Time to read
- Discriminatory bar on same sex people with HIV donating sperm or eggs scrapped at last
- Delayed amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act today approved by UK Parliament
- Culmination of a long campaign for fertility, LGBT+ and HIV rights by National AIDS Trust and the British HIV Association (BHIVA)
After a delay caused by the General Election and change of Government, National AIDS Trust and the British HIV Association (BHIVA), are delighted to see the removal of the unjust, homophobic and unscientific barrier that for too long has prevented both people living with HIV who are LGBT+, and anyone seeking to donate eggs to an HIV negative person, from becoming parents through fertility treatment.
The amendment, which was passed into law today after the necessary debates in the Commons and the Lords, means that families can now be formed, and lives brought into being that otherwise would not have been possible.
National AIDS Trust campaigned for many years to bring about this change to a law that was clearly discriminatory and not backed by science. Medical experts from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and BHIVA have provided clinical evidence throughout, including liaison with the Advisory Committee on Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs to advise the Government on this important decision.
National AIDS Trust’s Chief Executive Officer Robbie Currie says:
“Today marks a significant victory for the rights of people living with HIV, particularly LGBT+ couples wanting to donate sperm or eggs. They will now have the same rights as anyone else – the right to receive equal treatment and the right to start a family. Thanks to the hard work of my predecessor, Deborah Gold, and the dedication of the National AIDS Trust team, our friends at BHIVA and BASHH and, most importantly, the wonderful people living with HIV who have campaigned alongside us, this is truly a day to celebrate!”
Alan O’Neill, who worked alongside National AIDS Trust to achieve this historic victory, adds:
“I’ve just screamed with joy because this is another victory for the HIV community. It’s one less thing that will stand in the way of my dreams of hopefully having a child of my own one day. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this process.”
BHIVA Chair Professor Yvonne Gilleece says: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome legislation that finally recognises the advances in science and treatment of HIV. It has taken more than five years to reach this goal, working alongside the National AIDS Trust (NAT) and colleagues from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). This is a further step towards equality in healthcare for same sex couples where one or both have HIV, and anyone living with HIV who wants to donate an egg or sperm to friends or family.”
It is expected that this vital amendment will come into force in the coming weeks. Contact the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for personal guidance and advice.
