SDLP Youth are continuing to campaign for an end to homophobia and all hate crimes. Today, Sunday 17th May, is the International Day of Action against Homophobia (IDAHO).

SDLP Youth Chairperson Peter Armstrong said “IDAHO is a fantastic opportunity to highlight homophobia in our society and work towards making it history. We can also use this day to highlight inequalities and to address all hate crimes.

“In particular, we are working to address inequalities in our health system, such as the fact that a large percentage of our population cannot give blood simply due to their sexual orientation. The health service, are continually seeking donors due to blood shortages. However the National Blood Service will not accept any blood donations from any man that has ever had sex with another man. This does not take into consideration any part of their sexual history or health.

“The ban can no longer be justified and the health service should adopt a policy that is based on actual risk and not sexual orientation. This policy is clearly discriminatory considering the fact that more heterosexual men than gay men are newly diagnosed with HIV each year.

Concluding Peter said “SDLP Youth have requested to meet with Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey. We will meet with representatives from his department in the next few weeks, and we will be urging them to launch a full review of the MSM blood ban.”

SDLP Youth have expressed concern at the increase in the number of young people with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in the North of Ireland.

Vice Chair Peter Armstrong said, “SDLP Youth have been campaigning on sexual health, within a wider young people welfare campaign, for some time and unfortunately this news just proves that awareness is still low. Young people in the North seem to have ‘it will not happen to me’ syndrome.

“There needs to be a radical change in culture. It is important that young feel comfortable to talk about their sexual health. They require increased access to proper education and information and above all sexually active young people need to be encouraged to visit health clinics on a regular basis.”

Hi guys,

I’d just like to ask you all to sign our online petition to cut VAT on condoms across the EU. The campaign is really important because as we approach World Aids Day, we want to remind governments that AIDS is still an issue, and within the EU it remains as much of a problem as elsewhere. The common tariff for VAT on condoms would be a step closer to getting a common, unified policy for dealing with AIDS.

Please, please take 2 minutes to sign our petition!!! I will be delivering it personally to the ECOFIN Council which gathers all 27 finance ministers from across the EU. Your contribution is important.

Simply log onto: http://www.socialistgroup.eu/gpes/petition.do?lg=en

Thanks

Niamh

P.S. Thank you to those of you who have already signed!

SDLP Youth University & Colleges Officer Peter Armstrong has called on young people to wear a red ribbon to raise awareness of HIV and help end prejudice.

Peter said, “World AIDS Day is a time to remember that 40 million people worldwide are living with AIDS. That’s 60,000 people in the UK living with HIV and 7,000 more diagnosed with HIV this year. However HIV is an entirely preventable disease – it is important that young people know how to protect themselves from HIV and Aids.”

“SDLP Youth have been campaigning on sexual health for some time. To protect against HIV and other STDs there needs to be consistent and proper use of condoms. World Aids Day aims to increase awareness and prevent more people from getting HIV.

“Young people in the North seem to have ‘it will not happen to me’ syndrome. This attitude has to change. We need a new culture were young people feel free to talk about sexual health and visit sexual health clinics on a regular basis. The longer STD’s remain untreated the more the risks increase. I urge young people to wear a red ribbon on World Aids Day to show their support for this campaign.”

SDLP youth have today expressed their deep regret at the increase in the number of young people with Sexually Transmitted Infections in the North of Ireland.

Chairman John O’Doherty said, “SDLP youth have been campaigning on sexual health, within a wider young people welfare campaign, for some time and this news just proves that awareness is still low. Young people in the North seem to have ‘it will not happen to me’ syndrome.

“A new culture needs to be introduced in Northern Ireland. A culture of good sexual health, were young people feel free to talk about sexual health and visit sexual health clinics on a regular basis. The longer STI’s go untreated the more the risks increase. I urge all young people throughout the Island to take their health seriously always use a condom and get checked out on a regular basis.”

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NOTES TO EDITOR

It was announced today by the health protection agency that the number of STI’s across the UK have increased with the highest increase in young people 16-24

More details on SDLP Youth campaign on sexual health can be found on www.sdlpyouth.com