HIV researcher says STIs no basis for gay blood ban

This media release was issued by the TGLRG on 30.9.08.

HIV researcher, Prof John Kaldor, has agreed rates of sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV are not a basis upon which to ban gay men from blood donation.

The concession came during evidence from Prof Kaldor to the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal hearing into gay blood donation which continued in Hobart today.

During his evidence, Prof Kaldor has also agree that gay oral sex is safe and that having a period of celibacy from gay anal sex that is longer than the current HIV-detection period of nine days is "conservative".

However, Prof Kaldor still maintains that gay anal sex is a high risk activity even when condoms are used.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said that Prof Kaldor's views on oral sex, celibacy periods and other STIs contradicts the Red Cross case that all gay sex is high risk and STIs in the gay community such as syphilis pose a considerable risk.

"Prof Kaldor has dented the Red Cross case, but we are very concerned by his view that gay anal sex with a condom is risker than straight sex without."

"The statistics he uses to back this up are taken from a highly unrepresentative study in which 55% of the sexual acts reported took place in gay saunas and another 36% at cruising areas or "beats".

Mr Croome said he is pleased the Tribunal has asked Prof Kaldor to provide evidence of the risk of HIV transmission between monogamous male partners who always use condoms.

"We expect this will show a significantly lower risk of HIV transmission than other male sex, and quite a bit of heterosexual sex."

Witnesses for the Red Cross and for gay blood donation campaign, Michael Cain, will now have an opportunity to respond to Prof Kaldor.

These responses will not occur next week as flagged but in three to four weeks' time.

Professor Kaldor was giving evidence in a case taken by Launceston man, Michael Cain, who was refused the opportunity to give blood in 2003 when he admitted to blood collection officers that he was in a same-sex relationship.

For more information contact Rodney Croome on 0409 010 668 or Michael Cain on 0400 734 798.

For more on gay blood donation visit www.gayblooddonation.org