Union calls for an end to ‘discriminatory blood ban’
Posted May 6, 2018 10:47 am.
Last Updated May 6, 2018 10:50 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A new petition is calling on Canadian Blood Services to end what’s being called a discriminatory blood ban.
It was started by MoveUP — a union representing more than 12,000 members at public and private sector companies in Western Canada.
Right now, gay or bisexual men, and transgender women are not allowed to donate blood unless they have been celibate for at least one year.
Annette Toth with MoveUP says the petition already has more than 3,500 signatures, as well as the support of Burnaby South NDP MP Kennedy Stewart.
“Our goal, really, is to get over 10,000 signatures and to tell the Prime Minister and the federal Liberal government that it’s time to end discrimination in Canada,” she tells NEWS 1130.
Toth says the campaign idea started during a Human Rights Committee meeting at MoveUP.
“Donation levels are critically low and these are people in our society — and Canada — who are being eliminated.”
For people who might be on the fence about signing, she has a message.
“Blood in Canada is safe because it’s tested. Everyone that donates, that blood is tested. And we need to stop having discriminatory practices in Canada and open up the door for gay and bisexual men and transgender women that are practicing safe sex and in monogamous relationships to be able to donate blood, just like everyone else in Canada.”
Over the next few months, MoveUP members will be out trying to promote this message.
The petition closes on July 17th.
