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For Immediate Release Washington, DC. The National Coalition for LGBT Health and its Smokefree Synergy Project played a major role in the January 3 rd passage of legislation creating smokefree work places in DC. Over the past twelve months, staff and volunteers from the Coalition have developed alliances with other anti-tobacco leaders, recruited new LGBT organizational allies, and engaged opinion leaders. By activating LGBT grassroots activists, the Coalition was successful in mobilizing hundreds of LGBT community members to support the legislation. The legislation passed the DC Council by a vote of 11-1and is awaiting signature by Mayor Anthony Williams. “We are proud that our community was an effective partner with other anti-tobacco leaders, including the American Cancer Society and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids,” said David Haltiwanger, Co-Chair of the Coalition. “By drawing upon our community's strong political ties and grassroots energy, we were able to make a difference in DC.” , In late 2004, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Tobacco Change Project provided a $50,000 grant to the Coalition to support the participation of the LGBT community in clean air initiatives in Washington, DC, and Cleveland, OH. In both cities, the Coalition established new working relationships with anti-smoking activists and other health care providers. In DC, the Coalition held community meetings, created fact sheets and other public awareness materials, placed advertisements in LGBT publications, met directly with lawmakers, and testified before the DC Council about the impact of smoking on the LGBT Community. In Cleveland, lawmakers have not yet passed clean-air legislation, but LGBT activists and others are now working on statewide clean indoor air effort, including launching a statewide ballot initiative. “With the help of the LGBT community, the DC Council took an important step toward protecting the health of thousands of District workers and making our nation's capital smokefree,” said Renee McPhatter, Director of the DC Campaign at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “We thank the National Coalition for LGBT Health and its Smokefree Synergy Project for rallying the LGBT community and reminding the DC Council that no one should have to choose between a job and good health.” LGBT communities are among the populations most severely impacted by tobacco use. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 30,000 LGBT people die each year of tobacco-related diseases. Studies indicate that LGBT people are anywhere between 40 and 70 % more likely to smoke than non-LGBT people and LGBT adolescents take up smoking at rate that is over 10% higher than non-LGBT youth. The Coalition has been a leader in the development of the National LGBT Communities Tobacco Action Plan. With planning started in December 2002, the Action Plan represents a wide-ranging community process that included a Working Meeting to develop the Action Plan and opportunities for Internet-based input and feedback. Such a plan was one of the wish list items tobacco activists had listed a year earlier at the first national LGBTI Tobacco Summit.
About the National Coalition for LGBT Health The National Coalition For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Health is committed to improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and communities through public education, coalition building and advocacy that focuses on research, policy, education and training. Based in Washington, DC, the Coalition includes more than 50 member organizations from throughout the United States. Each spring, the Coalition sponsors National LGBT Health Awareness Week. For more information about the Coalition, visit www.lgbthealth.net.
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