For the first time, bisexual and homosexual men in Sweden can now donate blood under the same rules as heterosexual men, according to a report from SVT Skåne. Region Skåne has become the first region in the country to offer blood donation for these new donor groups.
On Monday, opera singer and LGBTQ profile Rickard Söderberg registered as a blood donor at the blood center in Malmö. "For me, it's a big day. You want to be able to contribute and give, and now I can. It's about time," Söderberg said.
For me, it's a big day. You want to be able to contribute and give, and now I can. It's about time,
The rule change marks a significant shift from previous policies. Before 2012, men who had sexual contact with other men were not allowed to donate blood at all. Rules have been gradually relaxed since then, and since December 2025, men who have sex with men reportedly have the same opportunities as other individuals to donate blood.
The change follows years of advocacy, including the Rainbow Blood initiative started in 2019, which pushed for individual risk assessment rather than blanket bans. "It has been a very long struggle and journey. This is something I have fought for and longed for," said Tobias Ström, founder of the Rainbow Blood initiative.
It has been a very long struggle and journey. This is something I have fought for and longed for,
According to the report, Region Skåne is the first region to offer men in these donor groups the opportunity to become blood donors on equal terms. However, under the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's decision, all regions in the country must implement the new rules by August 7, 2027 at the latest.