American Cancer Society Gives in to Homophobia

[Guest guest]

In my dual role as director of Malecare and of The LGBT Cancer Project - Out

With Cancer, over the years many well meaning people have emailed me, asking,

" why do gay people need their own cancer survivor organization. " I got one such

email this morning, just as I was composing the following. Just one of several

similar " issues " I respond to every month. I hope you will find this

enlightening.

April 27, 2010

R. Seffrin, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

American Cancer Society

Dear Dr. Seffrin:

I write to you today with the hope of getting a greater understanding about why

The American Cancer Society's Pinellas County branch canceled an LGBT-focused

Relay For Life that was scheduled for March 21, 2010. As described by the

event's organizer, Bobby Poth, American Cancer Society officials " were worried

about how the general public would react to an LGBT-targeted event [and] allowed

personal beliefs to play a role in that fear, etc. "

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered cancer survivors, their friends, family

and care givers, deserve complete and unfettered support by all of us, including

the American Cancer Society. Homophobia is vile and life threatening,

particularly to those who are vulnerable because of ongoing health care

treatment. Out With Cancer – The LGBT Cancer Project is our country's first

and leading LGBT cancer survivor support and advocacy national nonprofit

organization. We know that prejudice hurts LGBT cancer survivors, diminishing

access to appropriate health care, elevating psycho-social stressors and

reducing research into LGBT health care disparities. To see our country's

largest cancer survivor nonprofit, the American Cancer Society give in to

homophobia, is harmful to all of us.

I look forward to your reply on this issue. Thank you for your consideration.

Darryl Mitteldorf, LCSW

Executive Director

Out With Cancer – The LGBT Cancer Project