Network Spotlight Special!

 

 

The Network for LGBT Health Equity 

Bragging about our awesome Network folks…typical. 

 

 

 

There has been a lot of exciting things happening in the Network recently, and we wanted to take a minute to spotlight four amazing folks and what they’ve been up to!

 

Ani Koch,  previously the Director of Programs at MN Rainbow Health Initiative, stepped down this month after four years working for the advancement of health equity in LGBT communities in Minnesota and the nation.

Ani will be starting a new position at Blue Cross Blue Shield Center for Protection. Congratulations Ani, and good luck!

 

 

 

Trudie Jackson, Network Steering Committee Member extraordinaire, was named a Transgender Pioneer in the Trans100 list! We are so proud of you Trudie, congrats!

“The inaugural Trans 100 list, composed of transgender people from all over the United States was created with the intention of shifting the coverage of transgender issues by focusing on the positive work that is being accomplished, and providing visibility to those typically underrepresented.”

To see the full Trans100 list, click HERE!

 

Congratulations to our friend and colleague Jeffrey Jordan, founder and president of Rescue Social Change Group, for being recognized by The Advocate’s 40 under 40 for his innovative and important work in LGBT Tobacco Control!

 

 

And last but not least,  we are thrilled to introduce Erica Ferguson as the LGBTQ liaison at the Arizona Department of Health Services – Bureau of Chronic Disease and Tobacco!

Erica’s position will be to work with the LGBTQ communities in Arizona  in addressing tobacco prevention and cessation. We look forward to working with you Erica!

 

 

 

“My Name is Sherrill and I’m a Recovering Smoker”

 

Sherrill Wayland, MSW
SAGE

Metro St. Louis

 

 

 

 

“My Name is Sherrill and I’m a Recovering Smoker”

This was my opening comment for the “Voices of Community Partners” Panel, during the Community Engagement to Address Tobacco-related Health Disparities Pre-Conference at SRNT.  If you had told me a year ago that I would be asked to speak on a panel regarding smoking cessation programs, I would have laughed out loud. As a year ago, I was smoking a pack a day and on a really bad day maybe two. Fast forward a year and March 26th marks my one year anniversary of being tobacco free thanks to the Missouri Out, Proud and Healthy Project and the SAGE Metro St. Louis Smoking Cessation program.

Many of the health disparities prevalent in minority communities can be directly linked to smoking. Represented in the host of speakers during the pre-conference were institutional researchers and community partners working with minority communities including Native American, African American, East Asian Youth, HIV and LGBT communities. The common theme heard over and over was the importance of building collaborative relationships between research institutions and community based organizations based on trust and open communication. The community partners have a unique position to bring cultural understanding to the forefront of health disparities work. The research institutions bring invaluable resources through grant funds, technical assistance and capacity building. These collaborations empower community based organizations to deliver critical services to minority communities for addressing health disparities which would often not be possible without the support of research institutions.

 
SAGE Metro St. Louis is grateful for the work of the Out, Proud and Healthy Project from the University of Missouri – Columbia for the work they are doing to address health disparities within the LGBT community. Through building partnerships such as these, we can leverage our resources, conduct cutting edge research and most importantly, deliver services to the LGBT community designed to decrease health disparities which have historically been overlooked.

 
In closing, I encourage community based organizations to reach out in your communities to your research institutions and offer your support and partnership for the important work of community based research. It just might save a life!

February Updates From The Network

As we closed out January leading into February the Network had full representation at this year’s Creating Change 2013 Conference (CC13). Joined by our Blogging Scholarship Recipient Alex Aldana along with two guest bloggers Josh Gale and Trevoi Crump from National Youth Pride Services, we were able to showcase many of the great workshops and events that took place at CC13.

Every year at Creating Change the Network facilitates an education campaign; this year we launched our Governors Initiative. This is a community based best practices initiative focused on bridging the gap between LGBT individuals and health by engaging them to send a postcard to their governor asking if LGBT health best practices are being implemented in their state. We have printed four questions on the postcards, each based on our MPOWERED best practices: Does the state collect LGBT data as a routine part of all health surveys (such as BRFSS & YRBS), are health department and grantee staff trained in LGBT cultural competency and health disparities, are LGBT people included in community advisory bodies, are LGBT images routinely reflected in public health promotional materials? We are very pleased to report we already have postcards collected for thirty different states.

