Petrelis Files

Castro Gay Bar Owner Dies of Swine Flu

I extend my condolences to the friends and family of Doug Murphy, at this sad news that was reported today on SFist.com.

Let's hope his death is not used by the media to write alarming stories about sex-crazed, disease-ridden and disease-spreading sick homos of the Castro and gay communities.

You remember the scary coverage in January 2008 about flesh-eating bacteria infecting the neighborhood and the demonizing of gay men? It can always happen again and when it does we all better be ready to tamp those stories and alarm down.

From SFist.com:

In a truly sad note this morning, Doug Murphy, co-owner of Moby Dick and, most recently, Blackbird, died Friday due to complications from the H1N1 virus, better known as swine flu. He was 41 years old, and was in Palm Springs at the time of his infection, and he had not been traveling abroad, according to business partner Shawn Vergara.