World Health Organization Says It’s ‘Important’ That Pride Celebrations Do Not Change Over Monkeypox Concerns

“It’s important that people who want to go out and celebrate gay pride, LGBTQ+ pride, to continue to go and plan to do so,” Andy Seale, a strategies adviser in the WHO Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, said during a press briefing on Monday, according to The Hill. 

“There is no specific transmission route that we need to be worried about,” Seale said. “It really is connected to the fact there have been a couple of events that have perhaps amplified the current outbreak.” 

Last week, WHO issued “public health advice for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.” 

“It is important to note that the risk of monkeypox is not limited to men who have sex with men. Anyone who has close contact with someone who is infectious is at risk. However, given that the virus is being identified in these communities, learning about monkeypox will help ensure that as few people as possible are affected and that the outbreak can be stopped,” the guidance said. 

In bold lettering at the bottom of the guidance, the WHO wrote, “stigmatising people because of a disease is never ok. Anyone can get or pass on monkeypox, regardless of their sexuality.”