Gay men or MSMs are prevented from donating blood in England, even though a ‘lifetime ban’ on Gay men donating blood was lifted in 2011. In Northern Ireland, gay men may be also to get married, but they still cannot donate blood to their significant other! The National Health Service had recently indicated that blood stocks were low.

This discrimination came to light when Conservative Member of Parliament Michael Fabricant attacked the government for its ‘lack of research’ into current restrictions of men who have sex with men (MSM) donating blood.

MSMs are banned from donating blood in England, Scotland and Wales if they have had sexual contact with another man within the last 12 months, regardless of their relationship status or whether they used condoms.  This rule does not apply to ‘straight’ or ‘heterosexual’ men.

A lifetime ban on MSMs giving blood was lifted in 2011 – though it remains in place in Northern Ireland.

Mr Fabricant, who has campaigned for current restrictions to be eased, asked the Department of Health whether it had researched the prevalence of viral diseases like HIV or Hepatitis B in men who are married or in civil partnerships and compared this with other sexually active gay men.

When Minister for Public Health Jane Ellison answered there was “no such comparative research has been undertaken”, Mr Fabricant responded that there could be “no clear basis” for the blanket ban.

He called for more research to be undertaken, adding that the restrictions should be reduced to 6-9 months and should not apply to monogamous couples or those who practice safe sex.

Highlighting recent shortages of National Health Service blood stocks, the 65-year-old MP said that “illogical bans on donors” must be stopped.

[rewritten by Pragya for Newsnet Desk]

  AIDS, Gay, HIV, Lesbian, LGBT, Michael Fabricant, MSM, UK