24th of August, 2022

Let each of you look not to your own interests,

but to the interests of others.  (Philippians 2:4)

“God makes us God’s people, a beloved community.” 

(From the MCC Statement of Faith)

The Council of Elders of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) lifts up prayers for all people infected or impacted by Monkeypox. The MCC Elders are aware that the World Health Organization is currently seeking a new name for the virus to lessen discrimination and negative impacts on trade and travel.

Anyone may contract Monkeypox and people at highest risk are those in close contact with a person who has Monkeypox. As of late August, there were more than 44,000 Monkeypox cases reported around the world.

MCC’ers have a long history of serving as leaders, advocates and allies during epidemics and pandemics where stigma plays a major role. During the first forty years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, MCC witnessed how the response to a disease is too often based on the identity of the infected person. For example, in the United States, HIV/ADS has disproportionately affected communities of color, gay men, bisexual men and transgender people. During COVID, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) populations have been disproportionately affected, and unequal access to health care caused delays in preventing the spread of the disease. Monkeypox affects some of the same groups, especially gay and bisexual men. MCC spoke out in the past and we must speak out now.

God is greater than HIV/AIDS.

God is greater than Covid.

God is greater than Monkeypox.

As people of faith we are called to be involved in public health strategies that ensure no one is marginalized. MCC is committed to activism in equalizing access to health care in every setting where our spiritual communities are found and whatever the structure used for delivery of medical services. All MCC churches are empowered and encouraged to provide information in non-judgmental ways that focus on healing. More specifics of Monkeypox are listed below.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States, people more likely to get monkeypox include:

• People who have been identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with monkeypox
• People who are aware that one of their sexual partners in the past 2 weeks has been diagnosed with monkeypox
• People who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known monkeypox
• People whose jobs may expose them to orthopox viruses

The MCC Elders urge MCC congregations to provide care for community members by being aware of monkeypox symptoms (from the CDC):

People with monkeypox

• get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butthole) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and backache
• Headache
• Respiratory symptoms (e.g. sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
• You may experience all or only a few symptoms
• Sometimes, people have flu-like symptoms before the rash.
• Some people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms.
• Others only experience a rash.
• Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

If you have a new or unexplained rash or other symptoms...

• Avoid close contact, including sex or being intimate with anyone, until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider.
• If you don’t have a provider or health insurance, visit a public health clinic near you.
• When you see a healthcare provider, wear a mask, and remind them that this virus is circulating in the area.

MCC'ers are encouraged to contact their local public health office for Monkeypox updates. See the CDC's frequently asked questions at this link: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/faq.html#