the pride
ISSUE NUMBER 80, VOLUME 51 | AUGUST 1 – AUGUST 31, 2022 08.01.2022 – 08.31.2022
WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM
LOS ANGELES
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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
Monkeypox Cases Triple in California as Officials Stress It’s Not a Gay Disease LA County to host vaccine pop up in WeHo By SuSan Payne Monkeypox cases in California have tripled since the first reported case nearly two weeks ago with some cities calling a state of emergency and others carefully weighing options. As part of the state’s ongoing response to the monkeypox outbreak, Governor Gavin Newsom August 1 declared a State of Emergency to bolster the state’s vaccination efforts. The proclamation supports the work underway by the California Department of Public Health and others in the administration to coordinate a wholeof-government response to monkeypox, seek additional vaccines and lead outreach and education efforts on accessing vaccines and treatment. “California is working urgently across all levels of government to slow the spread of
monkeypox, leveraging our robust testing, contact tracing and community partnerships strengthened during the pandemic to ensure that those most at risk are our focus for vaccines, treatment and outreach,” Newsom said. “We’ll continue to work with the federal government to secure more vaccines, raise awareness about reducing risk, and stand with the LGBTQ community fighting stigmatization. To expand vaccination efforts, the proclamation enables Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to administer monkeypox vaccines that are approved by the FDA, similar to the statutory authorization recently enacted for pharmacists to administer vaccines. In addition on August 2, the Los Angeles County declared a public health emergecy in response to monkey pox, a move that was commed by the Los Angeles LGBTQ Center. “Gov. Newsom and the County are taking the necessary steps to keep all communities safe and making it clear that human monkeypox is not just an LGBT issue. We
Monkeypox, see page 11
LA Rams Back Varsity Gay League Venture to Start Flag Football League League is open to everyone regardless of sexuality, gender or skill level By SuSan Payne The Varsity Gay League is starting a flag football league in Los Angeles with support from the LA Rams. Recently, the Super Bowl champions held a clinic for 100 players in the queer recreational sports league, according to NBC Los Angeles. Contrary to its name, the league is open to everyone regardless of sexuality, gender or skill level. Will Hackner, founded the organization 15 years ago because sports organizations have not welcomed queer people, he said. “It’s not to say that gay people couldn’t play on them,” Hackner told NBC. “It’s just that
they were always referred to as the gay player. I wanted a space where everyone could just be a player.” In under two decades, the league has expanded to 23 cities across the nation with more than 7,000 people participating each week, according to NBC. “We have about 12 different sports that we play,” Hackner said. “Everything from football to dodgeball, soccer, bocce ball, cornhole to softball.” Supporting the Varsity Gay League, the LA Rams created a conjoined flag and donated footballs, cones and other equipment to the team. Although grateful for the equipment, Hackner said the intangible support makes the biggest difference. “It shows to me the power of love, the power of passion and the power the Rams have when it comes to really showing their support for our community, which is pretty outstanding,” Hackner said.