South Africa Allows Gay Blood Donors

Gay South Africans are losing pints of blood-- voluntarily, that is. On November 1, gays that have been celibate for six months will be allowed to donate blood. The decision came after South African gay rights groups threatened a lawsuit against the nations National Blood Service arguing discriminatory practices. The South African Gay and Lesbian Rights Advocacy Group says, "I understand that the blood transfusion service needs some sort of social indicator to derive the safety of blood but the use of gay in a blanket way indicates this is not fair." South Africa and many other countries (including the U.S.) banned gay blood donors when AIDS was still considered a "gay disease." Glen de Swardt, the spokesperson of Triangle Project supports the argument, "People point fingers at gays as a high-risk HIV-AIDS group when it suits them." Gay and lesbian equal rights are ensured under South Africa's Constitution.

Gay Equality in South Africa:
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Gay Bans Elsewhere:
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Gay Sperm Donors Banned

_{Image © Franco Giovanella.}