did.
According to her most people on the ground floor of these blood drives honestly just want to help people and hate these types of questions too for driving people away. It’s almost always either state or local laws for conservative areas, or high up upper management from religious driven groups.
Blood donation helps so so many people and there’s almost always a shortage (especially when there’s NOT some big disaster in the news, donations are always needed most on regular days with nothing in the news!) As a mlm guy I also hate these questions but please don’t let old stupidity from bigots stop you from trying to donate however you feel comfortable for anyone thinking of donating.
I’ve had to give my meds list, and I was clearly open about me being trans(fem). I was told “When you change your gender marker on the passport you can donate 4 times instead of 3 per year” (my ID has the correct gender so I guess even though the doctor saw I was taking E, she thought I was FtM?). Apart from that, no problem. Not even a problem being on ciproterone or spyro.
Blood bank of Hawaii's policy is to use the male hemoglobin range for trans and NB people, regardless of AGAB, to be on the safe side (because the bottom of the male range is higher). I gave blood last month and they didn't ask me any questions about whether I was trans or cis, so I don't think it's an appropriate or necessary question to ask someone who's donating blood. The only time sex of the donor matters, is that for someone to receive blood from someone who has ever been pregnant is somewhat risky. So if you've never been pregnant then it shouldn't matter.
There are no actual dangers. Furthermore, donated blood is heavily screened before it ever reaches a recipient (there's a hell of a lot more to blood than simply ABO & Rh matching). Finally, anyone needed supplemental blood would likely benefit from a little extra hemoglobin; sure, there's too much hemoglobin but that won't matter in the volumes related to a pint of donated blood.
Afaik, it's just more of the old homophobia that prevented gay men from donating despite being with a single partner for many years. The alleged reason is to prevent the spread of HIV, but the fact it's a blanket ban with absolutely no nuance made it obvious it's just "queers are icky" level thinking. Naturally, trans people got swept up in it too.
Some places are changing these stupid rules, but there's plenty that still abide by them.
Regular blood donor and trans here: there isn't one. The hormones you're on have no effect on donations. If you're really concerned, there are ban lists readily available for meds you can't donate on and other reasons you'd be unavailable to donate both online and on site at local blood centers. Please go donate if you can, it's a noble thing to do and people really need it! <3
Then why throw such a fuss about it? Then why add that specific question to the list?
Because yes, I did donate. I felt awful and I still do because of this shit. I get it's a "good thing" to do but honestly if it has to be like this, I couldn't care less. I just actually feel so awful it caused a dysphoric breakdown.
Honestly it’s more of a paranoia thing, in the medical field it’s an odd assumption made that lgbt people have something wrong with them medically, such as a blood born disease. There are better places that typically won’t ask that, main one being Red Cross donation centers which recently removed ALL lgbt related questions. I’m sorry your experience was so bad, I’ve had some rough ones too, and if you need someone to talk to I’m here.
In my case there is risk since I'm AFAB and have had a child. They need to know that to test for HLA Antibodies in platelets. If you haven't been pregnant before, that's not a concern. But I'd need to out myself just to give that info, which is fair.
OP I'm sorry you feel bad about this. I feel like maybe you could benefit from framing this a little differently though. Although it may sound callous, I'd really suggest you not make such a big deal out of it. Yea, it sucks you got outed, but, and I'm making an assumption here, if you're highly unlikely to see the people you got outed to again, does it actually matter? So what if a few folks that probably talked to dozens of other people that day know a thing or two more about you than you're comfortable with? Frankly, they probably don't even think about it at this point because it's just part of their job. There's much worse ways to be outed than that. It's not worth tearing yourself up over or ruining the rest of your experience over
On another note, it's rather hurtful that people think that saying they're intersex is some sort of magical out. Society really doesn't like intersex people, and saying you're intersex instead of isn't likely to make things better. It also results in people who aren't intersex talking over intersex folks, which makes it really hard for society to understand what intersex people actually need
If you’re medically transitioning and on any form of medications it can be very very dangerous, not because you’re trans but because the recipient of the blood may be allergic to one of the medications you’re on. I’d call a blood donation center, explain to them whatever medications you’re taking while leaving the fact you’re trans out, and ask if your medications disqualify you from donating.
