Groundbreaking gay blood ban case starts Thursday

This media alert was issued by the TGLRG on 5.8.08.

What: start of gay blood donor case
Where: Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, Magistrates Court, 23-25 Liverpool St, Hobart
When: 10am, Thursday 7th August with opening addresses for 3-4 hours
Who: gay blood donation litigant, Michael Cain, TGLRG spokesperson, Rodney Croome
More: www.gayblooddonation.org

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The first full hearing in a groundbreaking gay blood ban case begins in Hobart this Thursday before the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal.

The case was lodged in 2005 by Launceston gay man, Michael Cain, after he was refused the opportunity to give blood at the Launceston blood collection centre because he indicated he was in a sexual relationship with another man.

Mr Cain said "my case is simply that potential donors should be screened for the safety of their sexual activity rather than the gender of their sexual partner."

"I am looking forward to this important issue finally having its day in court"

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, also welcomed the Tribunal hearing.

"In most western countries improvements to blood testing has sparked reviews of outdated policies banning gay blood donation.

"My hope is that this case will open the eyes of the Australian Red Cross to an important global reform movement."

On Thursday, counsel for Mr Cain and the Red Cross Society will give their opening addresses.

Beginning on the following Tuesday, evidence will be given by expert witnesses.

All hearings are open to the public and the media.

For more information on Michael Cain's case and on gay blood donation generally, please visit www.gayblooddonation.org

Mr Cain can be contacted on 0400 734 798 and Mr Croome on 0409 010 668.

Witnesses for Michael Cain will include,

~ Dr Travis Porco, mathematical epidemiologist at the University of California San Francisco
~ Dr Scott Halpern, senior fellow of the Centre for Bioethics at the University of Philadelphia
~ Mr Bill Bowtell, senior adviser to Federal Health Minister, Dr Neal Blewett from 1983-87, architect of the Australian response to HIV/AIDS, including the deferral from blood donation of men who have sex with men, and fmr President of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.
~ Dr Anne Mitchell, Director of the Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria Unit at Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society
~ Dr Leslie Cannold, Bioethicist at the University of Melbourne

Dates and times for their appearances will be provided later this week.