Gay blood donation timeframe welcomed
Six month monogamy rule reinforces stereotypes
Advocates have welcomed Lifeblood’s announcement of a timeframe for allowing gay blood donation but say the proposed donor questions are not global best practices.
Spokesperson for the Let Us Give campaign, Rodney Croome, said,
“It’s welcome to see there is now a timeframe for the lifting of the current ban on blood donation by gay men, and bisexual men and trans women who have sex with men.”
“There will be a significant number of new gay, bisexual and transgender donors who will seek to give the gift of life after the current ban is finally lifted on April 20th.”
“The lifting of the ban will mean there is more safe blood for those in need and it will help reduce the stigma cast over all LGBTIQA people by the current exclusion.”
“But the questions Lifeblood will ask donors from April are not best practices.”
“Lifeblood will ask donors if they have been monogamous for six months whereas countries like the US, UK and Canada only require three months of monogamy.”
“Six months is an unnecessarily long monogamy period given that HIV infection can be detected within less than two weeks.”
“Lifeblood is sending the negative message that because gay, bisexual and transgender people can now donate, the monogamy requirements must be stricter.”
“This will unnecessarily limit the amount of safe blood collected and will reinforce traditional myths and stereotypes about LGBTIQA people, monogamy and sexual risk.”
For a copy of this statement on the web, click here
For more information call Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668.
