Triple-X Workers' Solidarity Association of B.C.

 

 

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Planning To Donate Blood in Canada?

End The Blood Ban

Not if you are a sex worker.

UPDATE: In October 2022 Canadian Blood Services, with approval from Health Canada, reduced the lifetime ban from giving blood for selling sex to a one-year deferral. Triple-X president, Andy Sorfleet unpacks the continuing discrimination and stigma of this blood donation policy on the CATIE Blog: "Sex, Scandal and scapegoats: Canada's blood donation policy for sex workers."

"Government policies designed to protect the public's health should be based on scientific evidence, not prejudice. All questions regarding sexual services transactions as a basis for eligibility for donating blood must be removed to end this stigma."

Under Canada's previous blood donation policy, if you have "traded sex for money or drugs since 1977," there was a lifetime ban from donating blood. Canadian Blood Services announced that the indefinite deferral on blood donations for trading sex for money would be reduced to one year pending approval from Health Canada on May 27, 2022

In July, Triple-X submitted a brief to officials at Health Canada in support of removing the lifetime ban for sex workers. In the submission, Triple-X calls for the removal of all questions regarding sexual services transactions. "Sexual activity, not commercial activity, contributes to increased risk of sexually transmitted blood-borne infection (STBBI). Questions need to focus on sexual acts only."

Triple-X also asks that Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada endorse and advocate for the decriminalization of the purchase of sexual services (Criminal Code Section 286.1). "Occupational health and safety, and sex workers' role in the safe sex education of their clients, are important avenues to promote STBBI prevention."

Triple-X's submission to Health Canada includes a Special Edition full-colour insert featuring sex worker safe sex education in Canada from 1985 to 1995 to commemorate the 24th International AIDS Conference Montreal, 29 July - 2 August 2022. Triple-X is also distributing a commemorative enamel pin as part of their education campaign about Canadian blood donation policies for sex workers.

You can download our submission to Health Canada, here: Sex, Scandal and Scapegoats: Canada's Blood Donation Ban for Selling Sexual Services.

Triple-X commemorative enamel pin
Triple-X commemorative enamel pin

Triple-X commemorative enamel pin
Special Edition full-colour insert to commemorate the 24th International AIDS Conference Montreal, 29 July - 2 August 2022.



Last modified: December 16, 2022
Created: May 24, 2022
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