Dear Editor:

As a Queer man, a long-time Gay rights activist, and a graduating senior at SDSU, I have to say that life for Gays on campus is not as bad as certain individuals are making it seem.

I was at the marriage equality rally several months ago where participants were harassed by several male SDSU students. While the signs and slogans of those students were vulgar (and largely non-sensical), they remained within the bounds of protected speech. It is true that ONE egg was thrown in the direction of the rally. It is not true that anyone was hit by the egg. The egg landed in the street several feet away from the group, and three people - including myself - were splashed with tiny quantities of yolk. This behavior is over the line, but I have experience far worse at other rallies I have attended, even within the Gay community.

A year ago, I picketed outside of Urban ‘Mos bar in Hillcrest, because I believe the name is homophobic. During my picket, I was repeatedly called faggot, cocksucker, and queer by the Gay patrons of the bar. I was physically assaulted and the flyers I was handing out were stolen from me, all while the bar’s security staff looked on and did nothing.

I had to call the police to the scene to stop the intimidation by the bar patrons. A reporter for the Gay and Lesbian Times was present taking pictures, but the attacks against me there were never reported in that publication.

I mention this to illustrate that the homophobia on SDSU is not any worse than the homophobia within the LGBT community itself. Should things be better? Yes! But incidents on and around the SDSU campus are being blown out of proportion.

I believe these events are being exaggerated in an attempt to drum up support for a permanent LGBT resource center on campus. I further believe that the main advocate for this resource center expects to be employed as its paid director should it ever be funded. Incidents such as the marriage equality egg-toss, and the recent letter in the Koala directed at Doug Case, are being highlighted to somehow demonstrate the need for this proposed resource center, but I haven’t heard a sound argument as to how such a center would benefit LGBT people on campus.

No specifics as to plans or projects. No data beyond the anecdotal of an actual campus problem. The only argument I have heard in its support has been “UCSD has one,” and that just isn’t sufficient. As a Queer activist for the last twenty years, I must confess that I really don’t see the need for such a center at SDSU.

This October and last December, a pair of anti-Gay fundamentalists visited campus bearing, they claimed, messages from God concerning the damnation of Gay folk (among others). Last Spring, an anti-Gay Christian youth ministry, BattleCry, held an event at Cox Arena. I was present at all three events speaking against the homophobia being promulgated. In every case, for several days afterward, I received props for speaking out from numerous straight students who saw me on campus. That hardly indicates a pervasive anti-Gay sentiment at SDSU.

Just the opposite, in fact.

I find the campus environment generally Gay-friendly and quite safe. I see no problem at SDSU. I don’t believe that recent homophobia is being portrayed in proportion to its actual seriousness. And I do not believe there is any need for a permanent LGBT resource center at San Diego State.

Keith W. Ramsey

Dear Editor:

Nicole is correct; there is nothing wrong with supporting Republicans or candidates of any political party as long as you believe they will best represent you. What is wrong is supporting bigots. A person that dislikes people because they have a different sexual orientation is the same person that dislikes those that are of another race or religion.

Nicole endorsed all three councilmen that voted against supporting marriage equality. He also twice endorsed Arnold Schwarzenegger who twice vetoed bills passed by the state senate and assembly which would have granted marriage equality. Politicians like Kevin Faulconer, Tony Young, Brian Maienschein and Arnold Schwarzenegger, will be remembered in history as bigots just the same way we remember Governor George Wallace of Alabama and Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Nicole Murray-Ramirez will be remembered as a person who chose to support bigots rather than endorse those that want equal rights for all regardless of race and sexual orientation.

Juan Gonzalez