Tory MP’s motion to end gay blood ban finds maximum co-sponsors
A Private Member’s Bill by Tory MP Michael Fabricant calling for an end to discrimination against men who have sex with men giving blood, has filled its list of co-sponsors.
Currently gay and bisexual men can give blood, but only after abstaining from sex for twelve months before donating.
The Bill is entitled the Blood Donation (Equality) Bill, and the motion calls for “leave to be given to bring in a Bill to allow donation of blood by all male donors on the same basis; and for connected purposes.”
The Bill can have up to 11 supporters plus Mr Fabricant. He named the following MPs as co-sponsors of the bill.
Caroline Lucas – Green Party – Brighton Pavilion
Sir Tony Baldry – Conservative – Banbury
Keith Vaz – Labour – Leicester East
Tim Farron – Lib Dem – Westmorland and Lonsdale
Ann Clwyd – Labour – Cynon Valley
Sir John Randall – Conservative – Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Jonathan Edwards – Plaid Cymru – Carmarthen East and Dinefwr
Jim FitzPatrick – Labour – Poplar and Limehouse
Nigel Evans – Conservative – Ribble Valley
Duncan Hames – Lib Dem – Chippenham
Steve Baker – Conservative – Wycombe
Speaking to PinkNews, Mr Fabricant said: “I have put Caroline at the top of the list of supporters as she has also campaigned on this issue. I am very pleased that sponsors include Conservative, Labour, Liberal-Democrats, Plaid Cymru, and Green Members of Parliament. This really does have cross-party support.”
On the fact that some of the MPs listed as co-sponsors for the bill voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act, Mr Fabricant said: “Blood donation and same sex marriage are very clearly two separate issues. While I would not wish to ascribe motives for why some people voted against same sex marriage – perhaps it was on religious grounds – they clearly recognise the nonsense and illogicality in the current rules regarding blood donation. I am delighted to have them on board!”
