TAS: Tasmanian man challenges ban on gay blood donors

AAP General News (Australia)
08-02-2005
TAS: Tasmanian man challenges ban on gay blood donors

HOBART, Aug 2 AAP - A Tasmanian man will today take legal action against the Australian
Red Cross Blood Service to remove a ban on gay blood donors.

Michael Cain, from Launceston in the state's north, will lodge legal challenges with
the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission
against policies that prevent gay men from donating blood.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service website says donations from men who have had
male-to-male sex in the past year will be deferred for 12 months.

The move follows action by American university students who claim such policies discriminate
against gay men.

The students have called for the American Red Cross and the US Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) to change their policies on gay donors.

At the FDA's last review of the policy in 2000, the Red Cross spoke in favour of keeping
what is known as a "lifetime deferral" for men who have had gay sex.

Mr Cain will lodge his challenges this afternoon.

Comment is being sought from the Red Cross.

AAP rgr/cat/de

KEYWORD: CAIN

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.