Mark Antony Ward 2025
56
years young, living just outside Brighton, East Sussex.
I
was born with severe haemophilia, a bleeding disorder which over time has
caused major damage to most of the joints throughout my body.
Growing
up in Hertfordshire, I became the first severe haemophiliac to attend a
“normal” school which then enabled special needs education to be established. I
have always been a leader. At school and at the hospitals attended I was told
other people’s assumptions numerous times regarding the career in aviation I
was aiming for. But this never stopped
me from, not only daring to dream but has seen me make them a reality, proving
them all wrong. I joined British Airways on their Youth Training Scheme after leaving
school at 16 with a number of qualifications despite so much absence. My career
within the airline developed across a variety of different departments on the
ground and on occasion in the air. I was a highly skilled and licenced senior
cargo assistant before my health declined and I medically retired from BA.
During
this time with great friends who enabled me to embrace my inner fabulousness to
come out. I was asked to become a staff member at G-A-Y in the London Astoria
where my job title was “Door Whore”. I truly loved those days, met some huge
stars and even became a drag queen called BijouX.
I
have been an HIV, LGBTQ+ activist for over 30 years which led to me being a
volunteer for a variety of charities including THT, the West Midlands Lesbian
& Gay Switchboard based in Birmingham and Open Door in Brighton. Coming to
terms with my sexuality was extremely difficult because of the viruses I
contracted through contaminated blood products as a boy. I put that negative
energy to a positive use and addressed the 2004 World Federation of Haemophilia
Congress in Bangkok with a first of its kind booklet entitled, “You Don’t Have
to be Straight to Take Factor 8” to raise the subject of gay men with
Haemophilia.
My
compassion and people skills were recognised by friends within the haemophilia
community and I was asked to join the newly established Tainted Blood Committee
in 2006. I have grown to become a highly experienced campaigner and have held
various roles in TB.
I
have gained invaluable knowledge and experience from the huge amount of
press/media work and often represented TB at high-level meetings and more
recently as a core participant of the ongoing Infected Blood Inquiry.
Based
on personal traumatic incidents surrounding my sexuality, living with PTSD and
Phobic Anxiety Disorder, in 2013 I created my own support network called Haemosexual
for those with a bleeding disorder who identify as LGBTQ+. Providing sexual
health education, tackling stigma, a contact who truly understands as well as
providing a voice to those who feel invisible.
I
have campaigned around the world to get justice for those infected by the
contaminated blood scandal as well as raising awareness about living with HIV,
equality and diversity.
My
devotion to the haemophilia/bleeding disorder community has seen me be an
active member of The Haemophilia Society more than 25+ years. In recognition
for the vital work I am doing, in November 2019, I officially became the
world’s first LGBT Ambassador for the UK Haemophilia Society.
In
2024, I proudly published my memoir “Bleeding Fabulous” whilst the campaign for
justice continues.
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