An Instagram account called @GaysOverCovid has been publicly exposing gay men who’ve been brazenly defying the advice of public health officials during the pandemic.
The account, which first appeared last summer, ramped up its efforts over the holidays, posting photos from superspreader Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve circuit events, and images and videos from that gay cruise that just sunk off the coast of Mexico.
Over the weekend, an angry member of the #GaysOverCovid crowd took to Facebook to offer $500 to whoever could identify the person running the account and ruining their fun.
“We are offering a $500 incentive for anyone who can help us identify the mastermind behind IG @GaysOverCovid,” the person announced. “Let it be known that we are coming for them.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
So far, whoever is responsible for the account has not come forward or been outed, but they have accumulated over 91,000 followers and counting.
Here’s what Twitter’s been saying about the whole thing…
I have become OBSESSED with the #gaysovercovid drama and need to really step away from the laptop. But I can’t… pic.twitter.com/eUxAR83hFR
— David Cochrane (@davidcochrane) January 3, 2021
I need a 3 part @netflix documentary on the #GaysOverCovid / #PuertoVallarta drama right now!!!!!!
— RONΔN (@ronannclayton) January 3, 2021
#gaysovercovid needs to be preserved and protected in the gay Smithsonian
— Julian Isidro (@JulianIsidroNJ) January 4, 2021
Someone please nominate #GaysOverCovid reporting for a Pulitzer Prize. pic.twitter.com/E96wrTOh1u
— Clif (@Texden1975) January 1, 2021
Damn #GaysOverCovid is going Nancy Grace on em! Scruff receipts, grindr locations and venmo histories. We love an exposé
— Stream bidi bidi bom bom (@BossofMario) December 31, 2020
#GaysOverCovid has been my favorite internet drama of 2021
— It’s Josh Schoettmer (@JoshSchoettmer) January 2, 2021
They’re only offering $500 to expose #GaysOverCovid because they need to save $100 for coke. #StimulusChecksNOW #GaysOverKarens pic.twitter.com/BQp5OJDfhO
— RudePaul (@RudePaul90) January 3, 2021
#GaysOverCovid IG is actually run by Julie Andrews.
— Imani Denson-Pittman (@RaptorsRock) January 3, 2021
One of my favorite activities is watching how fast someone makes their social media private when they get exposed #GaysOverCovid
— Pat Perrault (@Patontheback3) January 1, 2021
This #GaysOverCovid IG is WILD pic.twitter.com/F9P4JpJM3v
— JWalk (@TVTalkWithJWalk) January 4, 2021
Currently living for #GaysOverCovid tea *takes a sip*
— Castor Reigns (@CastorReigns) January 4, 2021
Some people picked a bad year to not yet grow out of the circuit gay phase. The tea and the LGBT Police are piping hot! The shade, shoulders, and selfishness are frigid cold… ☕️ 🐸 #PV #gaysovercovid
— Kyle Buchandermann (@kyle_michael_b) January 1, 2021
So who would have thought 2021 would start out with the #gaycivilwar. The #GaysOverCovid is pure magic.
— Brent (@Brentj2010) January 4, 2021
Now, how about some memes?
Related: This open letter to those gay partygoers aboard that sinking ship has gone absolutely viral
Cam
Since the people who made the offer of $500.00 to expose the owner of the account, did so on their public account, why blackout their screename? They had no problem with exposing themselves publicly.
Also, all of the people being exposed, are only being exposed because they keep posting all of this stuff on their own accounts. LOL!
dilemmax
The same person offering the $500 is now running a gofundme to avoid being cancelled. I kid you not.
Cam
@dilemmax Our eyes cannot roll enough!
Pistolo
This is all-around toxic.
I don’t think I have to explain why it’s awful to not abide by social distancing guidelines. Duh, the guys in Puerto Vallarta are idiots. But GaysOverCovid is just inciting so much, now they’re practically doxing eachother. And it’s entertainment? This is entertaining? We just meme the s-t out of it and we’ll be doing our civic duty? Worse, it’s just gays bashing other gays. This is ignorance battling pseudo-activism and it’s “entertainment”.
I know nurses who nearly died from Covid symptoms after being deployed. They didn’t have the privilege of vacationing but they also aren’t saving lives by engaging in pettiness on Instagram. We are so hopeless.
Cam
Just so I have it clear. An account that merely publicizes posts that these people are ALREADY POSTING ON THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS is somehow just as bad as the people going around and spreading a deadly airborne virus during a worldwide pandemic?
They’re posting this on their public accounts, they don’t get to cry victim now because people are calling them out on their dangerous and thoughtless behavior.
Donston
This is why I been stopped paying attention to social media outrage. This isn’t about personal responsibility. Nor is it about some deeper conversation concerning sociology and psychology. It’s about entertainment, pettiness, self-righteousness, internalized homophobia, insecurities, boredom. It’s all-around embarrassing. Yes, all of it. And yes, it is homophobic to specifically target “queers” having big gathering while ignoring everyone else. I don’t care how you frame it. It’s homophobic.
