Daniel Pearce launched a Facebook campaign called "End the Australian Red Cross' Blood Donation Discrimination" to oppose the Red Cross policy that prohibits men who have had male-to-male sex from donating blood. The Red Cross argues this policy is necessary to keep Australia's blood supply safe, as 8-10% of gay Australian men are HIV positive. However, activists argue the policy unfairly discriminates against many gay men who want to donate blood.
2. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
Signs in the Martin Place Blood Donation Centre are an
uncanny reminder of the discrimination claims once
again aimed at the Red Cross.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
3. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
Daniel Pearce, 25 (pictured), has launched a Facebook
campaign, “End the Australian Red Cross’ Blood Donation
Discrimination,” opposing the Red Cross policy which
prohibits men engaged in male-to-male sex from donating
blood.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
4. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH
OUTRAGE AT BLOOD DONOR POLICY
Pearce’s rejection by the Blood Service sparked his
campaign. He ticked “the box in question” on the donor
questionnaire, identifying he took part in male-to-male sex
in the past 12 months.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
5. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
In 2008, the Red Cross involved in a Anti-
Discrimination tribunal in Tasmania regarding the
same policy, which found the Blood Service was not
guilty of any form of discrimination.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
6. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
The Red Cross maintain, in order to keep Australia’s
blood and plasma supplies the safest in the world, they
must act cautiously with risk populations. Eight to 10
per cent of gay, Australian males are HIV positive.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
7. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
The Blood Service argues the risk of HIV transmission in gay
males is too high to introduce into the Australian blood and
plasma supply, especially when screening may not detect
HIV for up to 6 months after contraction.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
8. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
A new study released by The Kirby Institute for Infection
and Immunity, with the Red Cross, found that using
different scientific tests, the deferral period for gay men
could be reduced to 6 months.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
9. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
National Media Manager for the Red Cross, Kathy Bowlen
said, “There’s not actually a right to donate blood. There’s
a right to receive the safest blood we can provide.”
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
10. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
Pearce and activists from the 2008
tribunal, Michael Cain and Rodney Croome feel
this result will still rule out the majority of gay
blood donors.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
11. THERE’S NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT BLOOD: GAY YOUTH OUTRAGE AT
BLOOD DONOR POLICY
So far Pearce’s Facebook campaign has received
just 36 “likes.” You can show your support by
visiting
www.facebook.com/DonationNotDiscrimination.
Photo: Caitlin Bailey/MDIA3002 Group
