Have you ever given blood? Or have you ever thought to give blood? Someone you know gave blood? Well, not everyone actually has the choice to donate blood. Up until last year, men who had had sexual intercourse with another man in the previous three months were not allowed to give blood; it wasn’t an option. Now, anyone who has had the same sexual partner for the previous three months or more is eligible to donate blood.
Up until the Sexual Offences Act of 1967, it was illegal to be homosexual and commit homosexual acts. Even war heroes such as Alan Turing were victim to discrimination due to being gay, with Turing being subject to chemical castration despite the fact he had a huge part to play in us winning the second world war. Society still held a mixed opinion on homosexuality and many people turned their nose up at those who did express these desires, escalating further when the AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s hit.
AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name given to a number of life-threatening infections transferred to the body by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV damages the cells in your immune system, weakening the ability to fight off infections. Although there is no cure for HIV, there are a number of drugs that enable sufferers to live long and healthy lives. The key to tackling it is to spot the signs early and treat it effectively.
Misinformation spread among tabloids especially, marking it as the ‘gay plague’, marking gay men in society as the most demonised demographic. Although the language of the campaign was ‘anyone can get it, man or woman’, a lot of people listened to the media and tabloid rumours.
Advertisements warning people against AIDS were haunting with gravestones, the most famous being named ‘Monolith’, sending the warning message of ‘don’t die of ignorance’. In 1987, Diana, Princess of Wales, controversially opened the Broderip Ward at Middlesex Hospital, dedicated to the treatment of HIV patients and shook hands with AIDS patients, sparking up conversation.
In 2017, 93,385 people (64,472 men and 28,877 women) living with diagnosed HIV infection received HIV care in the UK. 42,739 of those are gay or bisexual according to Public Health England.
A male from Gloucester, wishing to remain anonymous, who was in his teens when the AIDS epidemic was high, described the social atmosphere as ‘cold and unwelcoming.’
“Although I could walk the streets the same as anyone else, I didn’t feel comfortable expressing who I was with society the way it was,” he said. “Everyone around me was talking about it, especially if they knew about my sexuality.
In June 2021, the eligibility guidelines for donors changed from ‘any man who has had homosexual intercourse in the last three months cannot donate blood’ to ‘if you have had the same sexual partner in the previous three months or more, you are now eligible’. All donors will be asked this question now, regardless of sexuality or gender, showing we’re leading to a more accepting society. Northern Ireland followed this change in September 2021. It still took over 50 years after the ‘legalisation of homosexuality’ for these barriers to be broken down.
The previous guidelines outlined that men must abstain from sex with another male for at least 3 months to be eligible to donate blood – therefore ultimately banning sexually active gay and bisexual men from being able to donate. By lifting the ban and adjusting the guidelines to having the same sexual partner for the last three months for all genders and sexes makes it more inclusive; opening the doors to new blood donors.
Dylan Warrell, 20, is a member of the LGBT community from Thame, studying at university in Gloucestershire. Being part of the community is a major aspect in his life; something that he is incredibly proud of.
“The change in the rules that happened last year was a very positive move,” he said regarding the change. “Anyone should be able to donate blood now. Those who have a rarer blood type will no longer be barred from donating because of their sexuality. If I can get the nerves to withstand a needle, I will donate myself.”
February is LGBTQ+ history month, making it a good time to reflect upon these changes. We still have a way to go as a country to gain equality, but we are getting there one step at a time. Barriers need to be broken down so equality can be achieved.
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