This month Gustavo visited Arkansas for the third time, this time expanding his technical assistance to a broader group of stakeholders from across the Arkansas Department of Health. On this trip, we’re pleased to report they launched a strategy we’d been suggesting to them on prior trips, the creation of an Arkansas LGBT Tobacco & Health Coalition. They are also implementing a larger scale LGBT integration strategy across the state department of health. To help this strategy Gustavo was able to meet with state health representatives from grants management, cessation, media, chronic disease, and HIV, among others. Gustavo also facilitated the largest LGBT health meeting in the state, a convening of 30 different community and state stakeholders beginning the work on their LGBT tobacco & health action plan. In order to strengthen the work in Arkansas, the Network is collaborating with The National LGBT Health Education Center here at the Fenway Institute, who has done some training with the University of Arkansas’ Medical Campus. As is our policy, we connected local state representatives with the local community based organizations that are part of CenterLink and the Equality Federation. In this case, Gustavo arranged for state staff to visit the Center for Artistic Revolution. We couldn’t be more pleased with Arkansas’ willingness to put best practice guidelines into the field and look forward to subtantive local changes as a result.

In a similar story, one of the states with whom we have been doing years of work had a success this month. West Virginia was the state that first asked us to outline the science justifying LGBT data collection, spurring our LGBT Tobacco Surveillance Briefing Paper. We’re happy to report this month their tobacco data release was led by the news of the LGBT smoking disparity, news that ultimately gained them coverage in the biggest state newspaper. See the story, including our quotes here.

In other assorted notes this month, the Network submitted an invited proposal to the Missouri Foundation for Health to provide Technical Assistance to a local health policy project. Dr. Scout submitted a section on tobacco for a forthcoming book, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves. He has also been confirmed as the plenary speaker for Nebraska’s state tobacco conference in April. As follow-up to the last month’s request to Sebelius for more funded LGBT tobacco research, we also had a meeting with the head of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, Dr. Lawrence Deyton. FDA’s CTP is investing heavily in new tobacco regulatory research. Dr. Deyton was very open to suggestions on how to ensure LGBT people (and all disparity populations) were included in the range of tobacco research; look for more information on that initiative in coming months.

Tobacco Control In LGBT Communities: A journey through this valuable report

As I am sure you are aware on Tuesday Legacy released a new report: Tobacco Control In LGBT Communities. This report is another to hit the national stage to address the growing concern of tobacco use and the affect it has on LGBT people. The layout of this report is quite nice, first addressing Legacy’s role in the movement, but more importantly highlighting the prevalence rates, and the fact data collection efforts needs to continue so we can monitor tobacco use in our communities.

While there are a lot of numbers folks who appreciate the data, sometimes the data does not truly share the full story. The report has a great section, Behind the Numbers: Tobacco and LGBT Communities. Which paints the story of why tobacco use is and continues to be an issues among our communities. It looks at Social Stigma and Smoking, the Bar and Club Culture, addressing health care disparities and the lack of access to health care our communities face. In addition they showcase tobacco industry targeting, and how smoking is normalized in our community in such a way that it has truly infiltrated our lives and LGBT culture overall. Additionally it goes in to the efforts the tobacco industry took in co-opting our community, and how tobacco companies were characterized as pioneers who stood in solidarity with our communities which is such a fascinating read.

We all know that there is a long standing history of LGBT people and tobacco. The report addresses some key points on what needs to be done moving forward with a set of actions public health and tobacco control organizations can take to counter tobacco in our communities:

• Engage directly with the LGBT community to offer cessation and prevention services that are culturally competent.
• Include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity in population-based studies and surveys of health status.
• Develop better and more standardized questions about sexual orientation and gender identity so a better picture of LGBT populations can be drawn.
• Conduct longitudinal cohort studies, which follow participants over long periods of time.
• Include, at all levels, LGBT people in mainstream tobacco control efforts.
• Develop tobacco control media campaigns targeting LGBT communities.
• Help LGBT communities and organizations find alternatives to tobacco industry funding.
• Include LGBT youth in all levels of tobacco control efforts.
• Ensure that the leadership of LGBT tobacco control efforts represents all LGBT communities, including traditionally disenfranchised segments such as transgender people, lesbian and bisexual women, people of color, LGBT youth, and LGBT people of lower socioeconomic status.

