Mark Ward - Haemosexual

 

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.