After a delay caused by the General Election and change of Government, National AIDS Trust, the British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) are happy to see the removal of the “unjust, homophobic and unscientific” barrier that prevented both people living with HIV who are LGBTQ+, and anyone seeking to donate eggs to an HIV negative person, from becoming parents through fertility treatment.
The amendment, which was passed into law on Tuesday, October 22 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.
Robbie Currie, National AIDS Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This is a significant victory for the rights of people living with HIV, particularly LGBTQ+ 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!”
“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.” Yvonne Gilleece
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.”
Yvonne Gilleece, BHIVA Chair Professor Yvonne Gilleece, said: “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 and colleagues from 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. To help National AIDS Trust continue fighting for the rights of everybody living with, at risk of or affected by HIV, make a donation here.