Pistolo
@Cam First of all, GaysOverCovid doesn’t post dates or definitive proof these photos were taken during quarantine so I have no idea if these people are actually guilty of anything. Secondly, they’re going viral so they have 5x, 10x, maybe even 20x the following of any average account. So, theoretically, if someone did nothing wrong then they could be being massively harassed right now. Also, are gays in particular massive transgressors? Why just gay men? It’s just inviting alllll kinds of people to be homophobic towards these people and have an “excuse” for it. Now people can just scapegoat those darned partying gays because gay people are making it seem OK. There is so much potential for some really rotten s-t to come from this.
But you won’t read this response, likely. You don’t care, they don’t care, Queerty doesn’t care. Let’s just be the snake eating it’s own tail, why don’t we? Whatever gets clicks. And hey, let’s KEEP just saying “gays” generally so we all are stigmatized with either being the bitchy masses or circuit boys. Why don’t the rest of us just bear the burden of both.
DrJones
As an NP working on the “front lines” let me say that those (including partying gays) are a slap in the face and they deserve to be shamed. They aren’t being jailed, they are just being called out for their behavior that is completely contrary to public health mandates and behavior that likely contributes to community spread of these most dangerous virus in a century that KILLS people. There is nothing wrong with trying to alter people’s behavior when it contributes to deaths. This is a PANDEMIC and people act like nothing precludes them from doing what they want even though it has ramifications for others’ lives.
Cam
@Pistolo
When you post a screenshot of their instagram it has the date on it. But nice try.
Luke
@Donston how is this homophobic? It’s gays calling out other gays. And it’s not like straight people were not called out too before (all those MAGA-Karens who are not wearing masks for example). Just because they are gay they should not be shamed or what?
I’m sad that fellow gay men are dragging the entire gay community through the dirt. I am talking about the guys who went to PV or did other partying, while the majority are following the rules and stay home.
Their reckless behaviour is not to be tolerated at all. Those party-people are mostly influencers, who should be positive examples and who are even idols for some. But instead they completely disregard any rules to slow the the spread of Covid. Extremely bad examples for their followers if you ask me. And they are the ones who are putting the LGBT community in a bad light, not the ones who uncover those scandals.
Toofie
Expose these entitled morons. The worst that can happen is they lose followers or get some snide remarks. It’s even more galling when healthcare professionals are the ones “partying”. Screw them
IAMSONICE
What! People are all up in arms over some social media bullshit. These dumb ass gays who traveled during a pandemic should be ashamed of themselves. And just in case they aren’t ashamed, we will shame them.
The entitled bitches above crying gay cannibalism are just entitled losers who probably talk out of both sides of their mouth. Do as I say not as I do… or… it’s not bad if I only did it one time… mfer yes it was bad and yes you deserve whatever you get.
RandomGuy
Have they called out the dumbass nurse who took the first dose of the vaccine (on camera of course) then took off to party with his fellow covidiots in Mexico before getting the second shot? I loath the idea of being on Zuck’s radar again but I need an Instagram Account!!!
Cam
Yes they did.
EatMopWho
I’m pretty sure the $500 to expose #GaysOverCovid was provided by Aaron Schock or a muscle gay who has recently sucked Aaron’s peepee (or perhaps vice versa) or government funds Aaron had lying around left over from when he was in the House. All speculation from my own imagination but I am living for the drama. ))((
malerntogo
I have a mental picture of a boat full of Gay guys, all on ecstasy, molly or both. As the ship is sinking they are thinking this is all just part of the drugs they are on.
Donston
I’m just over social media outrage. It can easily veer into toxic territory, where a bunch of embittered and insecure people get to piling on. It’s almost never productive. I’m also over being outraged about this particular topic. People have been having their big parties all quarantine and will continue to do so. It’s not right. It’s irresponsible. But this is a dead ass horse topic. And once, specifically targeting “circuit parties” and looking to expose “queers” is homophobic. I don’t care how righteous you think you’re being, how you think it’s cool because those guys had no business being at the party. The shit is still problematic and homophobic. Period.
Cam
Let’s see, MeToo got a bunch of long time rapists fired or convicted. Black Lives Matter exposed multiple cops that were illegally assaulting or murdering people, this is exposing people who could infect and kill other people, outrage over Trump encouraged voters to get out in spite of voter suppression activities.
Yes, certainly unproductive.
Donston
Cam, you are so stuck in your Ivory Tower that you constantly end up saying problematic, ignorant and often just incorrect shit.
BLM and MeToo ain’t got nothing to do with this. And trying to compare those things to this is pretty offense to black people and victims of abuse or assault.
Most of this isn’t about making anything better or wanting people to be responsible. We’ve moved past that. Most of this is about gossip, superiority and self-righteousness. While creating a space that specifically targets “queers” is homophobic. There’s no way to make that not homophobic. I don’t care how you frame it.
Cam
@Donston
Let’s see, who is in their ivory tower. The one who is attacking the idea of MeToo, Black Lives Matter, the exposure of anti-LGBTQ bigots, or the one stating that exposing bigotry is a good thing.
