As monkeypox gets linked to LGBT community, here’s how and why it’s important to dispel the stigma

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 — The World Health Organisation had in July sounded the highest alarm for the, calling it a global health emergency that disproportionately impacted queer men.

In other words, monkeypox is not a disease that only affects men who have sex with men , but an infection that can be transmitted to anyone regardless of sexual orientation or identity. From there, the virus found its way to other parts of Europe, the Americas and slowly hit the shores of Malaysia’s neighbouring countries such as Singapore which reported 11, and Thailand which reported two at the time of writing.Some reporting of monkeypox in Malaysia has since linked the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community to the disease. Advocacy group Justice For Sisters called out problematic reporting in two Malay-language news outlets.

“In Malaysia, the government and members of the public already exploit or misuse illnesses like HIV and even disasters to reinforce harmful misinformation that LGBTQ+ persons are sinners, and must be dealt with for the greater good,” the sexuality rights advocate at JFS said, adding that some might see monkeypox as a form of retribution for “sinning”.

“The trajectory of infections with monkeypox follows the early trends of HIV/AIDS,” Dr Choong Sim Poey of Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia said.

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Cambodia Health Ministry elevates monkeypox warnings amid global increase in casesCAMBODIA, Aug 7 (The Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The Health Ministry once again reminded the general public to take extra precautions and continue to prevent the spread of monkeypox, as the disease was reported to be on the rise in countries around the world, in the region and in neighbouring countries.
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