Gay blood ban

[ladymissc]

The National Blood Service will not accept donations of blood from gay men or anyone who has had sex with a gay man.

All blood received by the NBS is routinely screened for HIV and AIDS. Surely the NBS would be better served by prohibiting donations from people who have had unsafe sex?
Many universities, schools and council-affiliated enterprises are unable to host NBS blood collections due to the NBS's contravention of these organisations' equal opportunities policies.
I can't believe this kind of discrimination exists. Is gay blood seriously considered more likely to be infected with HIV than straight blood? In 2006?
Interested to hear what others think. What are other people's experiences of blood donation?

[geordieboi]

The National Blood Service website (www.blood.co.uk) states:

"Please don't give blood if you think you need a test for HIV or Hepatitis, or if you have had sex in the past year with someone you think may be HIV positive or Hepatitis positive."

It also has a questionnaire which you click YES or NO to answer a series of questions. When you arrive at the question asking "Have you had sex with a man (even with a condom)?" and you click "Yes", the screen suddenly says "Thank you for your time but it would appear you can't give blood". It doesn't go into any specific reasons as to why, and the link offering to view their FAQ's about why not doesn't give any details either.

I can certainly understand that gay people may be classed as a higher risk etc, but am honestly quite surprised that they aren't allowed to give blood. I didn't know that!

[dazza190574]

I complained about this to the Blood Service years ago and never got anywhere.

Like other people have said elsewhere, surely there's as much risk as heterosexuals having unprotected sex as homosexuals having protected/unprotected (silly) sex.

I wonder what the Blood Service stance is on discrimination.

I used to give blood all the time until I started sleeping with men. And they moan on about a blood shortage.

I can understand the reasons etc, but it is a bit harsh. Isn't our blood as good as everyone elses?

Just goes to show what an honest bunch we are. We could just walk in and answer no to all of the questions.

[ladymissc]

A few years ago there was media interest in this started by a letter in the Pink Paper from a gay man who said he donated blood and never disclosed his gay identity, because he believed it was important to give blood because it is a life saving cause. The then Chairman of the NBS was quoted in national press, calling gay men who donated blood 'evil'.
There was no adequate defense for the discrimination then, either.
Once I asked a volunteer worker, who was canvassing for a donor session in a university where I was working, why the NBS had this policy. She obviously felt very awkward and unsure,. and said 'Well the only thing I can say is that we never refuse to give blood to anyone..' I just always remember that because I think it was supposed to sound kind and equalising but just made me think like, whats so wrong with gay blood? In the '80s, maybe this kind of ban is to be expected, but now it's just offensive and senseless.
Why won't they defend their policy - like, there's nothing on their site, gboi, but they should explain why they have the ban. And you complained dazza but no explanations forthcoming...
It's because there is no reason or excuse, I think.