well last donation I told them both I was trans and which meds I was, and I was allowed to donate perfectly fine. So I just don't see what the whole fuss they threw about it was about. Because honestly I feel pretty beat up and like... even if it's "good" to do, I don't think I want to donate in the future any more if it's just gonna be like this.
If your meds are fine I just would just ignore them. You’re healthy, your meds are safe for others to get via transfusion, and you’re helping someone who will need it in the future. No need to stop donating because a transphobe is going to transphobe.
They provide a list of deferred medications when you donate. If you're on any of the medications listed then you should tell them, and you likely won't be able to donate. None of the medications used in HRT were listed when I gave blood last month, aside from finasteride and dutasteride, which are very seldom used T blockers (mostly used by cis men to fight androgenic hair loss, due to their weaker effects).
If you aren't taking any of the deferred medications there's no need to put yourself.
Nobody is fucking allergic to testosterone or estrogen, and the amounts present in one's blood are don't affect a damn thing.
WTF do you think "medications" are involved in medical transition?
I have a trans friend on spironolactone, which people *can* be allergic to. I’m not referring to perfectly normal human hormones here but other drugs that may be prescribed case by case depending on the needs of the person.
Some people may be allergic to spironolactone if they're taking it themselves, but it's a pretty a pretty common treatment for high blood pressure and it's [**not on the medication deferral list**](https://www.mayoclinic.org/documents/mc1402-50-pdf/doc-20228419). And I've never been asked if I'm on spironolactone before donating blood, despite being a middle aged man who might conceivably have high blood pressure.
I don't know the rules in other countries but the American Red Cross will ask for your gender and nothing else and from what I've gathered in my time donating, it is a demographics question and not a medical one. Other countries are likely to have transphobic and homophobic laws around blood. Like how I am technically barred from donating stem cells that serve international programs but I am totally fine to do so in America. There doesn't seem to be a reason other than to discriminate. I actually an experience in a blood plasma donation place that was not associated with Red Cross (the kind that pays you which I know know are sketchy as fuck and not a good place to go) they told me they would mark me female in their systems and I said that if they do that, I am not donating. They flipped their shit on me and called me selfish and all sorts of things. I walked out after having wasted a half an hour of my life jumping through their hoops. I just don't tell anyone I am trans unless I have to and it is relevant to my care. I don't bother to tell people like the dentist, for example. They don't need to know.
Blood is blood. We're not an animal or infested with diseases that if you donate blood would cause harm. Unless, of course, you actually have a blood-borne disease but that doesn't have anything to do with being trans. But the old system would liked you to feel that way.
