Sven Lehmann comments on monkeypox and a risk of stigmatization

While the world is still struggling with the Corona virus, the next virus has already made it into the media. In the news, there are more and more reports about the so-called monkeypox. Among other things, there is always talk in this context that mainly gay or bisexual men are affected. Health Minister Lauterbach has also spoken out in this regard.

And even Sven Lehmann is not unaffected by the reporting. He recently emphasized that anyone can be affected by monkeypox... Not just gay men.

Sven Lehmann educates about monkeypox

"The virus knows no sexual orientation."

It is currently known that monkeypox is spread through close skin contact and droplet infection. Accordingly, anyone who regularly maintains close contact with many people is at risk - or so it seems. Of course, this includes men who like to date other men - no question about that. But equally, people who engage in frequently changing heterosexual sexual intercourse can become infected.

It is important to know and also to emphasize again and again that not only bi- and homosexual men are particularly at risk of becoming infected. Sven Lehmann warns: "The virus knows no sexual orientation. Accordingly, anyone who leads a dissolute sexual life with changing partners is also at risk. It is important to address specific target groups without stigmatizing individual population groups.

A classic (and certainly useful) way to reach people who like to go on sex dates is through dating apps - but not just the apps explicitly aimed at gay men, all of them.

"Scaremongering and stigmatization must be avoided at all costs."
Lehmann criticizes that many media have already made similar mistakes as they did at the time of the Aids crisis. Those who write that mainly gay men fall ill with monkeypox are sending a frightening and false subtext. Because: The assumption could arise that it is the fault of the community that the virus has the possibility to spread at all.

Sven Lehmann further explains in this context: "Scaremongering and stigmatization must be avoided at all costs, and UNAIDS, Deutsche AIDS-Hilfe and the WHO also warn against this."

The fact that Health Minister Karl Lauterbach stated that it was wrong "to stigmatize men who are homosexual and have sex with men," is now viewed skeptically by some within the community as well. Because: Lauterbach was also quoted as saying that gay men are a risk group.

Sven Lehmann educates about monkeypox

How will Sven Lehmann continue to operate?

Sven Lehmann is the first queer commissioner of politics in Germany. Therefore, many people from the community should be pleased that he has now - after Lauterbach and other politicians - also spoken out.

If the coverage doesn't change, and if the image of gay men "particularly likely to contract monkeypox" continues to solidify in the future, he may have to do a lot of countering in the weeks and months ahead.

To prevent the same thing from happening as during the AIDS crisis, it is all the more important to focus on one very important detail: Education. The earlier this bears fruit, the better. In this way, not only stigmatization but also one or two infections can be avoided.

However, anyone who has taken a closer look at Lehmann and his work in recent months should know that the queer representative has a lot going for him and certainly does not lack motivation to stand up for the community.

 

Already heard? Professional footballer Jake Daniels is gay!

 

Leave a Reply