On June 8, YKHC’s Nicotine Cessation and Prevention Department (NCPD) partnered with Teens Acting Against Violence (TAAV) to host Bethel’s first Pride Parade.

In a historic move, local Bethel teenagers came together to create positive change in the Y-K Delta. The young activists at TAAV have noticed an issue; the perception and treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) individuals within Bethel. The LGBTQ community is considered a minority group and thus has been discriminated against as well as isolated. One example of this is “Project SCUM”. In 1995, a marketing strategy was developed by tobacco companies to boost cigarette sales by focusing on ‘sub-culture’ and urban areas. Similar tactics have been used to target other minority groups. This is the type of treatment that TAAV wanted to highlight and work against through a partnership with NCPD.

The Pride Parade kicked off at the Cultural Center by 11:00 a.m. and participants marched to YKHC and back to the Cultural Center where activities, food and information was provided until 3:00 p.m. The event had a comprehensive smoke and tobacco-free policy, symbolizing the partnership between TAAV and NCPD. This allowed all participants to enjoy a healthy event promoting pride in Bethel.

With this event now firmly in the Y-K Delta’s history books, it is clear for anyone to see that teens are making a difference by ensuring everyone has a healthier place to live and feel proud.

NCPD would be thrilled to work with another organization’s event. If you would like assistance in such endeavors you can call our office at 907-543-6312 as well as 1-800-473-3321 extension 6312 or email us at nicotinecontrol@ykhc.org.

Aiden Keller, Tobacco Prevention & Cessation