How queer men nearly eradicated a disease (and the beauty of queer havens)
If you’re reading this newsletter, you’ve made it to the spot for your top-off on the latest in the world of faith, sex and politics.
This week I want to share with you a story you likely didn’t see in the headlines about the near-eradication of monkeypox — the smallpox variant that has become largely associated with men who have sex with men.
Let’s talk about shots, safer sex and the legacy of queer sexual health organizing:
Monkeypox, 1 year later: How queer men nearly eradicated a disease
(Getty Images/Michelle Zenarosa)
On May 11 – less than a year after the JYNNEOS vaccine was approved for prevention of the virus that causes smallpox (to which monkeypox, also known as mpox, is related) – WHO declared the mpox outbreak officially over.
And we all have queer folks to thank for it.
Nudieland, a haven for queer and trans punks, shattered by hate-fueled mass shooting
The shooting does not cast a shadow on what that night was meant to be for LGBTQ+ Minneapolis punk residents. They will always remember the Nudieland house “in the golden hour, yard full of friends, sharing the small joys of music, movies, food, and so, so much love.” (Photo courtesy of Quinn McClurg)
By Denny
Last Friday at a backyard punk show, Quinn McClurg was taking photos of her friends smiling at 10:02 p.m. In mere minutes, the venue became a site of a mass shooting that targeted its queer and trans attendees.
The DIY show was held in the backyard and garage area of Nudieland, a venue located south of Minneapolis, Minn. By the end of the night, six were injured and one was pronounced dead.
“DIY shows are one of the only regularly safe places for trans folks, queer folks, punks and everybody to get together and socialize,” McClurg told Reckon. “Because everybody you know and love is there. People you’ve worked in the encampments with, people you’ve done protests with—everybody’s there.”
Keep reading to hear more from the punks about the importance of queer havens like Nudieland.
From my browsing history:
If you’re looking for more on the wild world of faith, sex and politics, look no further than my browsing history. Here’s my favorite reads from my newshounding in the last week:
“Pleasure is Holy:” How These Latinas Broke Free From Purity Culture (Refinery 29)
Opinion | I used to be a Christian. Now I miss church. (The Washington Post)
Healing From Purity Culture? Read These Books (Sojourners)
Benediction:
Thanks for joining me for another week of Matter of Faith. You can find me online on Instagram, Threads and X.
Send your questions and curiosities to [email protected].
Keep wandering (and wandering).
– Anna