Students around the country are gathering at blood donation centres calling for a review of the National Blood Service policy, which bans gay and bisexual men from donating blood.

NUS LGBT believes that that the policy, which asks men about past unsafe gay sex experiences, is homophobic. The policy effectively bans donations from gay and bisexual men, despite their current lifestyle or suitability of their blood, according to the NUS.

Today’s day of action will consist of students encouraging friends, family, and other students to donate blood – in place of all the gay and bisexual men who are not allowed.

Scott Cuthbertson, NUS LGBT officer who is co-ordinating the event said:

"Students across the UK are very angry about this discrimination. The questions asked at blood donation sessions mean that all gay and bisexual men are banned from giving blood for life, regardless of their behaviour, whilst high-risk heterosexual people slip through the net.”

“It is time that the National Blood Service changed its homophobic policy and lifts its ban on gay and bisexual men. Other countries have already changed their policies sending a clear message that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is unacceptable; it is time for NBS to do the same. The LGBT community is very diverse, and a blanket ban against all gay and bisexual men is no longer appropriate."

Claire Anderson, NUS LGBT Officer, at the London protest, said:

"This policy is really frustrating because lots of healthy gay and bisexual students want to give blood but can't because of the ban.”

“ It's not someone's sexual identity that makes them high risk, but their sexual practices."

"Heterosexual people who engage in high-risk behaviour are not banned, but deferred for a limited time; a blanket ban perpetuates the myth that HIV/AIDS is a gay disease, and does not treat donors equally and on the basis of actual risk.”

“That's why we are here today encouraging our friends to donate in our place and talking to donors to raise awareness of the policy. Most people we have spoken to are really surprised that this kind of ban is still in place. We are calling for equal treatment for donors regardless of sexuality."