The Politics of Misinformation: How Health and Dating Conversations Are Changing
This work is political. With the potential impact of actions taken over the last two weeks—to people and communities I care about, to my work, to this field, to our livelihoods—it’s a delicate balance knowing what to share with the intention of informing versus fear-mongering.
Something that has been consistently on my mind over the last two weeks is the impact of misinformation, especially with the CDC data purge.
I have fought misinformation when it comes to herpes and STis for a decade.
I’ve fought it within myself, within the public, on social media, in my dating life, and even other professional spaces. We are entering an era where misinformation and hatred overpower education, science, and credible resources.
And it feels like it’s all going backward.
We need to prepare that having honest conversations about our health in our dating lives may be met with more resistance, willful ignorance, and misinformation.
Are there people like us out there that DO care, and who want to have open, honest conversations and actually unlearn the BS? Yes.
I’m not sharing this to dishearten you or discourage you from dating. But I think we need to be prepared for the long-lasting cultural impacts of what this means for our dating lives.
Specifically, efforts to make the STI conversation a mutual discussion.
I don’t have all the answers. All of this is so hard on those of us who value transparency, evidence-based approaches, and making a meaningful difference for the people and communities we serve.
I’m going to keep fighting, and I’m going to keep searching for answers and resources that can get us through this time.
Today I have a story up asking you what YOU need most right now.
I have directions l’d like to take us, and lots of ideas, but I really want to make sure that your voice is heard and l’m creating space for what this community needs most in this moment. So if you have a moment today, I would love to hear from you 🫶🏻