PLEASE NOTE: This pledge is for AUSTRALIAN GAY MEN ONLY who want to donate safe blood to save lives.

It’s time to let the Australian Government and Red Cross know just how many gay and bisexual Australian men are being denied the opportunity to give their safe blood to save the lives of others.

We want to give blood to help save lives. However, because we are men in same-sex relationships the Red Cross requires we abstain from sex for a minimum of one year before being eligible to donate blood. The Red Cross's assumption is that gay men are at higher risk of HIV than heterosexual men because we are more likely to have multiple partners and practice unsafe sex.

If, like us, you’re a man in a sexual relationship with another man, and you're confident that your blood is safe from infection and poses no risk to others, please pledge that you will be willing to give the gift of life through blood donation if Australia’s blood donation guidelines are changed.

Alexander Thatcher — Editor FUSE Magazine
Michael Cain — Gay Blood Donations Campaigner
Rodney Croome — Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group