Aired Aug 11, 2022

Monkeypox (MPX) – What You Need to Know

Since it was first reported in the United States about three months ago, there have been more than 6,500 confirmed cases of MPX (monkeypox), mostly amongst gay and bisexual men. Inaccurate information, inconsistent messaging from public health officials, and the intentional spread of misinformation is creating more stigma and demonizing the LGBTQ+ community.

We hosted a conversation about this article as a part of PFLAG Connects and Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, August 11. Did you miss it? You can still watch it here!   

Article: What is monkeypox? Symptoms, risk factors, treatment and how the virus is spread

Source: CNN

Author: Virginia Langmaid

Questions for Discussion:

1. As of this moment, how much do you think you know about MPX (monkeypox) and its spread? Where did your information come from? How do you keep yourself updated in public health emergencies?

2. Do you know what resources (e.g., vaccination sites, testing sites, etc.) for MPX are available in your community? If yes, how can you share that information with more people? If no, identify ways in which you can find this information — and then commit to doing it.

3. The MPX emergency is a rapidly-evolving story. What are some of the resources that you think would be helpful for people at this time? Does this situation make you consider barriers to care that people in the healthcare system face? In what ways? 

Bonus Resources:

• Fenway Health: Monkeypox Information

• CDC: Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Monkeypox

• RESPND-MI: Protecting Against Monkeypox

• ASPR: JYNNEOS Vaccine Distribution by Jurisdiction

• Monkeypox Vaccination Access Project 

• Six Ways We Can Have Safer Sex in the Time of Monkeypox

About Our Guests:

Antón Castellanos-Usigli, MPH – Healthcare Consultant, ACU Innovation and Consulting and Member of the Board of Directors, PFLAG National

Dr. Julia G. Fleming, MD – Medical Director for Public Health Programs, Fenway Health

Ways to Watch:

Available on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn 

Something to Talk About Live is a series designed by PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality program to create conversation about LGBTQ+ issues. Each week we offer an article on LGBTQ+ topics and suggest a few questions you can use to lead a discussion with your ERG, community group, or PFLAG chapter.