LGBTQ+ health centers lead fight against mpox and stigma nationwide
June 13, 2025
The LGBTQ+ community played a pivotal role in stopping the 2022 mpox outbreak in the U.S., not only by embracing safer practices but through the frontline response of community health centers. Clinics like Whitman-Walker and Howard Brown provided affirming, comprehensive care that built trust and encouraged vaccination and early treatment. As mpox reemerges globally, their role remains essential. Yet these centers now face devastating funding threats amid proposals to slash federal support. Safeguarding LGBTQ+ health means sustaining these clinics, investing in tailored care, and confronting stigma—not turning away. Community health centers save lives and should be fortified, not defunded.
In the summer of 2022, as mpox began its spread in the United States, the LGBTQ+ community mobilized swiftly. Despite being disproportionately impacted, community members lined up for vaccines, practiced harm reduction, and led public health efforts that helped contain the outbreak. At the heart of that response were LGBTQ+-focused community health centers—like Whitman-Walker in Washington, D.C., and Howard Brown Health in Chicago—that delivered trusted, affirming, and culturally competent care to those most at risk.
These clinics didn’t just provide vaccinations. They created safe spaces where patients felt seen, respected, and understood—where gender-neutral forms, diverse staff, and inclusive messaging fostered trust. That trust proved invaluable. Patients sought early treatment, adhered to prevention strategies, and engaged in long-term care, dramatically slowing mpox’s spread.
Today, as mpox continues to surge abroad and show signs of resurgence in some regions, the model of care delivered by these health centers remains a critical defense. Yet the very institutions that proved instrumental are under threat. Proposed federal budget cuts would eliminate essential programs supporting LGBTQ+ health—including NIH grants, CDC divisions, and Medicaid resources that keep these clinics operating.
Defunding LGBTQ+ health care at this juncture isn’t just shortsighted—it’s dangerous. These clinics are not just crisis responders; they are cornerstones of equitable care, providing HIV prevention, mental health services, and gender-affirming treatment to underserved populations. Their impact reaches far beyond viral containment; they help address the social determinants of health that shape real-world outcomes.
Preserving these institutions is a public health imperative. We must support them with funding, advocacy, and policy protection. Their success during the mpox outbreak is a testament to their importance—and a warning of what’s at stake if we let them falter. Community health centers are essential, and they must be protected.