Heartstopper actor Joe Locke has called for change in the legislation which prohibits gay men to donate blood on the Isle of Man.
He delivered a passionate message via video at the island’s Pride celebrations on 13 August. Thousands of Manx people showed their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The 18-year-old praised the progress that the Isle of Man has made so far. He cited when same-sex marriage was legalised in 2016 and emphasised the island’s ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ in 2021 for all LGBTQ+ people, a step which as not been adopted by all of the UK. “The island has come so far in the last 30 years,” said Locke. “But there is still work to be done.
The Isle of Man to this day does not allow gay men to donate blood, an archaic rule that was placed into force at the height of the AIDS pandemic.