Health Authorities and the Media Failed to Effectively Warn Gay and Bi Men

"In their efforts to avoid stigmatizing the community, health authorities and the media failed to effectively warn gay and bi men," write @FakeDanSavage and @InaParkMD.

"Benjamin Ryan, a gay journalist, and Carlton Thomas, a gay doctor, risked cancellation — e.g., being yelled… pic.twitter.com/mW2j4e1IcS

— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) April 16, 2023

Thanks to @FakeDanSavage for the shout-out. This is a nice cap to a weekend that opened with...my being yelled at on Twitter! For doing my job as a reporter. I was even called a danger to society by @thrasherxy. 🤦‍♂️You find my mpox reporting here: https://t.co/Ogm5NK61fV. 3/

— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) April 16, 2023

In my mpox reporting, I prioritized directly and unsparingly informing gay men of their risks. I had no patience for people who said I should massage the truth so it would land more gently, as the CDC was wont to do. As I wrote for @WashingtonPost:
4/ https://t.co/1GqyDcYlrG

— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) April 16, 2023

I stand by counseling gay men to change their sexual behavior in the face of a public health emergency, parallel to Covid risk mitigation. I got huge flak for this oped. But research showed gays *did* change their behavior and even practiced abstinence. 5/https://t.co/FXmvAvh1Fv

— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) April 16, 2023

My response to Steven Thrasher's defamation is here: @thrasherxy 6/ https://t.co/huPvmrYOly

— Benjamin Ryan (@benryanwriter) April 16, 2023