Debate Over Blood Donation Guidelines Reaches Supreme Court: Transgender and Gay Men Advocacy

The Supreme Court is reviewing a challenge to 2017 guidelines that bar transgender individuals, gay men, and sex workers from donating blood. The Centre, citing expert opinions, supports maintaining the restrictions for safety. Petitioners argue the guidelines are discriminatory and based on stigma rather than actual risk.

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing appeals against the 2017 guidelines that prevent transgender people, gay men, and sex workers from donating blood. These guidelines, issued by the National Blood Transfusion Council and the National Aids Control Organisation, have been criticised for being discriminatory.

Senior advocate Jayna Kothari, representing the petitioners, highlights that these guidelines unfairly single out certain communities by labeling them as high-risk without concrete evidence. The bench, however, expressed concern about even a minimal risk of infection to the millions relying on public blood banks.

The Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, defended the guidelines, citing expert opinions that warn against dilution. Petitioners argue that testing donated blood negates perceived risks, urging a reassessment of guidelines framed around stigmatized identities.

(With inputs from agencies.)