Look in a mirror. Harvey Winesteins victims may be nothing to you, but I’m sure the movement that exposed him wasn’t “Silly” or “Meaningless” to them.
But look, I get it, your postings here are extreme versions of self important navel gazing. You constantly state things as fact with no proof and sell your opinions as if they are established fact. The very definition of an ivory tower.
Donston
I am black. I am a victim of abuse. And I feel that you comparing those movements to this is shortsighted and offensive. And I’m sure many would agree. But you probably don’t care. All you care about is feeling that you’re in the “right”.
Most people on social media aren’t even taking this seriously. They see it as a big joke, as some gossip, as some entertainment. While creating a space specifically to expose and shame “gay” things is inherently homophobic and opens the door for homophobia. There is no way around that. If it were about exposing all big gatherings, they’d be one thing. But specifically targeting a demo is inherently hateful and problematic.
You are continuously obsessed with what you think is “right” way to be and do things that you don’t see how problematic you are. You spout on about “LGBTQ issues” when you don’t even know all that much about sexuality, gender or the orientation spectrum. You don’t see the nuances of any situation. You just automatically attack or post something incredibly self-righteous and cliched filled.
Trying to latch BLM and MeToo onto this in order to give yourself some weight just further highlights that you’re not the sensitive and knowing soul your think you are.
Cam
@Donston
Interesting, so instead of responding to the fact that you mocked the social media issues that put men like Harvey Weinstein in jail, you tried to somehow deflect from your words by running down a list of which groups you’re a member of.
So I point out that your posts are self centered and from an ivory tower, and you respond by making the next post all about yourself. At least you’re consistent.
Once again, putting racist violent cops in jail, bringing rapists like Harvey Weinstein in jail and exposing Trump’s criminality over social media is the benefit, so far you haven’t provided what the problem with this is. But again, you certainly have spoken a lot about yourself.
Donston
Where did I mock anything connected to MeToo or Harvey? I said that connecting GaysOverCovid to BLM or MeToo is misguided. I said many of the things guiding this “movement” and many of the people connected to this aren’t driven by justice or responsibility. They’re driven self-righteousness and gossip. I said that when you create a space that’s specifically about targeting and exposing “gay” things then you’re creating a homophobic space. And there’s no other way to frame it, even if what you think what you’re doing is “right”.
My points aren’t difficult to grasp, whether you agree with them or not. But keep on doing whatever you think you’re doing
Cam
@Donston
Except you didn’t say that, you stated you were over social media outrage, etc.
And your attempt at points aren’t difficult to grasp. I just don’t agree with them. You attempted to belittle the entire movement, then when called out, backpedaled and now tried to change what you stated.
Nothing new about that, better to just admit you mistated the first post. Perhaps you should explore the reason that this simple action didn’t occur to you.
Donston
There is no point in trying to play nice with you, because for you every topic is only about you feeling superior or victimized. You’re not even engaging with any of the multiple points I made. Instead, as usual, you’re caught up in self-righteousness. It didn’t even occur to me to see BLM or MeToo as social media outrage. Those things extended well beyond social media and had genuine purpose. This is more about getting off on “exposing” people and on gossip. And most importantly, it’s framework is homophobic. There’s no way to make that right no matter how much you try.
Donston
But since you’re a fan of taking every topic and turning it into a way for you to feel better than everyone else, I’ll abide.
You are completely dismissive towards every opinion that doesn’t completely align with yours (I at least try to respectfully engage unless someone’s being an asshat).
You engage with almost every obvious troll just to feel superior.
You act sensitive and understanding. Yet, you’ve tried to shame people out of the closet, not realizing that that’s almost as problematic as people who try to shame people to stay in the closet. You think it’s perfectly fine to broadly make assumptions about people’s sexualities and orientations. You have been entirely dismissive towards fluidity and the orientation spectrum no matter how many people say that they’ve experienced degrees fluidity or are in the spectrum. You say a litany of completely ignorant shit (I recall you claiming that Bi’s dong cheat. So, a guy cheating on his gf or wife with a dude must be “gay”).
Almost everything you post is about shaming people or pushing identity politics. (This is yet another topic where everything you have to say is about shaming others and feeling superior). Otherwise, you say nothing of value. You are almost as bad as the people you claim to be against. Yet, you’re so far up your own ass you don’t get any of that.
iggy6666
Well done. Cams here for himself and himself only. Crying about trolls and screen names the past decade…..
Psssst! Cam/Dcguy/Sweetie you’re not a comment moderator, please get a life. If Giancarlo1985 can, so can you! THANKS ?
Cam
@Donston
Your first post was to dismiss outrage over social media. You got called out, and then tried to list your identity to deflect from what you said. That didn’t work so you again tried to deflect from the topic and make it all about yourself. All the while dismissing the BLM and MEtoo movements that were the definition of social media outrage.
I get it, you are at that stage of life where you are far more enraged about being called out than you are interested in the facts on the ground. Perhaps reread and try to figure some things out.
Social media outrage is the reason Weinstein is in jail and all voting locations in black neighborhoods weren’t allowed to be shut down.