39-year-old Paolo Pedone was turned away from a hospital in Milan last week while attempting to donate blood after a doctor discovered he was gay.
Although a law was in effect until only five years ago banning homosexuals from donating blood in Italy, it is today technically illegal to refuse a blood donation based on one’s sexual orientation. However, hospital officials claim that they were only being prudent and that ultimate decisions are up to them.
The Minister of Health, Franco Grillini, has begun an investigation into the episode, and the President of the Arci Gay Association in Rome also noted that there have been many similar discriminations reported in Latina and Viterbo.
