Bold new campaign targets blood donation inequality in Australia

“We want to restore the fundamental right to donate blood, and make it a more equitable process across the board."

Australia

Source: FCB Health

New York Healthcare agency FCB Health has partnered with (GMHC) to launch a new campaign pushing for less discriminatory regulations around blood donation. 

The campaign, which specifically targets the United States, Australia, Canada, Brazil and Germany, shows each country's flag embroidered into a blood donation bag and incorporated into the rainbow flag.

According to reports from , the agency behind the campaign said: “Many countries, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, Brazil and Germany, endorse the fight for equality in marriage, schools, the workplace and housing, yet discriminatory criteria for blood donation remain."
They continued: “This altering of the traditional flag design, compounded with the use of exposed thread and stitching, powerfully brings to life the juxtaposition between LGBTQ Pride and discrimination."
“Ultimately, these flags aim to highlight cultural hypocrisy as a call to action, and unite these countries in an effort to advance blood equality on a larger scale.”

Kelsey Louie, CEO of GMHC, added: “We want to restore the fundamental right to donate blood, and make it a more equitable process across the board."
“Current donation policies stem from fear and outdated stigmas surrounding sexual orientation, when they should instead be based solely on testing and scientific risk assessments.”

The currently states that men who have sex with men can only donate blood once abstaining from all sexual contact for more than 12 months.


Share
Published 8 June 2018 12:27pm
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


Share this with family and friends


SBS News in your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS On Demand
SBS News
SBS Audio

Listen to our podcasts
Join host Yumi Stynes for Seen, a new SBS podcast about cultural creatives who have risen to excellence despite a role-model vacuum.
The day's top stories from SBS News.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our sbs podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch SBS On Demand
Over 11,000 hours

Over 11,000 hours

News, drama, documentaries, SBS Originals and more - free.