This statement is issued by OUT LBGT Well-being, a registered non profit organization that has been providing services to the lesbian and gay community for 11 years.

With reference to the Saturday Star's publishing of the report entitled "Gays launch blood war", 14 January 2006. The Saturday Star reports that  "hundreds of homosexuals lied about their sexual orientation and donated blood" and that "an estimated 300 men complied with a plea by the GLA to donate blood".  Such claims not only misrepresent the gay community but fuel public fears and homophobia. The onus rests on the journalist, before publishing such a report, to endeavor to establish the veracity of the claims and the credibility of the source. The claims emanate from the GLA - an organization which has not demonstrated its membership; not provided any proof on claims made; and from whom the organized LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender) sector has consistently distanced themselves. On the face of it this seems like sensationalist and irresponsible journalism . As such we call on the Saturday Star to either verify the facts of the report, or, apologize with a published correction for propagating misinformation that raises unnecessary public alarm and misrepresents gay people.  This shoddy journalism obscures the real issue at hand: the invalidity of the South African National Blood Service's (SANBS) policy on excluding MSM and the substance thereof. 

OUT reiterates, as we have done numerous times in the past, that we believe the GLA to be a charlatan group, driving a shadowy agenda without legitimacy. It does not speak on behalf of gay and lesbian people. Neither does it have their interests at heart. We believe that the South African Police Services should investigate the claims that the SANBS regulations were purposefully and with mal intent transgressed by the GLA. 

OUT will be pursuing reasoned discussions with the SANBS so as to explore ways to constructively address their current position on the exclusion of MSM. We do believe that the exclusion of MSM from giving blood reflects a discriminatory position .  The focus should be on unsafe sexual practices regardless of the group in which such practices take place. If groups are used as a social indicator for risk of HIV transmission, why aren't married women not engaged in extra-marital sex  excluded, as it has been proven that they have highest risks of HIV infection? The SANBS's present position stigmatizes gay men and presents incorrect public information on HIV  transmission.

For more information contact:  

OUT LGBT Well-being