State Sen. Brad Hoylman with Bette Midler — Photo: Facebook New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman has criticized the New York Blood Center for rejecting him as a donor due to his sexuality.
Hoylman, who is gay and has been married to husband David Sigal since 2013, said he visited NYBC last week to try and donate blood to help with a nationwide shortage during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The senator said that he met the FDA’s recently revised blood donation guidelines, which allow gay and bisexual men to donate provided that they have remained celibate for three months.
The requirement, which applies even in monogamous relationships, remains a de facto ban for many men, critics say. Read more: Ending the Gay Blood Ban: Why the FDA’s Changes
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