As a gay man, I’ve seen the reverberation around the gay community. Even tho monkey pox isn’t lethal, I have heard horror stories of people describing the worst pain of their lives, and permanent scarring of tissue that will unlikely ever fully heal.
A previous commenter stated that there is no messaging urging gay men to reduce their casual sexual encounters, stating that it is considered homophobic, and I would highly disagree. It is a regular and common conversation amongst my gay peers, as well as in sexual health clinics, and even messaging being posted in gay bars. I know most recent pride events have a MUCH lower attendance this year than in previous years, and conversations with other gay men are consistently discussing cancelled vacations and parties specifically because of monkeypox. (I myself have entered an exclusive relationship, partly with monkeypox in mind. I know others are adjusting their actions similarly). It is being taken seriously, tho of course there will be countless individuals who will flaunt the risks regardless.
But I do believe these days there are a lot more men who have sex with both men and women, and I have no doubt it will very soon be a more significant and pressing issue for the population at large.
Even if the virus isn’t yet manifesting as something very lethal, it still seems like a really horrific disease that can lead to long term tissue damage, and something I think everyone will want to avoid if possible. I don’t yet have any specific thoughts on the smallpox vaccine being used for it, but I know it is in incredibly short supply, and (for the time being) plan on getting vaccinated for it when it is available.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2022-08-14 05:21 pm (UTC)A previous commenter stated that there is no messaging urging gay men to reduce their casual sexual encounters, stating that it is considered homophobic, and I would highly disagree. It is a regular and common conversation amongst my gay peers, as well as in sexual health clinics, and even messaging being posted in gay bars. I know most recent pride events have a MUCH lower attendance this year than in previous years, and conversations with other gay men are consistently discussing cancelled vacations and parties specifically because of monkeypox. (I myself have entered an exclusive relationship, partly with monkeypox in mind. I know others are adjusting their actions similarly). It is being taken seriously, tho of course there will be countless individuals who will flaunt the risks regardless.
But I do believe these days there are a lot more men who have sex with both men and women, and I have no doubt it will very soon be a more significant and pressing issue for the population at large.
Even if the virus isn’t yet manifesting as something very lethal, it still seems like a really horrific disease that can lead to long term tissue damage, and something I think everyone will want to avoid if possible. I don’t yet have any specific thoughts on the smallpox vaccine being used for it, but I know it is in incredibly short supply, and (for the time being) plan on getting vaccinated for it when it is available.