There is still a lot of justified collective rage, confusion, frustration, and fear, as we are handed yet another virus to battle. We are hearing from so many people who are afraid to leave their house, afraid to meet up with friends, afraid to hug, afraid to support LGBTQ-owned businesses, afraid of being outed at work, and afraid of the escalating anti-LGBTQ rhetoric that can lead to violence.
We are also hearing about the challenges people face accessing testing, treatment, and vaccines. The reality is we don’t yet have enough vaccines in this country to fully protect those who are most at risk, queer men and their sexual networks. It could be at least a year before we have access to enough vaccines to meet the current need, and that’s if things don’t get further out of hand.
How can we reduce fear and stop or slow the spread of Monkeypox without vaccines? Educating ourselves and each other with facts and making conscience choices to mitigate risks. Thankfully organizations like The San Diego LGBTQ Community Center and Equality California have created some helpful web pages with information. County of San Diego Health and Human Services is also hosting a Virtual Monkeypox Townhall today, Thursday, August 11 from 6-7 pm.
Monkeypox can be spread through:
Additionally, queer men and our sexual networks can lower the number of sexual partners and increase the period between sexual partners to help slow the spread by giving time to assess if symptoms arise. The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) is usually 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days. Our sexual partners deserve open and honest conversations about our sexual health, and that is only possible if we are educating ourselves and self-aware of our bodies.
Monkeypox isn’t the death sentence HIV/AIDS was in the 1980s. Monkeypox isn’t as transmissible as COVID-19. While the science is working to catch up with the new Monkeypox outbreaks, public education is struggling to catch up with the science. Our country is working to ramp up vaccine availability after the previous administration allowed over 20 Million doses to expire. There is much to do.
Preventing stigma starts with us. Compassion for our community needs to begin from within our community. It’s been inspiring to see so many LGBTQ advocates, activists, and sex workers meet the moment with authentic communication on social media about Monkeypox from our community to our community. We know how to take care of each other. Even when things are new and scary, we know how to pursue Justice with Joy.
With Hope and Pride,
Fernando Z. López
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Executive Director
San Diego Pride
San Diego Pride raises funds primarily through festival ticket and beverage sales, and through sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. These funds support San Diego Pride’s community philanthropy which has distributed more than $2.5 million in advancement of its mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
