IDAHO 2009: SDLP Youth Campaign Against MSM Blood Ban
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
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.”

