Third Gender Equality: Transgender Prohibited from Donating Blood in Kolkata

A deeply saddening occurrence unfolded in Kolkata when a transgender individual was initially denied the opportunity to donate blood at a Banhughly blood donation event due to the perceived HIV risk. Following a disagreement, the health worker eventually permitted the transgender person to donate blood. However, this incident prompts inquiries into the reasons behind restricting transgender individuals from blood donation.

Ranjit Sur, the General Secretary of the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), criticized the incident, deeming it a violation of human rights. He uncovered a National Blood Transfusion Council guideline disallowing blood donation by transgender, gay, homosexual, or lesbian individuals, but found the reasoning unconvincing and unscientific. Sur emphasized that blood donation constitutes a societal obligation and asserted that preventing someone from donating blood based on gender identity amounted to a human rights violation. He underscored the significance of addressing this matter earnestly.

Anurag Maitrayee, a transgender rights advocate and the main speaker, conveyed to ANI that donating blood is their entitlement, just like any other citizen. They emphasized that being denied the opportunity for blood donation is a deeply humiliating experience for them.

Dr. Manabi Bandopadhyay, the Principal of the college affiliated with Calcutta University, informed ANI that there exist no particular regulations or directives from either the central or state government that prohibit transgender individuals from participating in blood donation. Such guidelines are made by non government institutions and are inhuman.

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