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Equality advocate Rodney Croome calls to lift the ‘gay blood ban’ – The Advocate

November 14, 2021

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With the Red Cross warning of blood shortages when borders open, it’s time to increase the supply of safe blood by lifting the gay blood ban and adopting individual risk assessment instead. A recent report from national LGBTIQ+ advocacy group, Just.Equal Australia, examined the latest international research on blood donation, as well as best-practice guidelines from other countries. The research shows there is no risk to the blood supply if donation is allowed by gay and bisexual men, and transgender women, whose sexual activity has been safe for at least three months. On the basis of this research, the current ban has been, or is about to be, lifted in a number of countries including the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland and Argentina. Britain has the best model because it focusses on the sexual activity that actually causes risk: all potential donors, gay and straight, are asked if they have had anal sex outside their regular relationship in the last three months. If so, they can’t donate This kind of individual risk assessment, if adopted in Australia, will mean more safe blood for those in need. Rodney Croome, Hobart I cannot believe, but I am not at all surprised, that the Brass Band in Burnie has been so badly let down by UTAS, and the Burnie City Council is standing by and letting it happen. The band has been a pillar of the community for 130 years, serving the community with entertainment and providing young and old with a sense of belonging and achievement. It certainly kept my group of friends busy and out of trouble when we’re young and silly. I have gone on with my music and have had a lifetime of enjoyment from banding, and also given back to the future of bands I’ve been involved in. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the band, and am disgusted that they are being treated as a dispensable nuisance by the university and council – organisations which are supposed to build value into the community, not strip it away. Alyson Bentley, Kialla With the federal election approaching, the Morrison Government has been attempting to appear more libertarian with statements like “I don’t want the government in my life”, and we should not have laws that “tell people what to do.” It is impossible to view this libertarian Morrison Government as anything but hypocritical when we look at the authoritarian independent assessments they tried to introduce to the NDIS, the push to extend the authoritarian Idue Card to all pensioners, and their enthusiasm to legislate new voter identification laws. In truth this new libertarian approach by the LNP is just an attempt to avoid responsibility for tackling difficult issues like climate change and health, but these are the very issues where the community needs leadership and support. Grant MacDonald, Port Sorell There are two good reasons not to vote for the United Australia Party in any election: Craig Kelly and Clive Palmer. Alan Leitch, Austins Ferry What do you think? Have your say by sending a Letter to the Editor using the form below. Letters must be 200 words or fewer to be published.

LIFT THE GAY BLOOD BAN

A recent report from national LGBTIQ+ advocacy group, Just.Equal Australia, examined the latest international research on blood donation, as well as best-practice guidelines from other countries.

The research shows there is no risk to the blood supply if donation is allowed by gay and bisexual men, and transgender women, whose sexual activity has been safe for at least three months.

On the basis of this research, the current ban has been, or is about to be, lifted in a number of countries including the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Poland and Argentina.

Britain has the best model because it focusses on the sexual activity that actually causes risk: all potential donors, gay and straight, are asked if they have had anal sex outside their regular relationship in the last three months. If so, they can’t donate

This kind of individual risk assessment, if adopted in Australia, will mean more safe blood for those in need.

Rodney Croome, Hobart

YOU’VE LET DOWN THE BAND

I cannot believe, but I am not at all surprised, that the Brass Band in Burnie has been so badly let down by UTAS, and the Burnie City Council is standing by and letting it happen.

The band has been a pillar of the community for 130 years, serving the community with entertainment and providing young and old with a sense of belonging and achievement.

It certainly kept my group of friends busy and out of trouble when we’re young and silly. I have gone on with my music and have had a lifetime of enjoyment from banding, and also given back to the future of bands I’ve been involved in.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the band, and am disgusted that they are being treated as a dispensable nuisance by the university and council – organisations which are supposed to build value into the community, not strip it away.

Alyson Bentley, Kialla

HYPOCRITES IN CHIEF

With the federal election approaching, the Morrison Government has been attempting to appear more libertarian with statements like “I don’t want the government in my life”, and we should not have laws that “tell people what to do.”

It is impossible to view this libertarian Morrison Government as anything but hypocritical when we look at the authoritarian independent assessments they tried to introduce to the NDIS, the push to extend the authoritarian Idue Card to all pensioners, and their enthusiasm to legislate new voter identification laws.

In truth this new libertarian approach by the LNP is just an attempt to avoid responsibility for tackling difficult issues like climate change and health, but these are the very issues where the community needs leadership and support.

Grant MacDonald, Port Sorell