In the second part of this report it showcases four case studies of past legacy grantees. Leave no Funds Behind, which was a project the Network created working on Bridging the Gap Between LGBT Organizations and Tobacco Control Funding. As well as, Delicious Lesbian Kisses: A Social Marketing Campaign with Staying Power, Crush: The LGBT Lifestyle Project, and 30 Seconds: Helping Health Care Providers Reach LGBT Tobacco Users were all highlighted.

I highly recommend you take a look at this report, and share both the report and the factsheet created by legacy:

Tobacco Control In LGBT Communities Report

Tobacco Fact Sheet: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (Lgbt) communities and smoking

LGBT Communities & Tobacco Use Report Release LIVE WEBCAST TODAY

LGBT Communities & Tobacco Use

A recent article in the American Journal of Public Health analyzed nationally representative survey results and found that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people smoke cigarettes at rates that are nearly 70 percent higher than the general population. Legacy is committed to raising awareness of the high prevalence of tobacco use within these communities and highlighting solutions to address it.

Dissemination Report: Tobacco Control in LGBT Communities

This is the twelfth publication in Legacy’s dissemination series. It calls attention to the issue of the high prevalence of tobacco use and nicotine dependence in LGBT communities in the United States and examines sociocultural facets of tobacco use and tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among LGBT individuals. It also includes four examples of promising projects implemented by Legacy’s past grantees to address the high prevalence of tobacco use and tobacco-related disparities in this population.

Download a PDF of Tobacco Control in LGBT Communities here.

Video: “Tobacco Control in LGBT Communities”

A look at tobacco use among the LGBT population through personal stories and expert insights from:

• Dr. Scout, Director, The Fenway Institute’s Network for LGBT Health Equity
• Amari Pearson-Fields, Former Deputy Director, Mautner Project
• Bil Browning, Editor-In-Chief, Bilerico Project Blog

Warner Series: “Tobacco Use in the LGBT Communities: Why LGBT People Smoke So Much & What Can Be Done About It”

On December 11th, 2012, Legacy and the Human Rights Campaign hosted a panel discussion examining the socio-cultural factors influencing tobacco use in LGBT communities in the U.S., which result in high prevalence rates, disease and loss of life.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012
3:30 PM Eastern
Human Rights Campaign Headquarters, Washington D.C

View the webcast or RSVP in Person here.

 

Fact Sheet: “LGBT Communities and Smoking”

Explore the correlation between different LGBT groups and tobacco use.

Download a PDF of the fact sheet here

Upcoming event: Legacy and HRC panel discussion examining the factors influencing tobacco use in LGBT communities

 

Kabi Pokhrel

Director of Dissemination, LEGACY

Washington, DC

 

 

Hello Network!

I wanted to extend an invitation to you, on behalf of LEGACY and the Human Right’s Campaign, to the upcoming panel and reception to celebrate the release of a new report, Tobacco Control in LGBT Communities (for more information, see below!).

Legacy and the Human Right Campaign are hosting a panel discussion examining the socio-cultural factors influencing tobacco use in LGBT communities in the U.S., which result in high prevalence rates, disease and loss of life.  Research shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the U.S. use tobacco at much higher rates. Why do LGBT Americans smoke so much, and what initiatives have succeeded in reducing LGBT tobacco use? Legacy and HRC will host a panel discussion exploring these questions and more as Legacy releases a new report, Tobacco Control in LGBT Communities.  To find out more about the panel discussion, click here!

Event Date: December 11, 2012

Event Time:  3:30 to 6:00 p.m. EDT

Location: Human Rights Campaign

                      1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W.

                      Washington, DC 20036

Reception to follow!

 

To view the webcast of the panel discussion, click here.  Or to register to attend IN PERSON, click here.

 
Legacy is releasing a new report entitled Tobacco Control in LGBT Communities at this panel discussion on December 11th, 2012.  This report calls attention to the issues of the high prevalence of tobacco use and nicotine dependence and tobacco-related disparities facing the LGBT communities. It examines sociocultural facets of tobacco use and tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among LGBT individuals. The report also includes four case examples of promising projects implemented by Legacy’s past grantees to address tobacco-related disparities among LGBT individuals.  Once released, the report will be available online at http://www.legacyforhealth.org/1999.aspx. Please contact Legacy’s dissemination program at dissemination@americanlegacy.org<mailto:dissemination@americanlegacy.org>, if you would like to order hard copies of this report.

