Manchester councillor raises fears monkeypox may lead to repeat of HIV and AIDS 'vilification' of gay men

The 'villification' of gay people in the HIV and AIDS crisis must never happen again, a Manchester councillor has said - as more monkeypox cases are found among gay and bisexual men, although none have been in the north west. Labour councillor Pat Karney urged the town hall to challenge disinformation about the disease, which has seen 71 cases identified across the country so far.

He raised concerns that the narrative about gay people perpetuated during the HIV and AIDS pandemic will be repeated as news of monkeypox emerges. Manchester's health scrutiny committee was told the virus was 'endemic' in parts of Western Central Africa, but is now spreading to other countries.

There have been no cases of monkeypox in the north west to date, but data suggests gay and bisexual have been particularly affected by the spread so far.

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Coun Karney said: "The name itself is scary and excites anxiety and attention. Many of us have been through this journey before. It was about monkeys and animals in Africa, gay people, HIV and AIDS. We have to learn the lessons from that period in terms of the linkages made on what is basically a health issue.

"Gay people were vilified and targeted as carriers of diseases from Africa in the early days. If anyone saw Russell Davies' It's A Sin , even large sections of the medical establishment pulled away from treating gay people in a proper and professional manner.

"Never again. Let us learn. This council has to be upfront about challenging any of the scaremongering, any of the targeting, any of the vilification of any of our communities.

"It's got to challenge the disinformation. We live in a disinformation age.