Sweden Partially Lifts Gay Blood Bans

Swedish authorities announced on Tuesday that a ban on gay blood donors will be lifted in 2010.

"Men who have had sex with men will no longer be permanently barred from donating blood," the National Board of Health and Welfare said in a statement, reports AFP.

While the blanket ban will be removed, gay male sex will be defined as a risky behavior. As a result, men who engage in gay sex within a year will not be able to donate.

Sweden joins countries including Russia that have already changed their laws to allow gay men to donate blood. Meanwhile, the United States and England still bar men who have had sex with men from donating.

The new regulations will go into effect March 1.