Nuevos datos: El consumo de tabaco en la comunidad LGBT puertorriqueña

 

Alex Cabrera Serrano

MSEpidemiólogo / Evaluador

Programa de Control de Tabaco de Puerto Rico

 

 

Puerto Rico es una de las jurisdicciones con la legislación más restrictiva y comprehensiva relacionada al uso de tabaco y la protección de la exposición al humo de segunda mano en Estados Unidos. Durante los últimos veinte años se han realizado muchos esfuerzos para reducir el consumo de tabaco en Puerto Rico, pero el logro más importante ha sido la aprobación de la Ley No. 66 de 2006. Esta Ley modifica la Ley No.40 del 3 de agosto de 1993 (Ley para regular el consumo de tabaco en determinados lugares públicos y privados). Con la implementación de esta ley en 2007, Puerto Rico, finalmente se convirtió en una isla libre de humo.Para el año 2011, según el Puerto Rico Behavioral Risk Surveillance System (PRBRFSS), la prevalencia del consumo de tabaco sigue siendo más baja en Puerto Rico (14,8%) que en los Estados Unidos (21,1%). A pesar de lo antes mencionado, siete de las doce principales causas de muerte en la isla están asociados con el uso de tabaco (enfermedades del corazón, tumores malignos, enfermedad de Alzheimer, enfermedad cerebrovascular, enfermedad pulmonar crónica, nefritis, hipertensión).Científicamente se ha demostrado que la comunidad LGBT tiene mayor prevalencia de consumo de tabaco en comparación con la población general. La mortalidad causada por los efectos nocivos del consumo de tabaco ha hecho de este tema uno de los problemas más apremiantes en materia de salud pública dentro de la comunidad LGBT en los Estados Unidos y sus territorios. A pesar de los avances en el control del tabaco en la Isla, Puerto Rico no tenía datos a nivel poblacional relacionados con el consumo de tabaco en esta comunidad hasta el año 2010. Por esta razón, el Programa de Control de Tabaco de Puerto Rico, incluyó dos preguntas sobre la identidad sexual dentro del módulo de consumo de tabaco en el PRBRFSS para el 2011. Cuando se analizaron estos datos, los resultados fueron los siguientes para la comunidad LGBT en Puerto Rico:

• El 1.6% (44,851) de la población de 18 años o más en Puerto Rico se identificó como parte de la comunidad LGBT. De estos el 20.8% reportaron ser fumadores, siendo esta prevalencia más alta que la de la población general (Gráfica 1). 
• En términos de edad en la comunidad LGBT, el grupo con mayor prevalencia de uso de tabaco fue el de 25-34 años (52.0%), seguido por el de 55 a 64 años (32.0%) y el de 35-44 años (22.0%) (Gráfica 2).

• Al analizar los datos por escolaridad, el grupo con mayor prevalencia resultó ser los que tenían algunos años de universidad o escuela técnica (23.9%), seguido por los graduados de universidad o escuela técnica (19.5%) y el grupo que no completó escuela superior (19.1%) (Gráfica 3).   
• Cuando se analizaron los datos por ingreso anual, las personas de la comunidad LGBT que ganaban $50,000 o más  (32.9%) reportaron mayor prevalencia de uso de tabaco, seguidos por los que ganaban entre $25,000 – $34,999 (22.4%) y los de $15,000 a $24,999 (21.7%) (Gráfica 4).  
• En términos de empleo, el grupo de mayor prevalencia resultó ser el que se encuentra sin empleo por más de un año (45.5%), seguidos por los que trabajan por cuenta propia (42.9%) y las personas que se dedican a las tareas del hogar (29.5%) (Gráfica 5).

Reconociendo las características de la comunidad LGBT en términos de consumo de tabaco, el Programa de Control de Tabaco de Puerto Rico está desarrollando una campaña educativa dirigida a esta comunidad con énfasis en los grupos con mayor prevalencia de consumo de tabaco.

Today is the Great American Smokeout 2012!

 

 

The Network for LGBT Health Equity

Wishing you a fabulously smoke FREE day

 

 

 

 

 

Hello lovely Network!

