Blood is Blood Press & News
Since 2015, Blood is Blood has been featured in local, regional, and national media for its advocacy work surrounding blood donation equality, LGBTQ+ health, and individual, risk-based donor eligibility policies.
Founded by Jordan James, Blood is Blood has used media coverage as an important tool to educate the public, raise awareness about the former federal blood donation restrictions affecting many gay and bisexual men, promote lifesaving blood drives, and encourage evidence-based policy change.
Media Coverage & Public Awareness
Over the years, Blood is Blood has drawn attention from outlets covering LGBTQ+ advocacy, public health, HIV/AIDS awareness, blood donation policy, and community impact. These stories have helped amplify the organization’s message: every eligible individual should have the opportunity to help save lives through blood donation.
Media coverage has highlighted key moments in Blood is Blood’s history, including the Community Rally for Equality in Blood Donation, the Pride Alliance Blood Drives, Jordan James’ year of celibacy to donate blood, and the broader movement toward individual, risk-based donor eligibility policies.
Press Inquiries
Blood is Blood welcomes media inquiries related to blood donation equality, LGBTQ+ donor eligibility, Pride Alliance Blood Drives, community advocacy, and the history of the movement to end outdated blood donation restrictions affecting many gay and bisexual men.
For interviews, media requests, or press materials, please contact Blood is Blood through our contact form.
Our Message
Blood is Blood believes that saving lives should unite us. Through education, advocacy, partnerships, and public awareness, we continue working to promote blood donation, reduce stigma, and support fair, science-based donor eligibility policies for the LGBTQ+ Community and all willing donors.
WKBW-TV
Gay man fighting for right to give blood
Dec 03, 2015
Summary:
Twenty-year old Jordan Moll-Vigrass of North Tonawanda says he wanted to give blood in October, but was denied.
"There is a process where they ask a bunch of questions and one of them was had I had sex with a man since 1977," said Moll-Vigrass. "I answered yes because I'm openly gay and in a four-year relationship. The receptionist came in and reviewed my answer, saying I was definitely banned from donating blood."
Spectrum News
'Blood is Blood' Effort Pushes to Allow Gay, Bisexual Men to Donate
Dec 14, 2015
Summary:
A gay man from Western New York wants to see the U.S. Food and Drug Administration end a ban that prevents him from donating blood and helping others.
At at time when many are thinking about presents under the tree, Jordan Mollvigrass, 20, wants to give the gift of life.
"Being able to save three lives by one blood donation is more than satisfying to me, and fills me with happiness and joy," he said.
Facing an FDA ban in effect since the 1980s, put in place by the FDA against men who have sex with men to reduce HIV transmission by blood products, Mollvigrass started an effort called "Blood is Blood" to raise awareness about the need to change what he calls an outdated policy.
WIVB-TV
Supporters of the “Blood is Blood” organization fight for right to donate blood
Dec 14, 2015
Summary:
The “Blood is Blood” movement is fighting for the right to donate blood.
The FDA currently has a policy that bans gay or bisexual men from being a donor.
“This ban has a stigmatizing effect on our community. I am A-negative. Every time I see that there’s a shortage, I think of it as a lost opportunity,” Matthew Crehan Higgins, the senior director at the Pride Center of Western New York said.
The Blood is Blood Organizer, Jordan Moll Vigrass said, “The FDA is classifying all gay and bisexuals as a risk and it needs to be based on an individual donors risk. The FDA cannot just throw a blanket over all people and say they are all risks.”
Local man pushes for FDA to end ban on gay blood donors
Dec 14, 2015
Summary:
A campaign is underway to change the Food and Drug Administration's 35-year-old ban on gay blood donors.
Jordan Moll Vigrass, 20, who has fatty liver disease, is the organizer of "Blood is Blood." Moll Vigrass says eventually he will need a transplant.
"I know my chances are slim to none. With that being said, donating once...it can help save up to three lives. If I can do that, that's going to mean a lot to me," he said at a news conference Monday in Buffalo's Niagara Square.
Moll Vigrass says the FDA's policy prevents thousands of men from donating blood."
Blood drive shines light on 'archaic' FDA policy on gay donors
July 27, 2016
Summary:
The FDA announced Tuesday it would begin a review of its policy on blood donations from gay men. But many members of the LGBTQ community are still upset about being turned away when they tried to donate blood following the terrorist attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
The agency recently ended its 30-year old policy of a lifetime ban on gay blood donors. However, gay men can not donate blood unless they have been celibate for 12 months.
The Gay Alliance hosted a blood drive at the American Red Cross headquarters on Delaware Avenue Wednesday to raise awareness of the policy. Blood is Blood founder Jordan Moll-Vigrass said it's time for the FDA to end its "archaic" policies.
NCPR
New guidelines on blood donations from gay men draws mixed reviews
Dec 28, 2015
Summary:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released an updated policy on blood donations that lifts a formal ban on donations from gay and bisexual men. But gay rights activists say the updated guidelines still discriminate against many who should be healthy, eligible donors.
The final guidelines released by the FDA continues to ban men who have had sex with other men over the past year. Although the rules are relaxed, many say the FDA could do better.
"It's a 12-month ban, as opposed to a lifetime ban," said Congressman Brian Higgins, who was pushing for change. "It's arbitrary. It's not risk based. It's not science based."
Some gay rights activists say the updated policy is a double standard, because it continues to work against many gay and bisexual men who may be in monogamous relationships but, by remaining sexually active, are left out. Jordan Moll Vigrass, organizer of Blood Is Blood, said a heterosexual with numerous partners within a 12-month period would not be looked upon in the same way as the gay or bisexual man involved with just one committed partner. "There's still a lot of healthy donors that are not going to be eligible to donate blood because of it," he said. "They (federal officials) really need to focus on an individual-based questionnaire for one person, not a group of people."
Activist: gay men should be able to donate blood
July 27, 2016
Summary:
A Facebook movement pressuring the FDA to allow gay men to donate blood is catching on. Now, a local congressman is weighing in on the fight that is very personal for one western New Yorker.
Jordan Moll Vigrass has been diagnosed with stage three fatty liver disease.
"Knowing my chances are slim to none, being able to save three lives in one blood donation is more than satisfactory, it fills me with joy," Moll Vigrass said.
"I hope that when the time comes that I need a liver, that somebody will help. I'm trying to pay it forward.".
“Blood is Blood” drive hopes to curb Red Cross blood shortage.
July 26, 2016
Summary:
The American Red Cross put out an emergency request for blood donations amid a summer blood shortage. The organization has less then a five day supply on hand.
Now a new organization is doing everything it can to replenish the supply. Right now, if you’re a gay or bi-sexual man there is a federal ban on blood donation unless you stay abstinent for a full year. “Blood Is Blood” is an organization that’s encouraging the FDA to change these donation policies.
Members of this group were turned away from donating after the Pulse- nightclub shooting in Orlando. In light of the urgent need for blood, Wednesday, from 12pm-6pm the organization will hold a drive in solidarity with the American Red Cross..
Approximate Lives Saved
Policy Changes Influenced