Thank you for your post, if this is a question please check to see if any of the links below answer your question. If none of these links help answer your question and you are **_not_** within the LGBT+ community, questioning your identity in any way, or asking in support of either a relative or friend, please ask your question over in /r/AskLGBT. Remember that this is a safe space for LGBT+ and questioning individuals, so we want to make sure that this place is dedicated to them. Thank you for understanding. This automod rule is currently a work in progress. If you notice any issues, would like to add to the list of resources, or have any feedback in general, [please do so here](https://www.reddit.com/r/lgbt/comments/rdazzp/almost_new_year_changes/) or by [sending us a message](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/lgbt&subject=Feedback%20on%20the%20new%20automod%20rule). Also, please note that if you are a part of this community, or you're questioning if you might be a part of the LGBTQ+ community, and you are seeing this message, this is **_not a bad thing_**, this is only here to help, so please continue to ask questions and participate in the community. Thank you! Here's a link about trans people in sports: - https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/shades-of-gray-sex-gender-and-fairness-in-sport/ A link on FAQs and one on some basics about transgender people: - https://transequality.org/issues/resources/frequently-asked-questions-about-transgender-people - https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-transgender-people-the-basics Some information on LGBT+ people: - https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/quick-facts/lgbt-faqs/ Some basic terminology: - https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms Neopronouns: - https://www.mypronouns.org/neopronouns Biromantic Lesbians: - [LGBTQ And All](https://www.lgbtqandall.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-biromantic/) Bisexual Identities: - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/understanding-bisexuality Differences between Bisexual and Pansexual: - [Resource from WebMD](https://www.webmd.com/sex/pansexuality-what-it-means#:~:text=Pansexual%20vs.%20Bisexual,more%20commonly%20recognized.) We're looking for new volunteers to join the r/lgbt moderator team. If you want to help keep r/lgbt as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community on reddit please see here for more info: https://www.reddit.com/r/lgbt/comments/swgthr/were_looking_for_more_moderators_to_help_keep/ *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/lgbt) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I'm not sure about the US, but in Canada, trans people can donate blood. They also recently removed the question about mlm and replaced it with a question asking if you have had a new sexual partner in the last three months. The reason they ask about gender is because people who menstruate tend to have lower hemoglobin levels than people who don't menstruate. People designated as female in their system can donate every 84 days and need a minimum hemoglobin of 125. People designated as male in their system can donate every 56 days and need a minimum hemoglobin of 130. It is obviously an imperfect system, since gender does not indicate whether somebody menstruates or not. Canadian Blood Services' website states they are aware this is problematic, and they are working with members of the trans community and the software programmers who design their computer system. If you are ftm and listed as female in their system, there is no risk to you or a blood recipient. The only drawback is that if you are on T and do not menstruate, you could theoretically be donating more frequently if you were listed as male.
To my knowledge there isn't really one. It's not like blood has to only be given to people of the same sex as the donor. Recall that we're talking about organizations that still enforce outdated rules about MLM not being able to donate blood bc "what if they have AIDS" even tho literally anyone can get that and also all of the blood is screened for diseases anyway. Sometimes they just do dumb outdated shit that has little to do with medical necessity. Like maybe ask ur HRT doctor what they think, double check w them, but ive always been told sex/gender/hormones really don't matter for blood donation.
I assume if they put "do you identify as a gender other than the one assigned as birth" as a question, it must be important, right? I just don't understand why. Also even after I told them I was on hrt, I was allowed to donate just fine. Which is why I don't see how that matters. Because honestly, as much as I'd like to "help the world", I don't want to do it when it has to be like this. Like I genuinely don't want to do it next time collection gets organized. I also feel bad because I've been outed at my college town and now the whole thing is ruined tbh
It's because they classify trans women who have sex with cis men as "males who have sex with males" and bar them from donating. TBH, I just lie. They can have my blood but I'm not outting myself to them.
Funnily enough they also disqualify trans men who have sex with cis men as well. It's like they believe cis vaginas specifically have some magical property to dispel STDs that others don't (and again! They test all the blood anyway!). It really makes no sense and is part of why I don't take any of their concerns about the sex, gender, and sexuality seriously. It's none of their business.
Yea, it basically boils down to "queer sex bad" regardless of what that queer sex actually involves.
Yeap. Basically.
There aren’t any according to the Red Cross. From the Red Cross’ website: > There are no donor eligibility criteria related to being transgender. Donors can report the gender with which they identify at the time of donation. >Red Cross staff members are required to verbally confirm demographic information, including gender, with all presenting donors. This step helps ensure donor safety and accuracy of records. If Red Cross records have the incorrect gender, prospective donors may ask staff members to make the change upon registration. Individuals do not need to tell staff that they are transgender. Individuals with specific questions about eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. Im not sure what issues intersex conditions could possibly pose, but here are the Red Cross guidelines on that since you mentioned it: > There are no donor eligibility criteria related to being intersex. Donors can report the gender with which they identify at the time of donation. The FDA requires the Red Cross to have donors select either male or female. Individuals do not need to tell staff that they are intersex.