The Great American Smokeout, which originated in Massachusetts (which is, coincidentally, where the Network is based) in the 1970′s, is an annual awareness event designed to  change attitudes around smoking, inspire policy and programming around smoke free communities, and educate people about the dangers of smoking.

And whats the angle? NOT SMOKING FOR ONE DAY.

The hope is that this one day creates a space where people can learn about the consequences of smoking on their health and the health of those around them, the targeting of disparity populations by the tobacco industry, and the benefits of living a tobacco free life.

Since the Great American Smokeout was created, attitudes around smoking have drastically changed, but unfortunately, smoking is STILL the leading cause of preventable death in the US.

Today, The American Cancer Society spearheads this day with events all over the country and widespread media campaigns. Read more about it HERE!

So take this day to think about quitting, or to encourage someone you love to quit. Because thinking about it is the first step, and who knows? Maybe one day will turn into two, and two days will turn into a week and before you know it, you’ll have quit for good!

Here’s wishing you not only a healthier and happier smoke-free DAY, but a healthier and happier smoke-free LIFE

Love,

The Network for LGBT Health Equity

(Scout, Gustavo, and Daniella)

PRESS RELEASE: FINDINGS FROM CDC’S NATIONAL ADULT TOBACCO SURVEY SHOWS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG LGBT RESPONDENTS VERSUS GENERAL POPULATION

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        
September 20, 2012    

Contact:     Chris Viveiros

617.927.6342 / 617.721.7494                                                                                               cviveiros@fenwayhealth.org 

FINDINGS FROM CDC’S NATIONAL ADULT TOBACCO SURVEY SHOWS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG LGBT RESPONDENTS VERSUS GENERAL POPULATION

Report Marks Historic First Release of National Surveillance Data on LGBT Tobacco Use

A CDC (United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) analysis of data from 2009-2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) showed that with the exception of pipes, tobacco use was significantly higher among LGBT respondents when compared to the general population.   The survey found that 32.8% of LGBT people nationally smoke cigarettes; 12.2% smoke cigars/cigarillos/small cigars; 6.1% and 38.5% report using any tobacco.  Among heterosexual/straight respondents, those rates fell to 19.5% for cigarettes; 6.6% for cigars/cigarillos/small cigars; and 25.2% for any tobacco use.

An abstract of the APJH report is available here, where American Public Health Association (APHA) members can download a PDF of the full report.  Members of the press who would like a copy of the report should contact the APHA at mediarelations@apha.org or 202.777.2509.

“These data provide the first national benchmark of adult LGBT tobacco use and we applaud the Office of Smoking and Health at CDC for their leadership in LGBT integration and data collection,” comments Dr. Scout, The Director of The Network for LGBT Health Equity.  “Unfortunately, these findings  confirm the bad news that LGBT people smoke cigarettes at rates 68% higher than the general population and that our overall tobacco use is 50% higher.” said Scout, PhD, Director of The Network for LGBT Health.

“It’s clearer than ever that tobacco use is one of the largest single health burdens on the LGBT community,” Scout continued. “On a daily level, this means smoking and secondhand smoke is taking our health and too often, our lives. I look forward to the day when every tobacco control program includes LGBT tailored work and every tobacco industry marketing program doesn’t.”

“The American Lung Association is happy to see that this report contains specific information on LGBT tobacco use. As we stated in our 2010 report on LGBT tobacco use, Smoking Out a Deadly Threat – Tobacco Use in the LGBT Community, it’s important that this type of data be collected among the LGBT community so we can target programs and funding appropriately to reduce the burden of tobacco use among this community and all disproportionately affected communities,” said Bill Blatt, the Director of Tobacco Control Programs at The American Lung Association.

“The LGBT communities have been advocating for health data collection for so long.” reports Terry Stone, the Executive Director of Centerlink, the national association of LGBT community centers, “It’s great to finally see some results from that work. Even if the news is bad, it’s better than being invisible.”

The 2009 – 2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey is a national landline and cell phone survey of adults aged 18 years and older, to estimate current use of any tobacco; cigarettes; cigars, cigarillos, or small cigars; chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip; water pipes; snus; and pipes. We stratified estimates by gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, sexual orientation, and US state.

