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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2002)
inly 11 ?nn? J— g — [27 Cushing spreads the word during Portland Pride 2002 there is very little data about the smoking rates of our population or what to do about it. I became a little obsessed with finding out why.” Cushing began interviewing leaders of the sexual minorities community, as well as “anyone I can grab for a few minutes," about queer smok ing habits. She soon had a strong consensus: “Many community leaders are very worried about the many young LGBTI people they see smoking. Almost everyone interviewed feels the LGBTI community has a problem with tobacco use and that they would be willing to help advo cate for resources to help us quit and prevent us from starting to use tobacco.” Why are smoking rates higher among gay and lesbian people than in the general popula tion? “One reason we smoke more,” Cushing says, “ is because the bar culture, with its empha sis on drinking and smoking, is where many young LGBTI folks go to feel comfortable when they are coming out.” A second reason stems from homophobia. “Because we are an oppressed group with all the accompanying stress,” Cushing says, “we are looking for stress releases, and the popular view of smoking is that it relaxes people.” Thirdly, the sexual minorities community has been heavily targeted by the tobacco indus try’s ad campaigns. “Smoking has been made to look...both tough and sexy— something rebels do— and what young LGBTI person has not wanted to identify as a tough and/or sexy rebel during those confusing adolescent years?” Cushing would like to counter these forces by starting a campaign of her own. Her project ideally would be modeled after the successful Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Pro gram— only hers would be specifically targeted to sexual minorities. 5 The compre- | h e n s i v e 3 s t at ewi de g | program, which is being eye- balled as a national It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it Drivers wanted. model, fights tobacco use by prevent ing kids from smoking, helping peo ple quit and protecting people from secondhand smoke. It includes local likely to take care of ourselves and, when we are coalitions, school-based programs, the Oregon sick, less likely to seek medical attention. Again, Quit Line, and public awareness and education. those of us with the ability, knowledge and free The sexual minorities community “gets little dom to help folks stay healthier longer really dribs and drabs of attention— a sponsorship ought to step up to the plate. Plus, 1 love the here, some materials there— but nothing on a color and vibrancy of our community. We have consistent, ongoing basis,” Cushing says. “That already lost too many. I am absolutely commit needs to change.” She would like to “insist that ted to keeping as many of us as possible around Oregon’s tobacco prevention program begin as long as possible!” treating our population like any other diverse Ultimately, Cushing’s motivation for activism group— a diverse group with a high smoking is borne of gratitude— gratitude for her ability to rate!" give back to the communities that support her. “I Cushing emphasizes that the first step in bat feel that although I am a member of our LGBT1 tling tobacco is gathering information about the community,” she says, “I am also a part of the larg smoking habits of queer people. This opportuni er community of people here in the metro area, ty will begin this month, when a pilot question and I do want to give back a little.” about sexual orientation will be included on the She has made community involvement a pri Oregon Department of Human Services survey. ority in her life because she simply enjoys it: “I “This will have great implications for lots of pro can’t imagine giving my life energy away to grams that need information about our popula make money for someone else, since 1 don’t tion but will really help us in tobacco control,” absolutely have to— I would rather spend that Cushing says. energy making things better for people, includ But her passion for activism doesn’t stop ing myself! The other reason is that I can, so I there. She also helps organize the Race for the think I should. Those of us with as many privi Cure, sponsored by the Portland and southwest leges as 1 have had in my life really ought to give Washington affiliate of the Susan G. Komen others a leg up.” J H Breast Cancer Foundation. While 25 percent of the proceeds fund C aitlin SMITH is a free-la n ce w riter and scientist national research, the rest is dedicated to fight in Portland. ing breast cancer locally, funding free mammo grams and educational programs. As Cushing says, “This is a wonderful opportunity to give time, energy and/or money in a way that helps people right here in Oregon and southwest Washington.” Cushing, who serves as race committee chairwoman, hopes for a record turnout Sept. 15, calling it “one of the most moving, powerful events we can participate in every year. More than 42,000 people registered to walk or run last year— and you can’t imagine the beauty and power of that many men, women and chil dren all united behind those who have suffered and survived breast cancer and those who have lost loved ones to the disease.” Perhaps Cushing’s deep appreciation for activism emerged from the contrast between the sexual minorities community and her upbring ing in Tulsa, Okla. “My mother was a liberal, feminist Democrat psychologist in the midst of a bunch of Republican engineers working for the oil company. It was not a good fit!” She was not aware she was a lesbian until she was about 35 and hadn’t “heard the words gay or lesbian until college.... I somehow always leaned to the left— and left Tulsa as soon as I could.” Cushing’s love of the sexual minorities com munity also underlies her passion for supporting queer health: “I believe we are an underserved, The busy activist attends a Race for the Cure underrecognized group of people. 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