Kyle Sandilands has been slammed for making a hurtful comment about Monkeypox, referring to it live on radio as “the big gay disease floating around”.
A spokesman from the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations called Kyle’s comments “deeply unhelpful”.
“Comments such as this are not just hurtful, they are also deeply unhelpful,” the spokesman told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Right now, thousands of gay and bisexual men are doing the right thing by monitoring for Monkeypox symptoms, to look after their health and that of their partners. Over the next few months, we will be asking these men to come forward to be vaccinated.
“When people hear segments such as this, it inflames stigma and deters people from visiting healthcare clinics to be tested and vaccinated.
“We would be very happy to provide a private briefing for Mr Sandilands so that he can play a constructive role in the national Monkeypox response,” the organisation added.
Sandilands was speaking to his co-hosts about whether he wants those visiting his new born son to be vaccinated. “What about me, do I need the Monkeypox vaccine?” Brooklyn Ross asked, who is openly gay.
“No, we’re not letting any gays near him,” Sandilands responded on KiisFM’s Kyle and Jackie O show, who then suggested called Ross’s partner Damien to ask if he was worried about catching the viral disease. Homosexual and bi men have a much higher chance of contracting Monkeypox.
“The Monkeypox. The big gay disease floating around, it’s only the gays getting it. Are you worried about getting it?” Sandilands asked Damien.
“No, not at all,” Damien responded. Sandilands then asked if Damien had seen “the big dirty scabs that everyone [who contacts Monkeypox] gets?”
Kyle and Jackie-O then invited an medical expert onto the show to discuss the dangers associated with monkeypox.
“There is a small fatality rate, yes … Only a small rate, but there is,” he said, to which Sandilands responded; “Are you just dismissing it because they’re gay?”
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