Since May 2022, there has been an outbreak of mpox (previously called monkeypox) among queer and trans people in large cities around the world. At the start of the outbreak, we convened queer and trans experts in clinical medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, virology, activism, policy, marketing, and communications to join the RESPND-MI Study Team and Reference Group. Together, we initiated RESPND-MI, an anonymous, online survey that collected information of the social and spatial networks connecting queer and trans people in New York City. The aim was to identify places and groups of people to prioritize interventions to slow the spread of mpox.

Consultation

We developed a plan to rapidly consult with individuals and organizations interested in health service delivery for LGBTQ people. As a result of conducting these consultations, we were asked to hold a regular meeting to update participants on the epidemiology of mpox and to coordinate action. We named the group the RESPND-MI LGBTQ+ Community Forum, a weekly meeting open to the public. This became a problem-solving space where participants collaborated to produce a wide variety of resources, including health education materials, policy briefs, and resource locators. About 80 people — including party promoters, health care providers, journalists, and people living with mpox — attended the Community Forum each week from June 2022 to September 2022. 

Innovation and Rigor

To maintain anonymity, we developed and implemented a novel survey methodology and online tool that allows participants to share data related to the locations where they had contact with others. We had more than 2,000 participants from August to October 2022. Collected data were shared with health departments to shape outreach activities. Key findings were shared at IAS 2023, the 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science in Australia. Additionally, we documented our methodology in an Opinion for PLOS Global Public Health. 

Creative Communications

In collaboration with a marketing agency, we developed a campaign that communicates clearly about mpox and our study, drawing inspiration for the campaign’s creative direction from the emojis that queer and trans people use online for talking about sex. The campaign won a national award.  

Press Coverage

The work associated with the RESPND-MI study and community forum appeared in over 50 news articles in prominent publications such as The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, National Public Radio, Time Magazine, New York Magazine, OUT Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, Bloomberg, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Wired, Science, Scientific American, MIT Technology Review, Teen Vogue, STAT, MSNBC, CBS News, and NBC News.