Support

Share helpful, accurate facts about MPX (monkeypox)

Late last week, the Biden Administration declared MPX (monkeypox) a national health emergency. PFLAG National supports this action, as MPX is a public health threat that affects LGBTQ+ people and therefore all of us. We must all act responsibly to help keep our families, friends, and loved ones safe. PFLAG National released a statement on Friday, August 5th, in support of meaningful actions that could and should be taken.

One action we can and should all take is to ensure that we all share helpful facts and information when it comes to MPX. Here are some you can use:

• MPX can be acquired by all people, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. 
• MPX is spread through direct close contact with an infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids including respiratory droplets from another person – or even being scratched or bitten by an infected animal.
• Direct, close contact can be any body-to-body or body-to-droplet contact
• It’s possible to transmit monkeypox on surfaces (like if you share a towel with someone with a rash or try on clothes at a boutique), but it’s less likely. There isn’t much risk of getting monkeypox from sharing things like toilet seats, pools and gym equipment, but you should use caution and avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with a rash or MPX has used.
• Educate yourself and others on MPX symptoms
• Here is how to help prevent the spread.

For more detailed information and resources, visit PFLAG National's resource page at pflag.org/MPX. 

Education

Three Steps to Being a Better LGBTQ+ Historian

Knowing our history is absolutely vital, especially as things continue to change and evolve. Here are some ways to brush up on your LGBTQ+ history:

1. Learn: Check out pflag.org/LGBTHistoryRecording to take a look at some websites, films, books, and other resources that will help you learn more about LGBTQ+ history, no matter where you are on your learning journey. 
2. Watch: PFLAG Academy On-Demand includes multiple sessions for those who would like to learn more about LGBTQ+ history and culture in the United States. Check out sessions like, “Don't Know Much About LGBTQ History?: The Ultimate LGBTQ History and Culture Extravaganza” and “When LGBTQ Past and Present Collide! How LGBTQ History Can Illuminate Today’s Challenges.” For some listening, check out the Making Gay History podcast, with episodes featuring PFLAG founder Jeanne Manford and her son, activist Morty Manford, and past PFLAG National president Paulette Goodman.
3. Share: Follow LGBTQ+ history accounts on social media, such as Making Gay History, The History Project, and Queer History.

Advocacy

Tell your Senators: Vote in Favor of the Respect for Marriage Act!

Keep Calling Your Senators -- The Senate is working its way down the list of needed actions, and we need to keep up the drumbeat for their support on the Respect for Marriage Act. People opposed to equality are placing calls daily, so let's meet and beat their daily numbers.

Something to Talk About...Live!

MPX (monkeypox): What You Need to Know

Since it was first reported in the United States about three months ago, there have been more than 6,500 confirmed cases of MPX (monkeypox), mostly amongst gay and bisexual men. Inaccurate information, inconsistent messaging from public health officials, and the intentional spread of misinformation is creating more stigma and demonizing the LGBTQ+ community.

This week we will be discussing “What is monkeypox? Symptoms, risk factors, treatment and how the virus is spread” which appeared in CNN by Virginia Langmaid. We're excited to welcome Antón Castellanos-Usigli, MPH and Dr. Julia G. Fleming to the conversation! 

You can join this discussion live! Mark your calendar for Something to Talk About Live on Thursday, August 11 at 4:30 PM ET / 1:30 PM PT on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

To learn more--and to check out our discussion questions in advance--visit pflagnation.al/STTALive-081122.