Call for gay blood donor review in wake of teen donor reform

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on June 6, 2008

In the wake of a reduction of the Tasmanian blood donor age to 16, gay activists have called on state health officials and the Red Cross to review the ban on gay blood donation.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that gay men who have safe sex within monogamous relationships are at less risk of HIV infection than many heterosexuals who have unsafe sex but are still allowed to donate blood.

"If the guidelines can be changed to allow younger people to donate, why not gay men whose blood is safe", Mr Croome said.

"All blood donors should be screened for the safety of their sexual activity not irrelevant factors like their sexuality or the gender of their partner."

Mr Croome called on State Health Minister, Lara Giddings, to review the current policy.

"Banning gay men from blood donation is bad health policy, not only because it is an example of unnecessary discrimination but because it reduces the amount of safe blood available for transfusion."

"It's in the hands of state health ministers to sign off on blood donation policies, and we call on Ms Giddings to reconsider her current support for the gay blood ban."

A case against the current gay blood ban from Launceston man, Michael Cain, is currently before the State Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.

A full hearing in the case is scheduled to begin in August.

For further comment contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Michael Cain on 0400 734 798.