U.S. GAY BLOOD DONOR REFORM PROMPTS CALL FOR AUST TO LIFT GAY BLOOD BAN

ADVOCATES TO WRITE TO FEDERAL GOV'T TODAY 

 

 

Equality advocates will today write to the Red Cross Blood Service and the Federal Government asking for the ban on gay blood donation to be lifted to ensure Australia has an adequate supply of safe blood during the corona pandemic.

 

The move comes after the United States Food and Drug Administration eased restrictions on gay blood donation in that country by reducing the period gay men must abstain from sex before donating from twelve to three months.

 

Just.equal spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

 

"Blood donation experts have said blood will soon be in short supply in Australia and we believe allowing blood donation from gay men whose sexual activity is safe would increase the supply of safe blood for those in need."

 

"We call on the Australian Government to go further than the United States by removing the existing ban altogether and allowing gay men whose sexual activity is safe to donate."

 

"The risk of passing on diseases like HIV through blood donation is created by unsafe sex, not gay sex."

 

"The risk is reduced further by preventative treatments like PrEP."

 

"We should have a screening policy that focuses on safety of sexual activity rather than gender of sexual partner."

 

"There are thousands of gay men across Australia whose blood is safe and whose desire to help has never been greater."

 

"Let’s allow them to give the gift of life before it’s too late and the blood shortage bites."

 

"Today we will write to the Red Cross Blood Service and the Federal Government asking them to lift the current gay blood ban in the name of saving lives."

 

Mr Croome said a higher level of testing of blood donated by gay men could help ease any lingering concerns.

 

"Because this would be a new policy, we would be happy for the Red Cross to apply extra clinical testing to blood donated by gay men to ensure there is no risk to blood recipients."

 

"At a time of crisis like this, we can't allow old prejudices to get in the way of saving lives."

 

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service refuses blood donation from gay men who have had sex in the past twelve months.

 

Experts associated with the ARCBS predict there will be a blood shortage in Australia as early as Easter Monday because many regular donors are self-isolating or fearful of infection.

 

Mr Croome said the idea of a deferral period for gay men who want to give blood is a hang-over from the 1980s when HIV transmission was less well understood, tests for the virus were less reliable and being gay was synonymous with having AIDS.

 

For a report on developments in the US, click here

For expert concerns about a blood shortage in Australia, click here 

For a copy of this statement, click here