- Conference
- Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual & Transgender Conference 2005
- Date
- 17 October 2005
- Decision
- Carried
Conference congratulates the National Delegate Conference in its determination to enable LGBT members in UNISON to be organised in the union in regional LGBT groups.
Conference notes the work undertaken by the National LGBT Committee, so far in relation to how blood donation operates and its impact upon mainly gay potential donors who are unable to donate blood despite their intention so to do. For many of our members who have tried to donate blood they have found that there is a ‘blanket’ ban in place against their blood being accepted for blood transfusion purposes.
Conference requires the National LGBT Committee to open up and widen the discussion and their work-plan on this issue to consider how such a ban on blood donation may also impact upon a wider constituency of potential UNISON donors within our LGBT membership.
Conference notes that there may be a similar ban in place in respect of organ donation from some amongst our LGBT members, and requires that the National LGBT Committee examine this aspect too.
Conference believes that there may be a long-standing decision by one of the service groups that blood transfusion regulations preventing active gay men donating blood are appropriate, but requires the National LGBT Committee to seek direction on this issue under Rule 3.8.2 to see whether the issue can be moved forward in a positive and inclusive way so that perceived discrimination experienced by certain of our members in the donation of blood can be eliminated.