The brothers’ video was viewed more than 1.1 million times after it was posted on April 30, with thousands rallying behind Scott. His younger brother Luke is pictured right. “My blood would be screened the same as anyone else’s.” Scott (far left) has been with his husband (centre) for nine years. They see gay men differently and that is discrimination. “As humans, we always say that we bleed the same blood, yet sadly this isn’t true when it comes to the Red Cross. “I cannot imagine a hetero person ever being asked or told to abstain from having sex for three months - another reminder that gay men are still not equal here in Australia,” Scott says. Under Lifeblood’s strict guidelines, donors are required to wait three months before they can donate blood if they have had sex - with or without a condom - with a male who they think may have had oral or anal sex with another man. “It is heartbreaking to constantly hear and see ads saying that they are desperate for blood, yet if me or any other gay man in Australia was to try and donate to help save a life, we would be turned away purely because of our sexuality,” Scott says.
Speaking to, Scott, who has been with his husband for nine years, says there’s a huge demand for blood donations - but he was still told he was ineligible due to his sexuality.
It’s unbelievable.“ Scott O’Halloran (left, pictured with his younger brother Scott, right) has blasted the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood for its “discriminatory” rule that prevents him from donating blood as a gay man. “I could save a sick child’s life by donating my blood but because I have sex with a man, I’m not allowed to. Let me tell you Luke, it’s a privilege for you to be able to give blood because you’re not gay and I am, that’s why I’m not allowed to give it,” Scott said. In one of their viral videos, Scott rallied against what he called “today’s modern day homophobic organisation” after his “straight” younger brother was able to make an appointment to donate blood. For more Health & Wellbeing related news and videos check out Health & Wellbeing >