As the following of so-called “COVID vigilantes”–that is, social media accounts targeting and identifying queer folk attending large gatherings over the holidays in violation of COVID-19 safety guidelines–continues to grow, news magazine Good Morning America has posed an important question: when does calling out behavior go too far?
Reporter Gio Benitez highlighted the ongoing movement on January 5, in a special report that spotlighted several incidents involving queer people. That includes the now-infamous “COVID Titanic,” a floating circuit party in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that sank, scattering attendees into the sea. The report also featured the Gays Over COVID social media accounts, which highlights reckless partying on the part of gay men.
Related: People are obsessed with #GaysOverCovid, declaring it the Best New Drama of 2021
Gay comic Todd Masterson, one self-proclaimed COVID vigilante, defended calling out bad behavior in the report.
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“I think pointing out people doing bad things or people doing things that we consider wrong isn’t shame, it’s just accountability,” Masterson said.
Dr. Anne Charity Hudley, a Harvard-educated expert in culture and linguistics, however, cautioned against a rush to judgment or social vigilantism.
“Who’s place is it to be a judge, be a jury? Who’s place is it to protect people in society? Some of it may be justified, some of is not justified. The risk is in who gets to decide,” Charity Hudley mused.
Since its launch January 1, the Gays Over COVID has already netted more than 116,000 followers.
Charlie in Charge
I understand that with anything that looks like vigilantism there should be thoughtful reflection on the question “Are we doing harm?” It’s a great idea to pause and ask about who we benefit when we do this.
And in the case of gay guys massing to party without masks in close proximity it seems very, very warranted. The vigilantes in this case aren’t “outing” people as gay, those folks were attending gatherings where lost of photos and videos are taken. They are calling people out who are potentially doing real harm.
Pistolo
It’s not just exclusively massive parties and weddings, they share pictures from all kinds of gatherings and very often without definitive proof these events occurred over quarantine. So somebody could very, very easily be falsely accused or framed then harassed, doxed, harmed. And all these accounts are anonymous, btw. Let’s just add to all this the fact they make a HUGE POINT of saying these offenders gay so any homophobe in dire need of an excuse to scapegoat or gaybash has an “excuse” that, consciously or not, these “vigilantes” are enabling. So it’s extremely irresponsible and it’s kind of shocking how little people are willing to think that logic through simply because….memes? Bitchy tweets? It’s fun to them? That’s awful.
And it has to be said what would it look like if this were “BlacksOverCovid” or “LatinosOverCovid” or “JewsOverCovid”….would these accounts get the same rallying support? What is it about specifically singling out and shaming gay men is attractive to other gay men? Because I don’t see it happening elsewhere.
It sounds good in flashy sentence, on a headline but this whole thing isn’t smart. There are points to be made about privilege within the community but so long as they get mired in this, it’s not going to be productive.
Cam
So let’s see, employees of stores are being attacked by people who don’t want to wear masks, and planes are being forced to land because people are pulling off masks and attacking flight attendants who tell them to put them on…….but the REAL problem is accounts pointing out the hypocrisy and dangerous behavior.
As to little miss Harvard asking “Who is to judge?” Um, we are, if I see a photo of a pharmacist I know my grandmother goes to, partying maskless surrounded by thousands of other maskless people, then guess what, I’m going to judge, and make sure she doesn’t patronize his workplace again.
dougie
Amen! Preach it!
Jack Meoff
There are plenty of people in the gay community who should be getting called out for more that just partying during a pandemic. Our community is far to tolerant of some of it’s members self destructive behaviours pertaining to drug use, sex and anti social behaviours in public spaces. This would be the same crowd who are continuing to party during this crisis because they just don’t seem to be able to help themselves. Is it addiction or narcissism?
D_Bro
Unfortunately there are 360k+ Americans that will never get a chance to way in on this topic. And this is largely because of irresponsible people.
Many of these people died alone because relatives were not allowed to be present.
Many of us have not been able to see those we love (personally, I haven’t seen my granddaughter take her first steps or ride on the balance bike I got her for her birthday, etc.).
So, we all have EVERY right to call out all of these selfish pigs!!!
dougie
People who endanger the safety, health, and lives of other people SHOULD be exposed and shamed.