WHY TRANSGENDER, GAY INDIVIDUAL AND SEX WORKERS BANNED FROM DONATING BLOOD? SC 

7th March

On Friday, the Apex Court sought response from the central government in a writ petition by a queer Activist challenging blood donation guidelines that have banned transgender, sex workers, etc., from donating blood by categorizing them in a high blood risk group.

The public interest litigation filed by Thangjam Singh stated that clauses 51 and 12 of Guideline on Blood Donor Selection and Blood Donor Referral, 2017 are arbitrary towards transgender, sex workers, and gay men by prohibiting them from donating blood. It is further submitted that all blood units are screened and tested for diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C & B, permanently excluding them based on their gender identity, and sexual orientation is a violation of their fundamental rights- article 14, 15 and 21.

Lastly, the petitioner urged that blood transfusion needed more than ever for an emergency, elective surgeries, and treatments during this pandemic. And trans people, sex workers, and gay men should be allowed to donate blood to help people in need.

Although The Supreme Court issued notice to the central government on the writ petition but did not grant interim relief of stay stating that the Court is not a scientific expert.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal

Picture Credit = Hindustantimes