LGBT Leaders say NO to tobacco company donations for the Gay American Smokeout

“BUTT OUT! Ending Tobacco Industry Exploitation of the LGBT Community” will mark the Gay American Smokeout by staging a public spectacle to draw attention to the impact of Big Tobacco on the LGBT community, on Nov. 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Harvey Milk Plaza. BUTT OUT!, a local LGBT advocacy group that works against the tobacco companies, and dozens of local concerned citizens dressed in black and wearing skull makeup to represent those who have died from tobacco, will chase out of the Castro the tobacco company’s proxy, the Grim Reaper, standing close to 10-feet tall while wielding a three-foot cigarette. State Senator Mark Leno, who has pledged to refuse campaign donations from tobacco companies, will be speaking at the event.

“We want to make a strong statement that acceptance of tobacco companies in our communities has to stop immediately,” said Brian Davis, Breathe California’s BUTT OUT! project coordinator. 

At the event, BUTT OUT! will not only demonstrate against Big Tobacco but will also honor the contributions of LGBT-serving organizations for taking a stand against Big Tobacco. 

“Thanks to the forward thinking actions of many of our community organizations, tobacco companies will not be able to use these organizations’ good names to buy acceptance into our community,” said Davis. “We challenge other organizations to follow the example set by these community leaders and adopt tobacco-free funding policies of their own.” 

Standing up to tobacco companies is more important than ever, according to BUTT OUT!, given the damage that tobacco wreaks on the LGBT community.  According to the 2004 California LGBT Tobacco Use Study, the LGBT smoking rate (30.4%) is close to double that of the general population (15.4%).  Nationally, more people die from smoking related diseases than AIDS, alcohol, drug use, suicide, murder, and traffic accidents combined. 

The Gay American Smokeout on Nov.19 is a day when LGBT Americans can choose to quit smoking for a day – or a lifetime.  Smoking cessation resources specific to the LGBT community are available in San Francisco.  Free group support classes are held regularly at the LGBT Center (visit lastdrag.org), and UCSF provides an online quit program for the LGBT community at iquit.medschool.ucsf.edu. The Gay American Smokeout serves as a reminder that it is never too late to take control of your health.