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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2005)
DECEMBER 2, 2005 Statewide Grassroots Activism Spurred on by BRO Not enough respondents identified as transgender to provide adequate statistics about their tobacco use. activists and people interested in achieving civil rights Additionally, statistics on queer youth tobacco use are for all citizens have been and planning throughout the state. In the state capital, activists with the Salem Basic Rights Action Team are busy planning for a community forum featuring BRO executive Roey Thorpe director in early December. Plans are also not available because "Tobacco kills more people from the LGBTQ communities than hate crimes, alcohol, 'accidents, suicide and HIV/AtDS combined." under way to form a Basic Rights Action Team the Oregon Healthy Teen Survey, which measures youth risk behaviors among eighth- and I Ith- graders, does not ask about the respondent’s sexual orientation. “These high smoking rates translate into increased risk for smok —R.E* Szego in Lincoln County to create ing-related illnesses like cancer, emphysema and ---------------------------------------------------------------- German Formula Inc heart disease,” said R.E. change on the local level and organize to elect fair- Szego, queer tobacco prevention coordinator with minded local and legislative leaders who will work for Breathe Free. “In fact, tobacco kills more people from queer equality. The Washington County Basic Rights the LGBTQ communities than hate crimes, alcohol, Action Team is also busy planning a “Roey on the accidents, suicide and HIV/A1DS combined. The risks Road” community forum. In addition, the team is of smoking affect not just smokers, but our friends, working to build a stronger base of support in the family and community' members.” storisi/ Ou r professionals unii arrange your delivery Szego added that Oregon has not collected enough Hillsboro area. Other events throughout December include: data on transgender people to know exactly how high • Dec. 5: BRO’s State of the State Eugene/ the smoking rate is within this population. It can be Springfield Community Forum. inferred that transgender people also smoke at excep • Dec. 10: Roey on the Road community forum tionally high rates because of the high stress that they Don Duncan owner face because of discrimination and violence, limited in Salem. • Dec. 10: An evening reception featuring Thorpe hosted by Jennifer French in Florence. • Dec. 11: Roey on the Road community forum (if any) health care access and high rates of other substance abuse. Teleflora “One of the reasons the LGB rates are so high is (503) 642-9992 1-800-356-1884 Aloha Market Centre 20455 SW TV Highway www.westsideflorist.net because the tobacco industry uses its marketing in Florence. • Dec. 12: Roey on the Road community forum muscle to openly target LGB communities,” said Szego. "The smoking rates reflect the effectiveness of in Washington County. • Dec. 12: An evening reception with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in Portland. the industry’s marketing campaigns. Tobacco mar keting exploits the effects of living in a society where For more information about these upcoming we face discrimination due to homophobia and events, check the Basic Rights Oregon Web site, transphobia, such as a sense of alienation and daily www.basicrights.org. life stresses. Does Bob really want a new fondue pot? Does Aunt Gaii need another reindeer sweater? “Oregon’s consistently high smoking rates for LGB Queers Smoke Nearly Twice as Much as General Population communities demonstrate how critical outreach is in countering the industry's efforts,” said Szego. Breathe Free, the Oregon LGBTQ Coalition Against Tobacco, announced Nov. 23 the results of a new study Genders Blend showing that more than 38.5 percent of the state’s les A group of trans and intergender people tackled bians, gays and bisexuals smoke. This figure is nearly the tough topic “Being Differently Gendered in a double the current state average smoking rate of 19 9 Continued on Page 10 percent, as reported by the Oregon Department of Human Services. “Across the country and certainly here in Oregon, smoking rates for LGB com Save your money. Buy a house. munities are consistently high er than smoking rates of the general population,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Mel Kohn. “Oregon began tracking LGB smoking rates in 2003 to w ■ Itti " ■ T ■ 1 ■ ■ ■I V begin the important work of reversing this trend.” ■ e The new data show that adult lesbians smoke at a rate 5 S 3 of 34.3 percent, compared to 17.9 percent of women within the general population. 503.287.9370 bridgetownrealty.com Among adult gay men, it was found that 44.4 percent smoke. This figure is more than twice the smoking rate of all Oregon men, who smoke 9 at a rate of 21.4 percent. With the assistance of Basic Rights Oregon, meeting JUStjOUt A Genderblenz participant socializes at TIRC BRI DG ETOWN r REALTY 1
