New York State Senator Erik Bottcher filmed a public service announcement to mark the third anniversary of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updating its blood donor eligibility guidance, removing previous blanket restrictions that disproportionately affected gay and bisexual men and other members of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’m proud to partner with New York Blood Center to celebrate the three year-anniversary of changes to federal policy that allow more members of the LGBTQ+ community to donate blood,” said Senator Bottcher in a video posted to Instagram and Facebook. “Previously, we faced blanket ban. Now, assessments are made individually for eligibility, but we need people to step up and agree to donate blood.”
Senator Bottcher also highlighted the urgent need for blood following the recent nor’easter, which resulted in the loss of approximately 1,000 blood donations across New York and New Jersey.
Senator Bottcher has consistently supported New York Blood Center going back to his time in the New York City Council. He routinely sponsors blood drives and also spoke at the grand opening of NYBC’s West 35th Street Donor Center in January 2025.