LLANDUDNO, February 24, 2008  –  Gay men in Wales should be allowed to give blood, the youth wing of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Party (Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru) are suggesting to the party’s conference this weekend.

They point out that because of the shortage of blood un the UK’s National Blood Service, the Welsh NHS is have to use blood imported from Australia where gay men are permitted to donate blood.

The conference is being asked to back the call by younger members of the party to end “homophobic practice” in the NHS.
 

“In all other areas of life, Wales accepts that people should not be victims of prejudice based on their sexual orientation,” says Paul Harding, chair of MIDR Cymru, the youth wing.

“Yet gay men are the victims of discrimination in the health service in the 21st century.

“A significant proportion of the population are prevented from giving blood, by this narrow minded, old-fashioned stance,” he continued.

“In Australia, gay men are allowed to give blood.  Due to shortages in the UK blood service, Australian blood has been imported to the UK.  Yet gay men are still barred from giving blood in the UK.

“Gay men are part of society. They should have the same rights as everyone else. It’s time to end the prejudice and let gay men save lives too.”

The resolution points out that all potential blood donors are screened for diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B, & Hepatitis C, regardless of their stated sexual history.

And it goes on to say that “HIV is not limited to practising homosexuals”, with the rates of heterosexual HIV contraction are rising within the UK.

The resolution to be put to the conference calls for:

■ The Welsh Blood Service to work with the UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantations Service to eliminate this policy.

■ For the Welsh Assembly Government to encourage the Welsh & UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantations Service to eliminate this policy.

■ The Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson to write to the Welsh &UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantations Service, informing them of this policy.

As in many countries, there is a blanket ban on gay men donating blood throughout the United Kingdom

SEE ALSO

Campaign Launched to Combat the Ban on Gays Becoming Blood Donors.  A new group has been set-up to protest the ban on gay blood donors within the UK.  The group, Blood Ban, has today launched a website.  (UK Gay News, January 24, 2007)

European Commission Quizzed Further on Gay Blood Donation Bans, Gender Discrimination.   The bans on gays donating blood in several European Union countries is to be further questioned by the European Parliament’s Intergroup on gay and lesbian rights, it emerged today. (UK Gay News, January 24, 2007)

Lib-Dems Question Gay Blood Ban.   Health Minister Patricia Hewitt has been challenged by Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Women and Equality, Lorely Burt MP, over the continued complete ban on gay and bisexual men, and one-year ban on their straight or bisexual female partners, donating blood.  (UK Gay News, June 19, 2006)

Scottish Students Protest Gay Discrimination in Blood Transfusion Service.  Inequality in the Scottish blood transfusion service is being highlighted this week with a series of events being held by students across Scotland.  (March 7, 2006)

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Posted: 24 February 2008 at 01:00 (UK time) updated 25 February