The NUS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Campaign has campaigned against the ban for the past five years. Hundreds of LGBT students have joined the campaign, and tens of thousands of people have signed our petition against the ban. Stonewall, the National Aids Trust, Unison LGBT and a growing number of scientific and medical experts have also publicly stated their concern about the ban.
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SaBTO, the advisory committee to the Department of Health (which in turn advises NBS), have announced a public meeting as part of its review into donor referrals and exclusions. We will be holding an information picket and a photo stunt outside the meeting. We are calling for SaBTO to end the blanket ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood.
Should SaBTO be unwilling to repeal the ban immediately, we would call for a high-profile public and transparent review of the policy involving representatives of the LGBT community. The review should review and commission evidence, explore alternative policies and practices and ensure any policy adheres to anti-discrimination legislation.
Whilst donating blood is not a right, it is a responsibility - one which healthy gay and bisexual men should be able to exercise without fear of prejudice or discrimination. The ban as it currently stands demeans their ability to participate in this altruistic act, and contributes to a damaging and prejudiced perception of gay and bisexual men which belongs in the past.