Gay blood ban lifted

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It was announced yesterday that gay men will at last be able to donate blood, a restriction that was put in place in the 1980's to reduce HIV contamination. However there are still strict guidelines for gay men who would now like to donate, which include a 12 month deferral, which means this person cannot have engaged in any anal or oral sexual contact for the past 12 months. This is due to the window period associated with Hepatitis B.

Although this is a step in the right direction for equality, gay rights organisation Stonewall, its chief executive Ben Summerskill said there would still be tighter controls on low-risk gay men than on high-risk heterosexuals."A gay man in a monogamous relationship who has only had oral sex will still automatically be unable to give blood but a heterosexual man who has had multiple partners and not worn a condom will not be questioned about his behaviour, or even then, excluded."

To find out more http://www.blood.co.uk/

What are your thoughts on this current breaking news? Do you think it’s a step in the right direction or do you agree with Ben? Let us know your thoughts with a comment.

Published: 9th September 2011 by Matt (updated Thu 21st Jan)