NEW STUDY BOOSTS CALL FOR END OF GAY BLOOD BAN
A new Australian study shows gay and bisexual men overwhelmingly believe the ban on gay blood donation is homopbobic and would give blood if allowed.
The study, published on May 2nd in the peer-reviewed journal, Transfusion, also highlights international research showing gay and bisexual men who have safe sex are no more likely to pass on disease through blood donation than heterosexual men.
Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,
"This study confirms that there would be a substantial increase in safe blood available to save lives if sexually-active gay and bisexual men are allowed to donate."
"With the blood supply decreasing because of the pandemic, it's time for Australia to adopt a more rational blood donation policy that screens donors for sexual safety rather than gender of sexual partner."
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration has proposed the current twelve month celibacy period before gay and bisexual men donate be reduced to three months, a change that the states and territories have been asked to assent to.
Mr Croome said a three-month celibacy period will not remove discrimination or increase available blood.
Just.equal and PFLAG recently launched a new campaign allowing supporters of a new policy to write to all health ministers. It can be found
here.
Summary of study
The study of 1595 Australian gay and bisexual men found
- 77.7% would give blood if they were allowed
- 74.7% said the 12 month celibacy rule is homophobic and 80.6% said it is unfair
- Younger gay and bisexual men were more likely to say they would give blood
- A Dutch study conducted in 2018 found low risk men who have sex with men "showed no higher risk of transfusion transmissible infections than matched heterosexual male donors" (Bilsen, Zaaijer & Matser et al)
Link to study
For this statement on the web click
hereFor more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668
