Just out., February 07, 2003, Page 7, Image 7

fehruary 7 . 2ÛÛ3 »
P R H out
In this study based on national survey data,
white adults with a btxly mass index of 23 to 25
and African American adults with a BMI of 23
to 30 lived the longest. The findings quantify
the health risks associated with obesity, espe­
cially for young and middle-aged adults.
Because about two-thirds of the U .S. adult pop­
ulation is overweight or obese, the findings
“confirm that obesity is a major public health
problem that appears to lessen life expectancy
markedly, especially among individuals in
younger age groups.”
Those who are curious about their BMI can
find more information at nhlbisupport.com/
bmi/bmicalc.htm. Obesity is a serious health
problem and should not be discarded as a mere
prejudice of esthetics.
M argaret B aker , RN
Portland
tr a n s itio n s
Lou Harrison, 1917-2003
L
ou Harrison, often cited as one of the most
original and influential composers in the
United States, died Feb. 2 in Indianapolis on his
way to Ohio for a festival of his music. He was 85.
Bom May 14, 1917, in Portland, he grew up in
the Bay Area. He moved to Aptos, Calif., in 1967.
Harrisons avant-garde 1940s music brought
him success and a seat in the American Acade­
my of Arts and Letters. His music, while thor­
oughly American and personal, drew on Eastern
sounds including alternative tunings and innov­
ative and extensive uses of percussion.
During his long and varied career, he
explored dance, Asian music, tuning systems
and universal languages and actively champi­
oned political causes ranging from pacifism to
gay rights. In addition to his prolific musical out­
put, he was also a skilled painter, calligrapher,
essayist, critic, poet and instrument builder.
His partner of 33 years, William Colvig, died
in 2000.
Morris Kight, 1919-2003
C
ay civil rights leader Morris Kight, a found­
ing father of the mcxlem gay rights move­
ment who helped organize and form the West
C oasts first Gay Pride parade in 1970, died
Jan. 19. He was 83.
“Morris was a visionary leader and pioneer in
gay civil rights,” said Elizabeth Birch, Human
Rights Campaign executive director. “He started
a paradigm shift in this country’s understanding of
the gay community, moving from a place of deep-
seated fear and intolerance toward a culture based
in pride, mutual understanding and tolerance.”
Kight helped found the Gay and Lesbian
Community Service Center of Los Angeles,
now known as the L.A. Gay &. Lesbian Center,
which helped galvanize California’s sexual
minorities community. His work through the
years also included protesting a variety of social
issues affecting the queer community and cru­
sading in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
He is survived hy his partner, Roy, and their
two daughters.
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Sarah Pettit, 1966-2003
S
arah Pettit died from complications related
to lymphoma Jan. 22. She was 36.
Pettit had a brief but distinguished career in
publishing, helping found Out magazine in
1992, only four years after graduating from Yale,
and joining Newsweek in 1999 as senior editor of
the Arts and Entertainment section. She was
aiso instrumental in helping create the style and
concept for HRC Quarterly.
“Sarah was a tremendous example of what
the very best and brightest in our community
have to offer,” said Elizabeth Birch, Human
Rights Campaign executive director. “As a les­
bian in the publishing industry, she helped to
break down walls and huild understanding. She
made great strides forward in bridging the chasm
between the gay community and the main­
stream press.”
Monique UUittig, 193 i-2003
F
rench lesbian feminist Monique Wittig died
of a heart attack Jan. 3 in Tucson, where she
taught at University of Arizona. She was 67.
As a founding leader in the French feminist
movement, her literary and theoretical works
were recognized as essential contributions to
feminist thought in Europe and the United
States and to the emerging movement for les­
bian and gay rights. Her novels— including
1969’s Les Guenlleres, 1973’s The Lesbian Body
and 1975’s Lesbian Peoples: Materials for a Dic­
tionary— combine a sensitivity to the nuances
of language and style with a powerful illustra­
tion of her philosophy of lesbian materialism, a
theoretical position she set forth in a series of
essays collected in 1992’s The Straight Mind, a
term she coined.
Wittig is survived by her partner, Sande Zeig;
mother, Maria Wittig; sister, Gilberte Wittig;
and niece, Dominique Samson.
W hen you buy or sell a home with me, you'll know your dollars
are helping support a greater cause. I contribute at least 10% of
my earnings to community and environmental organizations.
Millynn James
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Broker, Graduate ReaItoi Institute
ARR: Accredited Buyer's Repiescr t itive
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1 . 800 . 825.9948
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