Canadian Blood Services says it's not yet softening its ban on blood from gay men, despite media reports to the contrary. But a group representing gay and lesbian Canadians said they want to see the change now.

Canadian Blood Services continuing gay ban

CBS handles the country’s blood donations and has refused to take blood from men who have had sex with other men since 1977, arguing they’re at higher risk of HIV infection.

Critics say the ban is homophobic, since it’s risky sexual behaviour that puts people in danger of HIV infection, not simply having sex with another man.

But a spokeswoman for CBS says things have changed and they’re now looking at what other countries are doing. Some countries now allow men to donate blood one year after they’ve had sex with another man, Toronto Sun reports.