FEATURE|MONKEYPOX: A Homophobic Disease?

MONKEYPOX: A Homophobic Disease?

Neil Galvez

Today, misinformation is rampant in anything that reaches human consciousness, sparking a lot of issues that burned itself into the bright yet blinding lights of uncertainties. All these commotions are happening on the grounds of technology—particularly on social media, like a plague in every region of everyday professional, academic, and leisurely discourse that seems to spread uncontrollably, especially if you're not fully equipped with enough facts and research-based evidences. And so, with the emerging outbreak of the viral monkeypox disease that has been declared by health authorities as a global emergency, a professor and 2nd-year student from PHINMA-UPang College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) dismantled some of its baseless assumptions and stereotypes.

On July 29, 2022, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued a health advisory on their site, explaining, “Monkeypox can spread to “anyone” through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact, including: Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox; touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox; or contact with respiratory secretions. This direct contact can happen especially during intimate contact (sex); or prolonged face-to-face contact. A person with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks.”

According to CDC, Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a poxlike disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries. In addition, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals. These cases occurred on multiple continents.

It was said in an NBC News health report that in May [2022], a group of South American researchers analyzed the top English-language Twitter traffic regarding monkeypox. They found that half of it was misinformation or unverifiable information; just 28% included serious, factual information. Prior to the common mistake that “Monkeypox is related to chickenpox”, some information about the latter was taken out of context and instead drew conclusions in relation to the early years of the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)/AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) epidemic. With the buzz of social media, the majority of the LGBTQ+ people raised an alarming number of reactions and opinions across their social media platforms. Some believe that the quote, “history repeats itself” was bred into a new biowarfare weapon that weaponizes prejudice and stigmatization against their community.

To differentiate this from the monkeypox outbreak, in a report by World Health Organization (WHO) official Rosamund Lewis, about 99% of cases are among men, and at least 95% of those patients are men who have sexual intercourse with other men. This whole situation led be contracted by cisgender, heterosexual people. Due to misleading terminologies, the name AIDS was later adopted.

Of course, anyone can argue that it's simply statistics—that it's not “homophobic” to point out that the sector most impacted by monkeypox is the gay community. Ryan Panahon, a 2nd-year Medical Technologist student, detailed some facts regarding certain people who are trying to mislead monkeypox as a stigmatized gay virus. To him, “Monkeypox is, in the first place, never an STD. Instead, a susceptible host could be infected with the monkeypox virus through respiratory fluids and direct contact with lesions of an infected.”

“Now, if a person gets infected, it takes days for the virus to incubate. If this person— who is unaware that they've just become a carrier—goes out and about with people, the chances of transmission are very high, especially if they engage in a relationship that requires intimacy or even hook-up culture. This results in a very high possibility that the virus spreads to the same community where the first to be infected belongs,” Panahon continuously explained. back to the 1980s when AIDS doesn't have an official name and the first cases were MSM (a term for men who have sex with men that were used to describe all types of men who have sex with men instead of only describing homosexual men)— which were commonly called Gay-Related Immune Deficiency (GRID). What some fear is that AIDS started this way, too, that caused a virulent social pattern of stigmatization that caused homosexual people, particularly closeted men in the 80s, were forced to hide their diseases out of fear of being condemned, especially when it inevitably reached outside the gay community. Eventually, they soon found out that AIDS is not isolated to MSM since the disease was also being reported to “Anyone,” he emphasized, “can be infected with the monkeypox virus, regardless of anyone's sexual orientation. Regardless of who we are. With these, it should not be stigmatized as a gay virus. The people who malign the virus are either misinformed or they are just instilling homophobia in the entire society—trying so hard to throw hatred on a community that still fights for a place in this world, against discrimination. Against violence.”

Illustrated by Jasmine Bernadete Bembo

Panahon also reminds the public, especially UPang students, advising, “In public health, epidemiology is very critical and plays a vital part in studying a disease. This gives us an overview of what is happening on the ground. I encourage everyone, especially my fellow students to be critical of what information they consume. Always based on substantial data and facts before making a conclusion. Not everything you read online is true, especially during these times when disinformation is rampant. As pre-med students, we are the backbone of public health. The people rely on what we provide, so we must, in all ways, help spread factual and objective data.”

In an interview with CAHS Professor Carl Baroma, RMT, he scrutinized some of the factors that cause the stigmatization of the monkeypox virus. According to him, “Just like any other public health-related concerns, information is vital in resolving these issues. Hence, misinformation, and disinformation should be taken with high regard. Those who continue to mislead people in stigmatizing way are also victims that's why rampant information dissemination efforts and campaigns should be the utmost priority.” He also suggests that it's only when we recognize facts, that we are freed from any reenforcement of stigmas and prejudice.

Prof. Baroma also highlighted the impacts of misinformation if not addressed right away. He said, “The culture of hate, violence, and prejudice will be reinforced should this misinformation continue; that is why we need to keep our facts straight and on-point every time. This exact narrative already happened when the HIV epidemic plagues the world in the 1980s and it is in our hands to not let history repeat itself and to recognize the results of these occurrences as lessons.”

The CAHS Professor wants his students and co-teaching staff to keep factual information relevant across all platforms, and not let disinformation and misinformation have a place in the information ecosystem. He added, “We need to educate people on how to filter relevant, truthful, and factual information so that, even on the personal level, people can regain the power to recognize truth.” He continued by reminding everyone that always gather your information from trusted and reliable sources. Always be skeptical, and don't let your guards down when it comes to information and truth.

Although the current outbreak is disproportionately affecting the gay community in certain countries, the monkeypox virus tells us a lot about our characteristics regardless if we support a marginalized community or not. In a health article, entitled, “Monkeypox: public health advice for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men”, WHO left a note by reminding everyone that,

Stigmatising people because of a disease is never okay. Anyone can get or pass on monkeypox, regardless of their sexuality.

Everyone can factually learn from this statement that the virus doesn’t discriminate and are not exclusively obtained through a specific sexual orientation. Just because mainly gay folks have it doesn't mean only gay folks will have it. Anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexuality, can get it, not just via sexual means alone. But if there is one thing that is certain, the simple idea of stigmatization and prejudice is worse than any type of virus.