Health

The United States administration are to overturn the ban on foreign nationals with HIV entering the USA. The ban has been in place since 1987 and will be lifted early next year.

The ban meant everyone entering the US was required to state that they don’t have a communicable disease, alongside not being a terrorist, a Nazi or a criminal. The UK does not currently have entry restrictions on people living with HIV. Some British politicians have proposed them previously.

On Friday, President Obama announced the repeal of the travel ban, describing the 22-year-old policy as a "decision rooted in fear rather than fact.”

The UN Secretary General has congratulated President Obama on the move. Terrence Higgins Trust and others have campaigned for many years for the policy to be lifted. 

Read more: America Removes HIV Ban on those Entering US

Stonewall has published findings to help employers to support bisexual employees and develop bisexual inclusive policy and procedures. 

One finding is that lesbian, gay and bisexual employee network groups often exclude bisexuals. 'Bisexual People in the Workplace', supported by the Home Office, shows how the experience of bisexual staff is often distinct from lesbian and gay employees and what employers can do to address this. 

Bisexual People in the Workplace highlights the difficulties bisexual employees face when trying to be out in the workplace. It also includes recommendations based on good practice currently being developed by some of the 500 employer members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme.

 "Bisexual employees, like all staff, perform better when they can be themselves. For many bisexual employees it can be difficult to be open about their sexual orientation – particularly if they don’t feel that their employee network is supportive of bisexual staff," says David Shields, Stonewall Director of Workplace Programmes.

Read more: Gays Exclude Bisexuals at Work

A ban that prevents gay and bisexual men from giving blood is being reviewed and could be overturned as early as next year, the Government has said.

The NHS Blood and Transplant agency has called for an increase of 50% to cater for an unexpected shortfall after the swine flu pandemic this winter.

New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Japan and Australia have all overturned lifetime bans and allow gay men to donate in certain circumstances.

Men who have had gay sex are currently banned for life from donating blood, under measures designed to reduce the risk of passing on infections such as HIV. But gay rights campaigners have condemned the policy as irrational.

Read more: Gay Blood Ban to End?

Throughout October, Terrence Higgins Trust is holding sexual health workshops for gay or bisexual men who are university students in London. The workshops, called ‘What they didn’t tell you at school,’ aim to fill any gaps in knowledge that young gay men might have when it comes to sex and relationships.

Sex education in schools and colleges is often not consistent and few courses cover ‘gay sex’ in any detail. The two hour long group sessions, funded by the Pan London HIV Prevention Partnership, address the issues in a fun and engaging way.  Workshops will be delivered at King’s College London, Royal Holloway, City University, University of Westminster, SOAS, London Metropolitan, Brunel, University of East London and Heythrop College (University of London).

Ed, a participant from the Kings College London workshop said "Frank, clear and with no holds barred, this workshop was spot on. It talked about the big issues without taking itself too seriously. I'd recommend it to any gay or bi-sexual man, regardless of how little or much he already knows."

Read more: Gay Sex Workshops at London Universities

Terrence Higgins Trust has started offering a new type of rapid result HIV test at its clinics which can detect the virus just 1 month after the date of infection. Previous tests were only reliable 3 months after exposure to the virus.

The finger prick blood test will be used at THT’s Fastest clinics and results are normally available in approximately 20 minutes. If the test result is positive, staff would always advise another test is taken, just to confirm the diagnosis.

Dr Michael Brady, Medical Director at THT said “If you’re worried you’ve been exposed to HIV waiting three months for an accurate test result can be agonising.  Technology has now moved on, so we’re able to offer reliable tests earlier. If you think you’ve been at risk or you’re in a high risk group you should consider getting a test. It’s quick, confidential and could put your mind at rest.”

Read more: New Rapid 1 Month HIV Test