RALEIGH, N.C. — As of Monday, there are now 250 confirmed cases of monkeypox across North Carolina. North Carolina health officials say 70% of those who have the disease are Black men who are intimate with men. As cases rise, there’s a push to get more people vaccinated.
What You Need To Know
Monkeypox confirmed cases have increased to 250 across North Carolina as push to vaccinate people continues
North Carolina AIDS Action Network is planning a pop-up health fair at a queer nightclub in Raleigh called Ruby Deluxe
N.C. officials say majority of people getting vaccinated are white, while most monkeypox cases are in Black men
Matt Martin, associate director with the North Carolina AIDS Action Network, is leading efforts to hold a pop-up health fair on monkeypox education at Ruby Deluxe, a queer nightclub in downtown Raleigh.
He and his colleague, De’Shea Coney, met with Ruby’s owner to learn more about the event space. They’ve picked this club because the patrons are more diverse, LGBTQ people of color.
Martin has been a community organizer for six years. He recently presented at an international AIDS conference where the topic of monkeypox was brought up on the global stage. This sparked his desire to do more to ensure North Carolinians are educated and have equitable access to vaccines.
North Carolina officials say most monkeypox cases are in Black men. The majority of people getting vaccinated are white. The racial disparity is a concern for Martin.
“We need to make sure that we’re intentional about spreading awareness to folks who are most impacted to make sure that they have equitable access to vaccines,” said Martin, a member of the queer community. “I feel like Ruby is really intentional, ensuring that it’s a diverse community and really meets community where they are. And it’s not just a white gay space, as some other places are. But it's intentional about being diverse and welcoming for queer and trans folks, particularly queer and trans folks of color.”
Martin believes we’ve come a long way since the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
“In certain ways we’re more prepared for this,” Martin said. “I think as a community of people who are working in HIV, who work in queer spaces, we’re prepared for this because there’s more resources for us, and we are able to take care of our communities better. I do think that the government can do a better job of when marginalized communities are the ones who are most impacted, it seems like rollout is slower.”
Martin wants to reduce the stigma and shame attached to monkeypox.
“We know that monkeypox doesn’t just impact the queer community. It is going to impact everybody,” Martin said. “It’s not a queer disease. It's a skin-to-skin contact disease that can impact anyone and everyone. It’s really important to start in our community and then spread that word farther, because it starts with what you know. People can tell other people can tell other people 'cause that’s how education happens.”
Martin says he will continue to educate community members and debunk any misinformation that may exist about the monkeypox vaccine. He’s also hoping to work with Wake County health officials to provide vaccines on-site at Ruby. He hasn’t yet confirmed a date for his event but is aiming for early September.
Last week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it will make an additional 1.8 million doses of the Jynneos vaccine available for order. The Biden administration will also allow jurisdictions to request additional doses for large events attracting LGBTQ communities.