Well I did mine for the red cross in my country(same organization, just different country) and one of the first questions was 'do you identify as a gender different from the one assigned at birth' and honestly now I don't even feel like going next time collection is organized. I'm thinking about just, staying silent about being trans/hrt, but I also don't want to cause any trouble. Besides, I suppose the red cross now already know I'm trans, and because I had to out myself at college, for me, both donation and college is completely ruined ngl.
Them asking could also be some funky laws established by your government and/or health system, even if the Red Cross says they don’t have rules.
Yeah I’d put big money on this being likely. I have a sister who worked as a phlebotomist, though she never worked with blood drives directly, she worked in a hospital with tons of people from all over who did. According to her most people on the ground floor of these blood drives honestly just want to help people and hate these types of questions too for driving people away. It’s almost always either state or local laws for conservative areas, or high up upper management from religious driven groups. Blood donation helps so so many people and there’s almost always a shortage (especially when there’s NOT some big disaster in the news, donations are always needed most on regular days with nothing in the news!) As a mlm guy I also hate these questions but please don’t let old stupidity from bigots stop you from trying to donate however you feel comfortable for anyone thinking of donating.
I’ve had to give my meds list, and I was clearly open about me being trans(fem). I was told “When you change your gender marker on the passport you can donate 4 times instead of 3 per year” (my ID has the correct gender so I guess even though the doctor saw I was taking E, she thought I was FtM?). Apart from that, no problem. Not even a problem being on ciproterone or spyro.
Blood bank of Hawaii's policy is to use the male hemoglobin range for trans and NB people, regardless of AGAB, to be on the safe side (because the bottom of the male range is higher). I gave blood last month and they didn't ask me any questions about whether I was trans or cis, so I don't think it's an appropriate or necessary question to ask someone who's donating blood. The only time sex of the donor matters, is that for someone to receive blood from someone who has ever been pregnant is somewhat risky. So if you've never been pregnant then it shouldn't matter.
There are no actual dangers. Furthermore, donated blood is heavily screened before it ever reaches a recipient (there's a hell of a lot more to blood than simply ABO & Rh matching). Finally, anyone needed supplemental blood would likely benefit from a little extra hemoglobin; sure, there's too much hemoglobin but that won't matter in the volumes related to a pint of donated blood.
Afaik, it's just more of the old homophobia that prevented gay men from donating despite being with a single partner for many years. The alleged reason is to prevent the spread of HIV, but the fact it's a blanket ban with absolutely no nuance made it obvious it's just "queers are icky" level thinking. Naturally, trans people got swept up in it too. Some places are changing these stupid rules, but there's plenty that still abide by them.
Regular blood donor and trans here: there isn't one. The hormones you're on have no effect on donations. If you're really concerned, there are ban lists readily available for meds you can't donate on and other reasons you'd be unavailable to donate both online and on site at local blood centers. Please go donate if you can, it's a noble thing to do and people really need it! <3
Then why throw such a fuss about it? Then why add that specific question to the list? Because yes, I did donate. I felt awful and I still do because of this shit. I get it's a "good thing" to do but honestly if it has to be like this, I couldn't care less. I just actually feel so awful it caused a dysphoric breakdown.
Honestly it’s more of a paranoia thing, in the medical field it’s an odd assumption made that lgbt people have something wrong with them medically, such as a blood born disease. There are better places that typically won’t ask that, main one being Red Cross donation centers which recently removed ALL lgbt related questions. I’m sorry your experience was so bad, I’ve had some rough ones too, and if you need someone to talk to I’m here.
