Gay Man Makes History In Northern Ireland As First To Donate Blood Since The Country’s Relaxation Of Restrictions
28-year-old Stevie Maginn has made history with what is thought to be the first blood donation since the relaxation of Northern Ireland’s gay blood restrictions.
In line with the rest of the U.K., gay and bisexual men are able to donate blood three months after their last sexual activity in Northern Ireland.
Maginn, from west Belfast, has waited for over a decade to be able to help others with a donation.
“It is something I've thought about doing for years and I'm already on a register to donate spinal fluid for stem cell donation and organ donation and stuff.
“I would have like to have done it before and there has been movement with Appeal Court rulings and since 2016 when Michelle O'Neill changed it to one year, but it was when (Health Minister) Robin Swann changed it to three months in line with the rest of the UK that it can really happen.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Maginn has been enforced to be separated from his parter due to lockdown restrictions, giving him eligibility to donate.
“I'm in a long-term monogamous relationship but we
haven't seen each other since lockdown as I'm isolating with my parents.
“It meant whenever the announcement came I was able to give blood quite quickly. I rang up and asked if they were aware of the change and they said that the were and made me an appointment.”
As ‘Irish News’ reports, every blood donation was tested for HIV and a number of other organisms, although the Health Minister has warned that “not even the most advanced tests are 100 per cent reliable, so it is vitally important for every donor to comply with any deferral rules that apply to them.”
Mr. Maginn is hoping that further changes will be brought in to allow him to donate without having to live through a deadly pandemic to do so.
“There needs to be a move towards a system based on donors' sexual activity. It is not just an equality issue - I could have been donating blood for years to help the health service - but it is the risk of heterosexual who are not engaging in safe sex and perhaps have multiple sexual partners.
“They are able to give blood, but I can't, despite being in a long-term monogamous relationship. We need to move to a system like Italy where the system is completely based on sexual behaviour and who is deemed risky.”
Register for WorkPride by myGwork here.
Read related myGwork articles here:
Blood Donation Rules For Gay And Bi Men To Be Relaxed In Northern Ireland
U.S.A. Democratic Representatives Introduce New Resolution To End Blood Ban For Queer Men
Hungary Drops Ban On Gay And Bi Men Donating Blood
Brazil’s Supreme Court Lifts Restrictions On Gay And Bi Men Donating Blood
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
Sign up to mygwork
________
LGBT professionals, LGBT Graduates, LGBT professional network, LGBT professional events, LGBT networking events, LGBT Recruitment, LGBT Friendly organisations, LGBT Friendly companies, LGBT jobs
