Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

"Donation not Discrimination"

November 1, 2006 12:51 PM

DELGA has welcomed tomorrow's National Union of Students national campaign day on the ban on blood donation by gay and bisexual men, and their female partners. The campaign, "Donation not Discrimination", involves a nationwide wave of awareness stalls, petition-signing, but also encouraging those who are allowed to donate under the current rules to do so.

DELGA Executive member Jen Yockney commented, "The ban is an anachronism from the early 1980s when the transmission of HIV was still not properly understood. It is mistaken, because it restricts blood donations based on sexual orientation rather than sexual behaviour. That was an understandable approach in those early days, but our grasp of HIV and AIDS has moved on a long way since then. For many years now it has been clear that what matters is not who you are having sex with, but how you are having sex."

"The blood donation rules, through their blanket-ban approach, blur the message about safer sex as well as needlessly restricting the supply of blood. Change is long overdue."

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2006/085530/donation-not-discrimination
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    delga.org.uk/a03H9

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image
  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your contact details, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting


    • Generate different image
  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    • If you agree, the Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image