Two of the 50 cases reported in North America are in Salt Lake County, Utah. The outbreak in Europe has been traced to “raves” in Barcelona and a “fetish” festival in Belgium. The World Health Organization says cases have mainly been identified amongst “men who have sex with men.” Monkeypox is normally limited to West and Central Africa. A small outbreak in Europe and an even smaller outbreak in North America may be spreading through sexual contact.
Just when men who used to be called gay have started to lose the stigma of HIV-AIDS, here comes monkeypox. State Farm informed agents it was canceling a collaboration with GenderCool, an organization promoting LGBTQ teaching via speaking events, mentorship programs, DEI/HR consulting, and advising for parents of transgender children.
Media reports and inquiries from customers and others about the company’s distribution of LGBTQ-themed books to teachers, community centers, and libraries, explicitly targeting children as young as kindergartners have forced the company to abandon the program. Niche marketing during June Pride Month has riled some of State Farm’s good neighbors.
