The gay men who can donate blood in the UK for the first time

Gay couple Oscar and Xavier say they feel "proud" about donating blood for the very first time in the UK.

Before now, any male donor who'd had sex with another man in the previous three months couldn't give blood.

But new rules in England, Scotland and Wales mean that anyone who has had the same sexual partner for three months or more will now be eligible to donate.

All donors will also now be asked the same questions about their sexual behaviours regardless of their gender or sexuality.

The changes are expected to come into effect in Northern Ireland in September.

Produced by: Rob Brown

Filmed by: Rob Brown and Tom Beal

14 June 2021