Campus smoking policy discriminatory to gays

TO THE EDITOR:

According to the peer-reviewed health journal, Tobacco Control, gays are more likely to smoke.

This report concludes that “sexual minority status is associated with higher risk of smoking.”

This proves just one thing: It is not a choice to smoke. Obviously, then, the right to smoke is protected by the non-discrimination policy that clearly states that the University may not discriminate based on “sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”

Frankly it is quite clear, science has made it so, that smoking is an essential piece to the delicate quilt that makes up this, the University’s most cherished socio-demographic group.

Smoking is a form of “gender expression.”

And yet, last year the University put a non-smoking policy into place that does not allow one to stand within 100 feet of any building.

If caught outside the circumference of the circle drawn for them by the state, they could face up to $146 in fines.

The homosexuals who are forced to wear this proverbial Star of David are not even afforded a trash can and yet face further discrimination when they litter.

The LBGTQ community should fight this draconian policy.


Justin Crowder
Junior
Economics