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Blood service 'homophobic'
13/01/2006 14:20 - (SA)
Cape Town - The Triangle Project on Friday afternoon expressed grave concern at a statement issued by SA National Blood Service (SANBS) head Dr Robert Crookes on Thursday that sexually active homosexual men had been excluded from donating blood.
Crookes added that blood could not be accepted from men who'd engaged in oral or anal sex with men during the preceding five years, irrespective of whether that sex was safe or not. He stated that international medical reports indicate that MSM (men who have sex with men) showed increased risk of HIV transmission and other blood infections.
"It is known that unprotected anal sex poses a particular risk of HIV infection. However, it is a myth that all gay men practice this form of sexual expression and it is a fact that many heterosexual people engage in anal sex," said Glenn de Swardt, manager of the Health Services and Research Triangle Project.
"Instead of highlighting the risk of anal sex, irrespective of the sexual orientation of the people involved, Dr Crookes has chosen to pathologise the gay community.
"If he intends rejecting blood from gay men who have engaged in anal sex he should do likewise with blood from heterosexual donors who have practiced anal sex. Likewise, blood should not be accepted from any donor, irrespective of their sexual orientation, who has engaged in fellatio during the preceding five years," said De Swardt.
"HIV and Aids infects and affects people, irrespective of their age, race, gender or sexual orientation. We contend that Dr Crookes' statement is prejudiced and homophobic and contributes further to the stigmatisation and marginalisation of the gay community. "
According to the organization, SA does not have valid information on the HIV infection rate in the gay community because data collected by the department of health on HIV prevalence is based on pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics. The Triangle Project on Friday called on the department of health to initiate the relevant research.
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