August 17, 2022
Watch: 'Heartstopper' Star Joe Locke Calls Out Discriminatory Blood Ban
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
"Heartstopper" star Joe Locke called out a discriminatory blood ban still in place on the Isle of Man in a speech he delivered for the Manx Pride celebration there last weekend.
In a prerecorded video, Locke hailed Pride as "a celebration of everyone in society that they feel like outsiders – a day for outsiders to become insiders. It's a day for all queer people to know they deserve all the love and respect that straight people get."
Despite progress toward full legal equality in the UK – including marriage equality – LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination and the barriers that come with it. Locke noted that "there is still work to be done," and pointed to the rule that prevents gay men on The Isle of Man from donating blood, "an archaic rule that was placed into force during the height of the AIDS pandemic," Locke noted.
"These rules have slowly changed in the UK since then, allowing gay men to donate blood under certain rules. But not on the island."
Locke's remarks referred to a change in Britain's rules around men who have sex with men donating blood. In June of 2021, discriminatory treatment of gay and bisexual men was replaced with questions asked of all prospective donors regarding recent sexual activity.
"Anyone who has had the same sexual partner for the last three months will be eligible to donate, meaning more gay and bisexual men will be able to donate blood, platelets and plasma while keeping blood just as safe," UK newspaper The Independent reported at the time.
Members of the Netflix series, adapted from the popular web comic and centering on a group of teenagers in London – among them two young men, played by Locke and co-star Kit Connor, who are navigating first love in a budding romantic relationship – have been outspoken in their support of LGBTQ+ equality. Several members of the cast participated in London Pride celebrations last month, and were on hand to push back against anti-gay protestors who showed up for the occasion.
Netflix has reportedly renewed the smash hit show for two more seasons.
Watch Locke's speech embedded in the Twitter post below.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
