A Letter from Ireland

A friend of mine emailed me an article from Pink Finance regarding the HIV testing and discriminatory policies adopted by Life Assurance companies in the UK, towards gay men.

I'm 29 years of age and live in Dublin, and have recently purchased an apartment here. On applying for Life Assurance for 184,000 Euros, with New Ireland Assurance Company (Owned by Bank of Ireland), I was informed that I would have to fill in a questionnaire.

Questions!

I was asked whether I was a homosexual man, bisexual man, or intravenous drug user, or partner of the above. I was pretty annoyed at being asked such personal questions, but filled out the questionnaire anyway.

Test!

To my shock, I was informed that I would have to take a HIV test, because I 'm a homosexual male. As I needed the Life Assurance in order to get my mortgage, I undertook the test. The GP doing the test was excellent about it, and he understood my anger at being singled out for this test just because I was gay.

I was pretty nervous about taking the test, but practice safe sex - so would have been totally shocked if the results were positive. Fortunately they were not. I was thinking of maybe taking a HIV test as a routine check before the Life Assurance application, but certainly not at somebody else's instruction.

Premium!

My monthly premium remained the same as quoted, as I was given an estimate of 35 Euros a month prior to application, and their eventual offer of insurance was at 36 Euros a month.

Discrimination!

I initially thought - typical of Ireland not being the most liberal countries in the world when it comes to Gay and Lesbian equality, but was very surprised to read your article and realise that the same discriminatory practices apply in the UK.

I was extremely angered that gay men are still singled out for HIV tests when AIDS has long become a disease that affects all sections of the population, not just gay men!

I intend to write to the Equality Authority here in Ireland, which is a government semi-state body, which monitors these types of issues. I'll keep reading your articles with interest and wish you the best of Irish luck with your campaign.

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