Group Pulls Out of Seattle’s PrideFest Over Anti-Tobacco Policy
When OutVentures President Jeffrey King began the process of procuring booth space at PrideFest, he was faced with a policy that he just couldn't stomach: all organizations and business who wish to set up shop at the Seattle Center are required to have or refer people to smoking-cessation services. Those who don't comply with the policy do not get a booth.
King was outraged.
OutVentures, which is an organization for LGBT outdoor enthusiasts, has taken part in PrideFest for years. "Our board does not believe that any outside body has the right to dictate any policies we should or should not have," King told EDGE. "The particular policy they are asking us to add or change is completely irrelevant. What is relevant is that Gay City, and PrideFest for that matter, are requiring businesses and organizations to add a policy into their by-laws; a mandate that we believe flies in the face of what Pride is all about."
King said Pride is about individualism and celebrating who we are, not about changing the core of organizations to suit what someone else thinks they should be. He told OutVentures members in an e-mail that the organization will have its booth at the Broadway Festival on Saturday, June 25, but not PrideFest on Sunday, June 26.
"Thank you for understanding that we don't take this action lightly and hope you understand how difficult it is for us to break our long-standing relationship with the official pride celebration," wrote King. "OutVentures has been a loyal part of Seattle's gay community for almost 10 years. We are saddened to think that many organizations probably felt trapped and simply capitulated to this request..., which in the long run makes [their] policy and its intent, meaningless. Your OutVentures leadership has chosen not to capitulate to this request. It is my sincere hope that we can rejoin the Seattle Center Pride celebration next year."
What's the Problem?
Tobacco use is the leading cause of death in King County, claiming 7,600 lives each year. Tobacco-related health care costs cost the state nearly $2 billion each year. Each Washington household has an added annual tax burden of $625 for tobacco-related health care, even if nobody in the household smokes.
PrideFest's Egan Orion supports the policy.
"We at PrideFest strongly believe in a libertarian approach to government and society, and believe that there is undue influence on LGBT people that directly impacts our health with regards to tobacco in particular," he said. "We've partnered with Gay City Health Project to make sure every vendor, sponsor, and non-profit at PrideFest 2011 has a tobacco policy in place, to commit to not taking big tobacco's money and to ensure that every organization has resources in place to support those who may want to quit smoking."
Orion maintains his organization is "not anti-smoking."
"We are for limiting the undue influence of money from tobacco companies and in support of access to resources for all organizations who choose to be a part of the festival," he said.
For OutVentures and other organizations that do not have a policy in place, Orion said PrideFest advised them on how to proceed.
"If you don't already have a tobacco policy in place, it takes just a minute to work with Gay City to develop one," wrote Orion on the PrideFest's official Web site. "It's a small step, and is just another way PrideFest and Gay City are working together to help make our community healthier."
Gay City's staff e-mailed King.
"For an organization like yours, it could be a simple referral statement saying that you will refer members to the Quitline if they would like to stop smoking," they wrote. "Something like this: It is the policy of OutVentures to provide members seeking smoking-cessation services with a referral to 1-800-QUIT-NOW and www.quitline.com."
King declined the offer.
PrideFest Stands Firm
PrideFest officials say they refuse to shy away from the issue. Orion added that he welcomes it.
"Through the PrideFest Web site, the only place for vendors to book their booth space, this policy requirement was clearly spelled out from the start, and it was indicated that Gay City Health Project would work with participating vendors to help confirm or draft tobacco policies appropriate for their organizations," he pointed out.
One Degree Events rents space to non-profit organizations, which have been the primary sources of complaint so far, at below the actual cost because they provide essential services to the community.
"To be a vendor at a public event is never a right-there are always vendor requirements," said Orion. "The fact that our requirements for PrideFest 2011 have to do with support of LGBT health and wellness should come as no surprise with our long-standing partnership with Gay City Health Project."
Organizations and businesses that rent space at PrideFest have direct access to the LGBT Seattleites, and either serve or want business from them. In exchange for the privilege of that access, Orion stressed "all we were asking for this year was for organizations to work with Gay City to draft a tobacco policy that made sense for that organization." It could be as simple as making a pledge to not take money from big tobacco companies and providing employees and/or volunteers with the number for the Tobacco QuitLine.
"For some organizations, like the ACLU, there was initial concern about the requirement, but once they learned what we were looking for, it was no big deal and they worked with Gay City to either provide their policy or put together something for their organization," said Orion. "In the case of other organization, like PFLAG or Equal Rights Washington, they were totally on-board with the policy commitment but hadn't put it into their organization's policies just yet, and were grateful for the help."
To qualify the requirements, Orion said the policy is not about telling individuals what they can or cannot do. "For One Degree Events, from the start this has always been about limiting the influence of big tobacco and providing resources to those who want to quit," he said. "The higher rates of smoking in the LGBT community are the result of the target marketing by tobacco companies and cultural influences within the community. This has a direct effect on the long-term health of our community, and if we can in some small way through policy changes help the health of those in our community, then we're all in, and anybody who serves our community should have a role in this process too."
Orion further defended the position.
"I would think that these non-profits would be enthusiastic about this, particular these sports/outdoors organizations, but as an event organizer, you can't dictate enthusiasm," he concluded. "We can, and have, drafted requirements for PrideFest 2011 and we think that it will ultimately have a positive role in the conversation on tobacco policy and ultimately the health of our community."
The Result
As a presenting sponsor of PrideFest 2011, Gay City's goal is to have 100 percent of this year's vendors enact an effective tobacco prevention and control policy.
"This collaborative effort toward promoting the health of the LGBT community will be publicized through a variety of media leading up to, and during, the event," said Gay City officials. "Your business or organization will be showcased as a supporter of LGBT pride, community, and health!"
King and OutVentures are simply not buying it.
"In general, we support the work of Gay City, but simply disagree with their methods on this particular point," said King. "Our organizations have never crossed paths before and most likely never will again; and for them to require us to change our by-laws 'for all time' of this one brief interaction seems unreasonable."
Fred Swanson, executive director for Gay City, defended the policy.
"We're not asking anyone to change their charters," he told EDGE. "We are just asking them to make a policy that supports queer people who want to quit."