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So once again The Onion has come out with a story that entertains, educates, and satirizes.
(If the above doesn't work try the link)
I usually like the Onion but this went a little too far. I know it was commenting on how "That's So Gay" is a popular phrase and on how smoking in the gay community is an epidemic, but gosh, the video was pretty harsh personally.
Well, anyway, the topic I want to bring up is the epidemic of smoking in the LGBTQ community. According to several reports, high smoking rates in the gay community is the result of stress and a number of external factors including advertising targeted towards the community.
Jointogether.org:
The stress that the article refers to includes the stress that comes with people who choose to live out of the closet and people who are still deciding whether to come out or stay in. Some anecdotes included men who came out at a young age, were rejected by their family, then either started or continued smoking to relieve their stress and anguish.Gays and lesbians in California, for example, smoke at twice the rate as heterosexual residents: more than 30 percent of gays, lesbians, and transgendered Californians smoke, compared to 14 percent of the general population. Lesbians smoke at three times the rate of other California women; about one in three are smokers. Among lesbians ages 18-24, 47 percent smoke.
Transgender people are just as affected. When taking hormones, smoking will increase the risk of complications and of developing a serious medical condition.
A personal anecdote comes from a friend of mine who started smoking because of the idea that smoking can help you lose weight or keep the weight off. During the AIDS crisis gay men began to look towards healthier and safer habits such as wearing condoms to protect themselves. However, starting in the 90s, men started to create a culture obcessed with staying fit and young by working out at the gym. Soon, smoking came along with their gym obcessions. As pointed out before, it relieved stress and kept them focused.
So not only should this issue concern people about how LGBTQ people who are stressed with coming out turn to tabacco, it should be relevent to gays and lesbians as the nation is deciding on new healthcare laws. The American Cancer Society estimates that 30,000 LGBTQ people die each year of tobacco related diseases. And as Red Ribbon Week comes by, I believe it is important to be healthy and make decisions in your life that you're comfortable and rational with.
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by Anatic09
Youtube Link for Onion Video on The Newest CDC Antismoking Campaign: Smoking is so Gay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4qt1iMo6oM