TL;DR
- CDC removes mpox guidance for LGBTQ events
- Critics call it a violation of public health
- Experts warn of eroding trust in health agencies
- Removal follows a court order for restoration
- Community health networks are stepping up
In a shocking move that has LGBTQ advocates fuming, the CDC has quietly erased vital mpox guidance that was crucial for Pride events and other community gatherings. This deletion, which critics are dubbing a blatant act of public health treason, comes despite a judge’s order mandating the restoration of such information. It’s like we’re stuck in a time loop, and not the good kind.
Under the Trump administration, the CDC, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been accused of systematically scrubbing medically vetted information that serves queer communities. The now-vanished page titled “Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Monkeypox” once provided explicit guidance on how to navigate sexual encounters during an infectious disease outbreak. Now, it’s just a ghost of a webpage, leaving many to wonder: what’s next?
As of Thursday evening, anyone attempting to access the page is met with a frustrating message: “The page you’re looking for was not found.” However, thanks to the Wayback Machine, we can see what was there just a week prior. The guidance included practical advice on everything from getting vaccinated to reducing skin-to-skin contact in high-risk settings, including sex clubs and parties. It was a rare moment of honesty from federal health agencies, addressing the realities of queer sexual health without shame.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, a prominent LGBTQ public health expert and former deputy coordinator for the national mpox response, didn’t mince words when he described the removal as “high public health treason.” He pointed out that the guidance was crafted with scientific backing and aimed to provide honest, straightforward information to those at risk. “It’s not a mistake; they purposely took it down because it doesn’t comport with the administration’s priorities,” he stated, echoing the frustrations of many in the community.
The deletion raises serious questions about whether federal agencies are continuing to erase essential public health resources, despite a court ruling that condemned such actions. Judge John D. Bates previously criticized the Trump administration for its “slapdash” approach to removing LGBTQ and HIV-related health information, and now it seems the CDC is back at it again.
Jared Todd from the Human Rights Campaign emphasized the broader implications of this erasure, stating, “We’re in a dangerous moment for public health.” He noted that marginalized communities, particularly BIPOC and LGBTQ individuals, have historically been underserved by public health systems. The removal of medically vetted information only exacerbates this issue, isolating vulnerable populations even further.
Dr. Reshma Ramachandran, a board member of Doctors for America, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the CDC’s actions undermine the spirit of their successful legal challenge against the administration. “The agency has basically abandoned its role as a public health agency in removing this evidence-based information,” she said, highlighting the ideological motivations behind the deletion.
As the community grapples with this latest setback, many are turning to mutual aid and community-based health networks for support. Todd remarked, “Our community will do what we’ve always done — we’ll show up for each other, we’ll get vaccinated, and we’ll look to trusted community health sources for information.” It’s a testament to the resilience of the LGBTQ community, but it shouldn’t have to be this way.
With the stakes higher than ever, the erasure of crucial health information is not just an administrative oversight; it’s a dangerous precedent that could have real-world consequences for public health. As we move forward, one thing is clear: the LGBTQ community deserves better, and we won’t stop fighting for our right to accurate, accessible health information.