It's Been a Minute Poppers, the FDA, & a crackdown decades in the making
Mar 21, 2025
Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR's health policy correspondent, dives into the controversial topic of poppers, a popular party substance within the queer community. She discusses a recent claim of FDA raids on producers, sparking concerns about governmental overreach. The conversation examines the cultural significance of poppers and the misconceptions tied to their use, particularly around HIV/AIDS. With humor and critical insights, they address how regulatory actions affect LGBTQ+ identities and the importance of social connections amidst adversity.
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Poppers' Legal and Health Risks
- Poppers have existed in a legal gray zone for decades despite rising popularity and associated health risks.
- The FDA's interest in poppers may be linked to increased usage and poisonings, leading to crackdowns.
Debunked Popper-AIDS Myth Resurfaces
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly claimed poppers caused AIDS, a theory thoroughly debunked since the early 1980s.
- His views create fear given his current power as health secretary over federal health agencies.
Poppers Crackdown Targets Queer Culture
- Cracking down on poppers can function as targeting queer culture since poppers are deeply embedded there.
- Defending poppers clashes with respectability politics, complicating acceptance within and outside the queer community.