Andy Burnham Supports Gay Marriage but says Blood Ban should Remain

August 05, 2010

Andy Burnham says he wholeheartedly supports gay marriage but believes that a father figure should be present in the life of a child of a lesbian couple through IVF.

 In an interview with PinkNew.co.uk, "I wholeheartedly support it. Throughout my political career, I've spoken of the importance of commitment and relationships and I'm also somebody who believes in the absolute equality of every human being and that should be equal in the eyes of the law. so I think, actually, I was the first leadership candidate to support gay marriage."

Regarding blood donation, he told the online news service that he supports the ban because it would simply be too risky to remove otherwise.

"You have to listen to the scientists. You can't be 100 per cent [sure] with screening. Because of that reason, you need to be 100 per cent certain about the blood supply. It's an issue we need to keep under review, as the science and quality of screening improves, but at this stage, I think, you can't change the position."

Burnham, a contender for the leadership for the Labour Party and is currently third behind brothers David and Ed Miliband, said he supports IVF for lesbian couples, but said a father figure should be present in the lives of all newborns, framing it as an equality issue.

"And for me, it's an equality issue to say that a young child brought into this world should have access to all of the support networks. A male role and a female role model. And for me, that is an equality issue for that new life. Everyone should be able to draw on a father figure and a mother figure. That isn't to say I don't support IVF for lesbian couples."

Burnham also said he had missed key votes on gay adoption because his wife was expecting a newborn. He said he does support gay adoption. 
 

Image source: The Stage