Dying man denied ability to donate crucial heart valves because he had gay sex

A dying gay man has been denied the chance to change other people’s lives by donating crucial blood and tissue.

Corey Eteveneaux was left on life support after a horrific road crash less than two months after he celebrated his 24th birthday.

His mother and partner were told that the New Zealander could not survive the injuries, so they took him off life support – but, they thought, at least after death, he could continue to help others.

They took steps to offer Corey’s heart valves and corneas, only to be told that his homosexuality made this impossible.

In New Zealand, men who have gay sex are not allowed to donate blood or tissue within 12 months of their last sexual encounter.

The deferral period stood at 10 years until 2008, then at five years until 2014, when it was reduced to 12 months.

Corey’s mother, Cherie, said: “I spoke with a woman from Organ Donation NZ and initially I thought she wanted to speak to me about Corey’s tattoos and when the last time was he had work done,” according to Stuff.

But the truth was much harder to take.

“Instead she told me they couldn’t take Corey’s heart valves or corneas because of his lifestyle,” Cherie continued.

“Eventually she said it was because he’s a homosexual man.”

Corey had been in a committed relationship with his partner Daniel Jacobs, 29, for two years, and the pair had both been tested when they started going out, Cherie said.