You understand what they are saying: Watch out for “breaking” information on X.
It’s not at all times what it appears.
“BREAKING: Pete Buttigieg reveals that he’s HIV-positive” learn an Oct. 1 X publish that garnered one million views.
This declare about Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is fully invented, however stereotypes about homosexual males and HIV are a part of a a lot older playbook.
(Screenshot of X publish)
The self-proclaimed parody account @Breaking911OnX shared the declare. The account bio reads “Parody artist. If you happen to fell for my bait, you owe me eight {dollars}.” The account commonly posts unsubstantiated claims. For some, the joke is apparent, similar to this one from Oct. 1: “BREAKING: J.D. Vance spits on palms earlier than shaking Tim Walz’s hand at vice presidential debate.”
Buttigieg, one of the crucial distinguished brazenly homosexual U.S. politicians, made no such announcement about contracting HIV.
Nonetheless, the declare continued to be shared by giant accounts on X together with Stew Peters, a conservative radio host whom now we have fact-checked for sharing misinformation.
HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus, is unfold by bodily fluids, mostly throughout unprotected intercourse or sharing drug injection gear. Left untreated, the virus could cause AIDS.
The virus started spreading within the U.S. within the early Eighties, largely amongst homosexual and bisexual males. Though anybody can contract HIV, the stigma for homosexual males persists in the present day.
Homosexual and bisexual males nonetheless stay at excessive threat for contracting HIV, however individuals can take many steps to stop an infection.
Don’t imagine the tweet about Buttigieg. That parody-originating declare is Pants on Fireplace!
