Malta Lifts ‘Discriminatory’ Ban On Blood Donations For Gay And Bisexual Men To Mark Pride Week
Malta has lifted its controversial ban on gay men donating blood to mark the beginning of Pride Week.
In a post, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced a reform to the protocol for donating blood in Malta, saying that his administration was completing another electoral reform and that “work towards more equality can never stop”.
“In this way, we will have more just protocols that remove any form of discrimination with LGBTIQ+ person where the parameters to donate blood are equal for everyone.”
“Reforms remain at the forefront of our agenda.”
Cyrus Engerer, a prominent gay Maltese MEP, praised the news and gave a shout out to MP Randolph De Battista who has been working to make this reform happen “for the last 10 years”.
“Finally!” Engerer said. “Well done to the Labour Party for removing all types of prejudice against gay men. Thank you to Robert Abela, Chris Fearne and Rebecca Buttigieg,” he continued in reference to Malta’s Health Minister and Reforms Secretary.
This reform had previously been promised to be completed by 2019.
What do you make of the decision?
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