The Network for LGBT Health Equity at The Fenway Institute is a community-driven network of advocates and professionals looking to enhance LGBT health by eliminating tobacco use, and other health disparities within our communities. We are one of six CDC-funded tobacco disparity networks.

For more than forty years, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhood, the LGBT community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population.  The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education and policy development focusing on national and international health issues. Fenway’s Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center cares for youth and young adults ages 12 to 29 who may not feel comfortable going anywhere else, including those who are LGBT or just figuring things out; homeless or living on the streets; struggling with substance use or abuse; sex workers; or living with HIV/AIDS.

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The Shame of Pride

 

Ricky Hill

Doctoral student, instructor, dandy

Cross-posted from OK4RJ: Oklahomans for Reproductive Justice

It’s the most beautiful time of the year, y’all.

This is the time of year where queers all over this lovely country of ours put on their shortest of shorts, their most glittery of glitter, their most bronze of bronzer, and work on making their hair as high as humanly possible. We primp, we preen, we curate the most fabulous ensembles in hope of catching the eye of that gender fucking Femme who works at the only bookstore in town that carries Curve (that’s still a thing, right? Okay, Original Plumbing, then).This is the time of year that we all wait so patiently for: The time of year where we are allowed to be bold and brash.

The time of year where we put on our rainbows, grab fistfuls of money, and dance in the streets.

That’s right, queermos. You know it, you love it: PRIDE!

It’s Pride Month! The one time of year when we’re allowed to walk down the streets in gold lamé without fear! The one time of year we get to be seen in the daytime! The one time of year when you can assume everyone wants to fuck you without looking like a narcissist! And y’all, you know Pride is good, because it’s one of the seven deadly sins.

But with Pride comes one of my least favorite things in the world: Pride Festivals.

You think I’d love them, because they’re chock full of free shit, gaymo performances, daytime drinking, and sweaty dancing. But you know what? You’re wrong. To me, Pride Festivals have become one of the most hypocritical events to happen to queer communities in recent years.

I know, I know. That’s maybe a controversial opinion to have, but hear me out.

Pride is something positive that originated out of something super shitty. It’s a self-affirming visibility project built up as a response to physical and psychic attacks on queerness. That part I can get behind.

The issue I take with Pride Festivals across the country is the rampant sponsorship put up by addictive and dangerous products. Don’t act like you don’t know.

Let’s look at Oklahoma City Pride as an example.

(This is the part where I make a disclaimer about using Oklahoma City as an example. This is not about blasting OKC’s Pride. I think that the organization has an amazing mission, and the amount of passion and drive it takes to pull something like Pride off is commendable. This is about larger issues related to equity and justice when we’re talking about LGBTQ communities, and is applicable to pretty much ALL Pride celebrations nationwide. Okay? Okay.)

Who pays for Pride? Not like you don’t already know from the mega floats that appear in the parade, or the banners hanging up at every bar. But really, who? Based on what I can tell, it’s almost all booze companies who foot the bill.

Page 29 of Oklahoma City’s Pride Guide lists the festival sponsors who are responsible for making Pride fiscally possible. Who are listed in the top five? Coors Light, Boulevard Brewing Company, Miller Lite, Tecate, and Bud Light.

Yup. Those are all big alcohol companies.

Interesting, especially given the fact that LGBTQ folks have higher addiction rates than the general population. And we’re not talking like, a little bit higher. The Pride Institute estimates that about 45% of our community participates in problem drinking behaviors.

45%!!?? That’s almost half!

(Fun Fact: We smoke like we drink, too.)

So, with epidemic-like numbers like those, don’t you think that we’d be trying to decrease risky behavior rather than encourage it?

I think so. And I don’t think it’s unreasonable to demand that our community’s health and well-being be taken into consideration when putting together this festival. Where are the members of the Oklahoma City Pride Board when these sponsorship decisions are being made? For an organization whose mission statement is “to provide leadership to meet the needs of the LGBT community through awareness, health, and educational services,” I think they need to really be held accountable to that. We’re not doing anyone any good if we’re only paying lip service to mission statements.

So, queers, it’s time. Let’s start pushing back. Let’s celebrate what Pride is really about:

Be a movement, not a market!

Ricky would like to wish all of you a very lovely Pride month, and looks forward to dancing with you soon. Follow Ricky on Twitter: @prettyrickyroo