#1 Welsh bank requires HIV test as mortgage inquiry...?
Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:29 am
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/4231076.stm
The couple from Porthmadog, north Wales, were inquiring about the loan when they were asked to take the test as part of the insurance application.
Pressure group Stonewall said the case highlights inequality shown towards lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
The HSBC bank has said it is changing its policy.
It said it is in the process of changing the wording on its forms and will no longer ask applicants to disclose their sexual orientation.
One of the men called Stuart, who did not want to reveal his surname, said he was "gobsmacked" by the way he was questioned about his sexual orientation.
"One of the questions was: 'Are you a part of, or have you ever been part of the following groups - bisexual, homosexual or an intravenous drug user?'" he said
I felt dirty and so did my partner, we felt incredibly dirty as if we'd done something wrong.
Stuart
"We, of course, said we were gay and simply on that, it said on the computer screen we would be offered life cover on the proviso we take the HIV test.
"I felt dirty and so did my partner, we felt incredibly dirty as if we'd done something wrong.
"It was purely on the grounds that we were gay, basically discrimination against us," he added.
In a statement HSBC Life (UK) said its paper application forms had already been amended, and electronic versions were due to be changed by the end of September.
The couple are yet to decide whether they will stay on as HSBC customers.
... Gobsmacked indeed.
The couple from Porthmadog, north Wales, were inquiring about the loan when they were asked to take the test as part of the insurance application.
Pressure group Stonewall said the case highlights inequality shown towards lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
The HSBC bank has said it is changing its policy.
It said it is in the process of changing the wording on its forms and will no longer ask applicants to disclose their sexual orientation.
One of the men called Stuart, who did not want to reveal his surname, said he was "gobsmacked" by the way he was questioned about his sexual orientation.
"One of the questions was: 'Are you a part of, or have you ever been part of the following groups - bisexual, homosexual or an intravenous drug user?'" he said
I felt dirty and so did my partner, we felt incredibly dirty as if we'd done something wrong.
Stuart
"We, of course, said we were gay and simply on that, it said on the computer screen we would be offered life cover on the proviso we take the HIV test.
"I felt dirty and so did my partner, we felt incredibly dirty as if we'd done something wrong.
"It was purely on the grounds that we were gay, basically discrimination against us," he added.
In a statement HSBC Life (UK) said its paper application forms had already been amended, and electronic versions were due to be changed by the end of September.
The couple are yet to decide whether they will stay on as HSBC customers.
... Gobsmacked indeed.