Australia’s Only Gay Head Of State Calls Out ‘Problematic’ Monkeypox Commentary
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Australia’s only out gay head of state, has an important message for public health authorities dealing with the monkeypox outbreak. Barr said that it was important to get the message out that this was not some “niche disease” that only impacted gay men. Barr was speaking to the media following Thursday’s National Cabinet meeting where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, state premiers and territory chief ministers met to coordinate the national response to COVID-19, foot and mouth disease and monkeypox. Barr said that some of the commentary around monkeypox was “concerning”. “This monkeypox is not a gay man’s disease. Monkeypox is transmitted by close, personal contact.