By: Jennifer Costa, Regional Communications Director

Vermonter Bob Bolyard got to do something over the weekend that he hasn’t done in decades. He donated blood.

“I was so relieved when the FDA lightened the restrictions on who could give blood. So finally, after 40 years I’m back here donating blood,” he said.

To mark the historic occasion, Bolyard rolled up a sleeve as “Amber LeMay,” his popular drag queen persona and founding member of the performance troupe known as The House of LeMay.

"I finally qualify!” LeMay stated.

In August, the American Red Cross was able to start welcoming more donors into its lifesaving mission through updated FDA blood donation eligibility guidelines that eliminate longstanding broad, time-based deferrals based on sexual orientation, making the blood donation process more inclusive.

“It means that it opens up a lot more veins for people to donate blood, and we just have to get the word out that now you can," LeMay said.

Under this new donor screening process, all donors answer the same eligibility questions regardless of gender or sexual orientation and will be assessed based on individual risk factors, not on sexual orientation. This change eliminates the FDA’s previous policy that deferred men who have sex with men from giving blood.

“It was very easy. I made appointment. The I went online and got my Rapid Pass. So, I just came in, answered a few questions. They did a health history. It took maybe a total of 10 minutes – and here I am on the table,” continued LeMay.

While we celebrate this significant milestone, we also recognize there is more work to be done. The Red Cross is committed to working with patient and LGBTQ+ advocates, as well as industry stakeholders, to achieve an inclusive blood donation process that treats all potential donors with equality and respect, and ensures that a safe, sufficient blood supply is readily available for patients in need.

So, what is Amber LeMay’s message to the LGBTQ+ community?

"If you can, do it! It’s not just for you. It’s for someone you know who is going to need blood in the future. And if it’s not there, it’s not there,” Le May said. “Right now, the need is great and if I can help, I'm going to.”

To learn more about the new inclusive screening process: https://rdcrss.org/45kLW9d