/ 17 July 1999

GAY PRESENTER’S BLOOD REJECTED

RADIO KFM presenter Andrew Barnes was barred from donating blood on the basis of his sexual orientation on Wednesday. Barnes apparently responded to an urgent call for blood and went to the blood transfusion centre in Strand Street, Cape Town. He filled out a routine questionnaire and was subsequently asked to clarify some of his answers by a nurse. One of the questions was whether he had ever had sex with a man. He ticked the “yes” box, as he’s been involved in a steady gay relationship for the past year. The nurse told Barnes they didn’t want his blood, despite the fact that he and his partner have tested negative for HIV. When Barnes returned to work at the KFM studio, he vented his frustrations live on air. The National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equity has promised to approach the Human Rights Commission on the matter.