Dear Editor:

I am outraged over the assault of a young woman after the Rally Against Hate at SDSU on Dec 3.

This was not a fraternity boy prank. The suspect evidently laid in wait or stalked the woman with the intent of inflicting harm and intimidating her and the entire GLBT population at SDSU. This was premeditated, attempted murder, with a hate crime endorsement designed to terrorize a community.

SDSU is a school out of control, where hate and disrespect of GLBT students has been tolerated far too long. Until students are taught that hate is “uncool,” and so long as anti-GLBT / hate groups such as “Battle Cry” are allowed to hold events on campus, and until the administration is willing to support and protect the GLBT student community with more than a 10X10 office in the basement, intimidation will continue.

My partner is a transgendered student at SDSU. I am concerned for her safety, and the safety of every GLBT student at SDSU if this matter is whitewashed by the administration and authorities, and allowed to pass unchallenged.

Something the GLT missed in your report last week regarding the legal challenge to SB 777, the “Safe Place to Learn Act,” filed in Federal Court in San Diego, is that Priscilla Schreiber, the only named individual in the lawsuit, is the President of the Governing Board of the Grossmont Union High School District. She is the same individual who reportedly called GLBT students “abominations” while censoring a high school play at El Cajon High in Feb. of 2005.

This is a school district which on Dec 8, the UT reported had three teachers recently arrested for various sex-related crimes. The dangers students in this district face are not from GLBT students, but from the adults charged with protecting them and their civil rights to learn and to simply pee in peace and safety.

The fact that religious zealots entrenched in the Grossmont School Disctict chose to file their lawsuit in San Diego is an affront to our community and places us on the front line of the battle to protect our GLBT children’s right to exist in public schools. As a community we must continue to stand up to the bullying tactics of religious hatred and intolerance.

Jamie Starr

Dear Editor:

After reading Robert DeKoven’s column on City Attorney Michael Aguirre I must agree with District Attorney Bonny Dumanis. In a recent letter sent to local attorneys she said, “We should all be mindful of the case of Durham District Attorney Michael Nifong who was forced to resign from office for prosecutorial abuse. As attorneys we all know that the power to prosecute must be carefully wielded. I am very concerned about the manner in which this City Attorney recklessly and without supporting evidence accuses citizens in our community of corruption, conspiracy and other criminal misconduct. Prosecutors must always file charges based upon evidence and never base their cases on unsubstantiated beliefs. Prosecutors should always try their cases in a courtroom, not in the media and only after a complete and thorough investigation. I am confident that you would agree that when pursuing justice there can be no place for careless and reckless behavior. I am also concerned that this City Attorney has continually failed to abide by the rules of professional conduct.” (Union Tribune 10/19/07)

This sounds exactly like what Aguirre did to the 2200 Club. Aguirre can best be described as a less than honest loose cannon who is trying to make a name for himself at the expense of our business community. The LGBT voters put him in office and now that he is seeking reelection it is time to boot him out.

Dee Keng

Dear Editor:

As a longtime reader of law professor Rob DeKoven’s column I found his recent comments supportive of City Attorney Michael Aguirre disappointing.

DeKoven, of all people, was completely aware that Aguirre, after reaching out to the GLBT community for support in getting elected, sent undercover police into the 2200 Club, a location operating as a gay bathhouse for over twenty-two years, making ridiculous allegations but only looking for sexual activity between consenting adults. This was after Police Chief William Landsdowne announced that he would not use undercover officers in LGBT businesses. After the court ruled that the only violation that the 2200 Club had committed was allowing two men to share a single occupancy room and after the uproar of our community, including an editorial in the GLT (2/15/07) and many letters to the editor critical of Aguirre, he answered with a letter in the GLT saying “However, it was to protect the health and safety of the GLBT community that legal action was taken to shut down this particular bath house.” (GLT 8/30/07) This was a complete fabrication as there is no evidence in the court transcripts or any inspection reports that any such conditions existed or were alleged.

Aguirre’s unwarranted attack on this GLBT business and his refusal to take responsibility by telling the truth to our community is extremely disappointing. He has neither the character or the reputation to warrant any support by the citizens of San Diego.

Charlie Sharples

Dear Editor:

Once again Michael Aguirre has failed to get his own party’s endorsement in his reelection campaign for San Diego City Attorney. He failed to get it when he first ran for city attorney and he failed again at the San Diego Democratic Party Central Committee Meeting held Nov 13, 2007. He was present but was asked to leave the room when his endorsement request was discussed. Some of his fellow Democrats described him as “Embarrassment to the party”, “erratic”, “unpredictable” and “liar”. (Red County San Diego 11/14/07) Aguirre’s popularity started to fade after Editor in Chief Russell O’Brien’s well written editorial in the GLT, “City Attorney’s Office shuts water off on gay community” describing how City Attorney Mike Aguirre has enjoyed wide support from the GLBT community but that could change now that he’s turning off the taps at the gay community’s bathhouses. O’Brien stated “With the SDPD down more than 300 officers and our community facing an unprecedented rise in violent crime, what logical reason could there be for sending undercover officers into a bathhouse? “ (GLT 2/15/07)

Now with Aguirre’s well documented campaign to close longtime LGBT businesses by manufacturing allegations and by threatening community leaders is it not time to consider fellow Democrat Daniel Coffey who is also running in the primary. Mr. Coffey has had a distinguished twenty year career as an environmental attorney and is a civic leader in our community.

Rose Prieto