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Can gay men donate sperm? Debunking the myths around LGBTQ+ sperm donation
For many years, there’s been confusion and misinformation about whether gay men can donate sperm in the UK. Outdated restrictions and vague guidance have led some to believe that gay or bisexual men are automatically excluded from donation. That’s not the case — and it’s time to set the record straight.
Yes — gay men can donate sperm in the UK
There are no legal restrictions on sperm donation based on sexual orientation. At London Sperm Bank, we welcome all potential donors — regardless of whether you’re gay, bisexual, queer or straight.
What matters is your health, age, and medical screening results, not who you date or sleep with. If you meet the criteria and pass the necessary tests, you can donate.
Clearing up the confusion around LGBTQ+ sperm donation
There’s still a lot of misinformation around sperm donation for gay and bisexual men. In short: yes, gay men can become sperm donors. Sexual orientation is not part of the eligibility criteria in the UK.
Much of the confusion stems from historic rules around blood donation, which previously restricted men who have sex with men. While those policies have evolved, many people wrongly assume the same restrictions apply to sperm banks. That’s not the case.
At London Sperm Bank, we welcome LGBTQ+ donors and follow the latest guidance from the HFEA — focusing on health, not identity.
What are the real requirements for sperm donors?
To donate sperm in the UK, you typically need to be:
- Aged 18–45
- In good general health
- Willing to undergo medical and genetic screening
- Able to commit to a few visits over several months
Sexual orientation does not affect your ability to apply or donate. All donors — regardless of identity — follow the same process. That includes semen analysis, infection screening, and genetic testing. These steps ensure that all donations are safe, viable, and suitable for use in fertility treatment.
Why London Sperm Bank welcomes LGBTQ+ donors
We believe that the best donors are those who are committed, healthy, and motivated to help others — full stop.
Whether you’re gay, bi, queer or trans, your identity shouldn’t be a barrier to making a difference. We’re proud to offer an inclusive, respectful experience to everyone who walks through our doors.
We also know that representation matters. Future parents come from all backgrounds — and we want our donor pool to reflect that diversity.
What if I’ve been turned away before?
If you were previously told you couldn’t donate because of your sexuality, that information may have been inaccurate — or based on old rules that no longer apply.
At London Sperm Bank, we use up-to-date guidelines based on current health research and HFEA regulations. If you’re healthy, within the age range, and pass our screenings, you’re eligible to donate.
So if you’re ready to apply — or want to double-check your eligibility — we encourage you to get in touch.
Ready to donate?
Whether you’re looking to give someone the chance to start a family or just want to explore the process, we’d love to hear from you.
Start your application today and help change lives? Apply to be a sperm donor today.