After a Wellington man incited heated debate over the current Ministry of Health policy which forbids gay men from donating sperm in New Zealand, the Ministry has said it may review the ban if the Human Rights Commission asks it to do so. New Zealand sperm banks are bound by Ministry regulations which ban gay men on the basis that they pose a greater risk of HIV and other diseases. Many experts believe this is irrational and discriminatory, saying that a gay man who practices safe sex is less of a risk than a straight man who engages in risky behaviour. The Human Rights Commission has said that because the Wellington man was not allowed to donate sperm because of his sexual orientation, then a complaint could be made on these grounds.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 23rd January 2006 - 12:00pm