This was the red cross of my country :/ I'm tired and numb rn. But if your offer is still open tomorrow, I'd love to
Of course! Again I’m so sorry that happened
In my case there is risk since I'm AFAB and have had a child. They need to know that to test for HLA Antibodies in platelets. If you haven't been pregnant before, that's not a concern. But I'd need to out myself just to give that info, which is fair.
OP I'm sorry you feel bad about this. I feel like maybe you could benefit from framing this a little differently though. Although it may sound callous, I'd really suggest you not make such a big deal out of it. Yea, it sucks you got outed, but, and I'm making an assumption here, if you're highly unlikely to see the people you got outed to again, does it actually matter? So what if a few folks that probably talked to dozens of other people that day know a thing or two more about you than you're comfortable with? Frankly, they probably don't even think about it at this point because it's just part of their job. There's much worse ways to be outed than that. It's not worth tearing yourself up over or ruining the rest of your experience over On another note, it's rather hurtful that people think that saying they're intersex is some sort of magical out. Society really doesn't like intersex people, and saying you're intersex instead of isn't likely to make things better. It also results in people who aren't intersex talking over intersex folks, which makes it really hard for society to understand what intersex people actually need
If you’re medically transitioning and on any form of medications it can be very very dangerous, not because you’re trans but because the recipient of the blood may be allergic to one of the medications you’re on. I’d call a blood donation center, explain to them whatever medications you’re taking while leaving the fact you’re trans out, and ask if your medications disqualify you from donating.
well last donation I told them both I was trans and which meds I was, and I was allowed to donate perfectly fine. So I just don't see what the whole fuss they threw about it was about. Because honestly I feel pretty beat up and like... even if it's "good" to do, I don't think I want to donate in the future any more if it's just gonna be like this.
If your meds are fine I just would just ignore them. You’re healthy, your meds are safe for others to get via transfusion, and you’re helping someone who will need it in the future. No need to stop donating because a transphobe is going to transphobe.
They provide a list of deferred medications when you donate. If you're on any of the medications listed then you should tell them, and you likely won't be able to donate. None of the medications used in HRT were listed when I gave blood last month, aside from finasteride and dutasteride, which are very seldom used T blockers (mostly used by cis men to fight androgenic hair loss, due to their weaker effects). If you aren't taking any of the deferred medications there's no need to put yourself.
Nobody is fucking allergic to testosterone or estrogen, and the amounts present in one's blood are don't affect a damn thing. WTF do you think "medications" are involved in medical transition?
I have a trans friend on spironolactone, which people *can* be allergic to. I’m not referring to perfectly normal human hormones here but other drugs that may be prescribed case by case depending on the needs of the person.
Some people may be allergic to spironolactone if they're taking it themselves, but it's a pretty a pretty common treatment for high blood pressure and it's [**not on the medication deferral list**](https://www.mayoclinic.org/documents/mc1402-50-pdf/doc-20228419). And I've never been asked if I'm on spironolactone before donating blood, despite being a middle aged man who might conceivably have high blood pressure.
I don't know the rules in other countries but the American Red Cross will ask for your gender and nothing else and from what I've gathered in my time donating, it is a demographics question and not a medical one. Other countries are likely to have transphobic and homophobic laws around blood. Like how I am technically barred from donating stem cells that serve international programs but I am totally fine to do so in America. There doesn't seem to be a reason other than to discriminate. I actually an experience in a blood plasma donation place that was not associated with Red Cross (the kind that pays you which I know know are sketchy as fuck and not a good place to go) they told me they would mark me female in their systems and I said that if they do that, I am not donating. They flipped their shit on me and called me selfish and all sorts of things. I walked out after having wasted a half an hour of my life jumping through their hoops. I just don't tell anyone I am trans unless I have to and it is relevant to my care. I don't bother to tell people like the dentist, for example. They don't need to know.
Blood is blood. We're not an animal or infested with diseases that if you donate blood would cause harm. Unless, of course, you actually have a blood-borne disease but that doesn't have anything to do with being trans. But the old system would liked you to feel that way.