Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Andy Cohen Implores Gay Men To Take Monkeypox Seriously: 'I Know It’s Summer, But Keep It Locked Up'

Andy Cohen Implores Gay Men To Take Monkeypox Seriously: 'I Know It’s Summer, But Keep It Locked Up'
@bravoandy/Instagram

With New York City declaring a state of emergency over the rapidly ballooning Monkeypox outbreak, Bravo host Andy Cohen pleaded with his gay audience to stay vigilant.

As of Monday, New York City reported 1,472 Monkeypox cases–with most cases disproportionately affecting gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, although the viral disease can affect anyone.


The number of reported cases in the city is widely believed to be well-underreported, as well as the 5,189 national case count, due to a lack of diagnosis.

On Monday's airing of Watch What Happens Live, the out TV personality explained:

“Monkeypox cases have risen so dramatically in New York City that mayor Eric Adams issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency today."

Touching on what has been considered a “slow and bureaucratic” response by the US government, Cohen continued:

“After what’s been an abysmal response from our government so far, I’m hoping this new order will help our leaders actually deal with this threat and pressure the federal government to deploy badly needed resources like vaccines, which have been very hard to come by.”

He then addressed fellow members of the LGBTQ community.

“I want to speak to my gay brothers for a minute. We need to take this seriously because this is affecting us at much higher rates than others right now so be aware, get vaccinated if you can, and please—I know it’s summer and we all have COVID fatigue—but please be safe."
"Don’t take unnecessary risks. I know it’s summer, but keep it locked up.”

“At the same time,” he continued, “I call on everyone in the government and the media to not stigmatize our community, which is already under attack from many who’d rather use us as a scapegoat than help us."

Cohen also addressed heterosexual men who may not believe the outbreak doesn't affect them "this is everyone’s problem because as we’ve learned from very recent history: Unless we act now these things can get a whole lot worse very quickly.”

Followers and colleagues thanked Cohen for using his platform to address the current health crisis.

@bravoandy/Instagram

@bravoandy/Instagram

@bravoandy/Instagram

@bravoandy/Instagram

@bravoandy/Instagram

@bravoandy/Instagram

@bravoandy/Instagram

@bravoandy/Instagram



According to the California Department of Public Health, Monkeypox is spread primarily "through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs, or body fluids, including during sex, as well as activities like kissing, hugging, massaging, and cuddling."

The department also stated it can be spread through contact with materials used by an infected person that hasn't been cleaned such as clothing and bedding.

"It can also spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, close, face-to-face contact," they added.

Monkeypox has continued spreading across other American cities–and not only exclusively among men who have sex with men–and the limited vaccine supply has resulted in long waiting lists and lines at clinics as cases continue to rise.

Leaders of national LGBTQ organizations are frustrated over the federal government's "lack of urgency" towards the Monkeypox outbreak.

Tyler TerMeer, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, said:

"We are, once again, in a moment where a lack of urgency and an inadequate response has left our community filled with fear, unanswered questions and valid outrage."
"A moment where we have been abandoned by inaction."

Last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci called the outbreak a "serious problem."

He told CNN that the White House is considering establishing a Monkeypox coordinator role, similar to the COVID job Dr. Ashish Jha has now.

The Monkeypox coordinator role would focus on increasing testing, vaccine distribution, therapeutic treatments, and more.

More from News/lgbtq

Ribvar Karimi and Morgan Gardner Karimi
Morgan Karimi/Facebook

Alabama Woman 'Blindsided' After ICE Detains Her Trump-Supporting Iranian Husband

Another day, another MAGA face eaten by a leopard.

The "it wasn't supposed to happen to me" movement claimed two more victims on Sunday, June 22, when Ribvar Karimi was abducted by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in a sweep that included 11 Iranians.

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

RFK Jr. Admits That Banning Fluoridated Water Will Cause 'More Cavities'—But He's OK With That

Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was criticized after admitting in a Fox News interview with Harris Faulkner that his proposed fluoridated water ban would likely lead people to have more cavities—but defended the move nonetheless.

While fluoride is not federally mandated in drinking water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had long recommended its inclusion. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by strengthening enamel, and numerous studies have shown that fluoridated water reduces tooth decay in both children and adults.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jesse Watters discussing Zohran Mamdani
Fox News

Jesse Watters Dragged After Trying To Give Mamdani A Scary Nickname That's Actually Kind Of Epic

Fox News personality Jesse Watters was widely mocked after he tried to give New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a scary nickname in the vein of Conan the Destroyer—only for it to backfire considerably.

Watters is the latest member of the GOP to lash out at Mamdani, a democratic socialist who handily defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary last week.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man sitting on a couch
man sitting on sofa
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

People Sound Off On What Caused Them To Fire Their Therapist

We thankfully live in a world where there's no longer a stigma surrounding therapy.

Some people simply need professional help to deal with ongoing problems or even to get through the day.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andy Ogles; Zohran Mamdani
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images (left and right)

MAGA Rep Slammed After Calling For Mamdani To Be Stripped Of His Citizenship And Deported Over Rap Lyric

Tennessee Republican Andy Ogles was called out after he shared a letter he sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her to denaturalize and deport New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over a lyric in a rap song Mamdani released in 2017.

Mamdani ran a campaign centered around economic populism, arguing that the city, a global financial center, has grown unaffordable for everyday residents, citing soaring rents and grocery prices, and outlining policies aimed at reducing the cost of living.

Keep ReadingShow less