Blood donation action at the FH Technikum: Vampire Cup and finally gay and bisexual men and trans persons admitted

At the end of March, blood could be donated at UAS Technikum Wien. The Red Cross offered a special incentive with the blood donation competition “Vampire Cup”: From February 1 to May 31, the blood donation champion of Austrian universities will be determined. Donors thus save human lives and, in addition, students also support the university in the fight for the cup.

Here is some info and the intermediate standings at the Vampire Cup:

https://www.gibdeinbestes.at/blog/vampirecup

The Queer Engineer Network at FHTW took the opportunity to draw attention to an important change in the blood donation regulation since September 1, 2022.

An important change was made in Austria last fall regarding the regulations for donating blood: Finally, homosexual men and trans people are also allowed to donate blood.

Mark Adams, competence field leader languages and contact person for the community at the university, is pleased: “I am from Northern Ireland and still can’t give blood, but that is at least a rule that does not discriminate. Especially gay men and trans people were discriminated against by the old restrictions on giving blood, but now, thankfully, those laws have been changed and we are able to help the community by giving blood.”

“Makes a great contribution to reducing prejudices”

According to Mariella Müller, Head of Equality Management, this “means an incredible amount in sociopolitical terms, because for decades the old regulation perpetuated the stigmatization of a group of people and simply excluded people across the board. Now, the medical history form differentiates according to risk behavior. That will also go a long way toward reducing prejudice.”

UAS Technikum Wien has launched a network for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer students and employees under the title “Queer Engineer”. Queer Engineer stands for acceptance, tolerance and inclusion. Allies are also welcome in the network – these are people who are not part of the queer community themselves, but support it and stand up against homophobia and discrimination.