According to the peer-reviewed health journal, Tobacco Control, gays are more likely to smoke. This report comprises the first “systematic review among sexual minority populations” and concludes that to be gay requires a “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, UNC’s most cherished socio-demographic group. Smoking is a form of “gender expression.”
And yet, last year UNC put a non-smoking policy into place that does not allow one to stand within one-hundred feet of any building. This forces the inhalers to congregate by the flagpole in the lower quad prompting only the most savvy, yuppie UNC students to term it the “gaypole” just as these same students did with the “gayble” outside of Lenoir last year (as reported on the prestigeous DTH’s front page).
The smoking policy is put in place in order to, according to the university, maintain a “healthy work and learning environment.” Does UNC seriously contend that gays are a threat to a healthy work and learning environment?
If caught outside the circumference of the circle drawn for them by the state, they could face up to $25 in fines and will have to incur $121 in court fees. The homosexuals who are forced to wear this proverbial Star of David are not even afforded a trashcan and yet face further discrimination when they litter.
This is wrong. And everyone knows that Hell has no fury like that of the LGBTQ community. They could reverse this draconian policy in one week if they wanted to.