Kerry: End of Britain's Gay Blood Donor Ban a Tipping Point

[William769]

Thursday’s news that British health officials will lift a lifetime ban on gay men donating blood is a significant step that the United States may soon follow, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), a lead proponent of ending the 28-year-old stateside ban, said Friday.

“I think this is likely the start of a trend globally that I’d rather we be leading than following,” Kerry said in a statement to The Advocate. “This is a very close ally who sees the same information we do, and they’ve determined that gay donors pose no risk to the blood supply.”

Following recommendations by an advisory committee on blood safety, the UK's Department of Health announced that men who have sex with men (MSM) who are HIV-negative and have not engaged in sexual activity within the past 12 months would be eligible to donate blood effective November 7. Great Britain joins countries such as Australia, Japan, and Sweden in implementing a one-year deferral for MSM donors.

“Our process is well under way here at home and I think we’ll see the United States end an outdated ban that no longer has the fig leaf of science or even question marks,” Kerry said.


http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/09/09/Kerry_End_of_UKs_Gay_Blood_Donor_Ban_a_Tipping_Point/

[LeftishBrit]

1. Well, good to see my country setting a good example on *something*!

[William769]

2. Go Britain!

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. Who are these gay men who havn't had sex in 12 months?

I know of none at all, and I know a lot of gay people, being so myself. So now they're on a "we don't hate teh gay, just teh gay sex". As if heterosexual people don't have HIV. As a fellow Brit, I'm embarrassed at this bullshit.