Isle Of Man To Update Blood Donation Rules
August 17, 2022Rules which prevented gay men from donating blood will be updated, following fresh anger about the restrictions, according to the BBC.
Health Minister Lawrie Hooper said there was a “willingness” to change the eligibility criteria to individual assessments.
Under the "archaic" rules, men who have sex with men are banned from ever giving blood.
The announcement follows a call from Manx Netflix star Joe Locke for the rules to be brought into line with UK protocols. The teenage actor made the comments in a video message played to the crowd at the annual Pride event in Douglas on Saturday. “The Isle of Man to this day does not allow gay men to donate blood, an archaic rule that was placed into force at the height of the AIDS pandemic,” he said.
In the UK, men who have not had sex with another man for three months, or have had the same sexual partner for the same period are allowed to donate.
Mr. Hooper said any new policy put in place needed to be “underpinned by clinical safety,” and there were "lots of complicated reasons" why the island's regulations had not yet been changed.
The island needs to update blood testing standards to standards set in England.
“Ultimately the aim is absolutely to move to that position of equality where the ability of give blood is based on whether or not the blood is safe to be used,” Mr. Hooper said. The aim is to change the rules by early 2023, or sooner if possible.
James Cherry, of the Isle of Pride campaign group, said the announcement was “fantastic news” and a step toward “breaking down the barriers to equality.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
Heartstopper’s Joe Locke Calls For End To Blood Donation Ban
UK Blood Donation Rules for Gay and Bi Men Change
Blood Donation Rules For Gay And Bi Men To Be Relaxed In Northern Ireland
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews