March 7, 2008

Secondhand Smoke: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You - And Your Friends
If you smoke, it may be tempting to think that at least you are only hurting yourself. But in fact, that's not the case at all. Not only do you deserve better than the health problems that come with smoking - but those around you, including your children, loved ones, family, friends, and even pets do too!

• Secondhand smoke contains toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, including formaldehyde, cyanide, benzene, and arsenic.
• Secondhand smoke causes nearly 50,000 deaths each year through heart disease and lung cancer.
• In children and young people, secondhand smoke can contribute to problems from respiratory infections to suddan infant death syndrome. It also affects your pets.
• There is no safe amount of exposure to secondhand smoke!

If you smoke and are trying to quit, get support. The Mautner Project holds regular smoking cessation support groups, with the next one starting on Tuesday, April 1st. For more information or to sign up,
click here to visit our smoking cessation webpage,, e-mail our quit specialist Sara Jaye Sanford at ssanford@mautnerproject.org, or call us at 202.332.5536. If you are outside of the DC area, we can help you find resources in your community.

Larry C. Harrod Community Service Award Presented to Mautner
The Mautner Project is honored to be the recipient of the Larry C. Harrod Community Service Award for "demonstrated commitment and steadfast dedication to the African-American LGBT Community," presented by Private Stock Entertainment at Winter Explosion 2008.

From right to left: Don Johnson of Private Stock Entertainment, with D Magrini and Leslie Calman of the Mautner Project. To learn more about Winter Explosion, visit them online at www.winterexplosion.com.

The Mautner Project improves the health of lesbians, bisexual, and transgender women who partner with women, and their families, through advocacy, education, research, and direct service. We envision a healthcare system that is guided by social justice and responsive to the needs of all people.

Health Education Team
Mautner Project: The National Lesbian Health Organization
202.332.5536