San Diego Magazine’s “The 50 People to Watch in 2005” profiles 50 of San Diego’s most promising personalities. Described by the magazine as the “electric cream of the crop,” the accomplishments of those listed are quite impressive, such as Sarah Reinertsen, a 29-year-old Solana Beach resident who became the first above-the-knee female amputee to finish the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, and Donna Frye and Dick Murphy for their participation in one of San Diego’s most controversial mayoral races in city history.

As introduced in the article, these notables are not always highlighted because of their popularity; these are people to watch – not people to like. However, reading through the list of names, nearly all are San Diego movers and shakers. Most have achieved remarkable accomplishments or have overcome extraordinary circumstances in order to succeed – these are not just people making news, these are arguably San Diego’s finest –albeit one.

Tyler Chase Harper, the Poway High School student who wore a hand-lettered T-shirt with the words “I Will Not Accept What God Has Condemned” on the front and “Homosexuality is Shameful, Romans 1:27” on the back, has been honored as one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 people to Watch in 2005.” Harper wore the shirt on the National Day of Silence – a day of protest honoring the rights of GLBT youth who do not have a “voice” in schools – and was suspended for refusing to remove it.

Harper sued the school district last June, claiming that his suspension for wearing the shirt violated his First Amendment right to free speech.

The Gay & Lesbian Times agrees that he should be able to express his beliefs – that is his constitutionally protected right. However, that he was recognized by San Diego Magazine is absurd.

You’d think openly-gay San Diego Magazine Editor Tom Blair – increasingly visible within the GLBT community these days – would know better than to select an individual perpetuating homophobia and reinforcing hatred of a minority group. Blair said Harper was chosen because he is likely to appear in future headlines, in not because they endorse or support his actions.

According to Blair, many on the “Watch” list over the years have not been well liked, but were chosen for their propensity to make news.

It seems highly unlikely a student wearing an anti-Semitic or anti-African-American T-shirt would appear on the “Watch” list – so why is Harper? Shouldn’t prejudice against homosexuality be considered just as offensive as any other form of discrimination?

As much as Blair insists that being chosen for the “Watch” list is not necessarily an honor, let’s be clear, this is an award. In essence, San Diego Magazine is giving Harper their stamp of approval.

Last Friday, a reception was held for those selected. Decked to the hilt, the reception was held in an aircraft hanger, boasting roughly 500 guests, lavishly decorated, and sporting an open bar and a multitude of food stations for an A-List crowd to mingle with this year’s award recipients. This first-class engagement, complete with a private jet on display within the hanger, was thrown in honor of the 50 people to watch.

Later that evening, the winners were announced and actually given an award to commemorate the evening. To be clear, San Diego Magazine gave Harper a trophy, a tangible affirmation for his homophobic behavior, as if giving him a pat on the back and saying, “Atta-boy.”

And the topper: Harper was featured on the cover of the issue. The cover text exclaims “Who’s Hot!” featuring five of the 50 chosen and yes, Harper’s one of them. This tells readers, adults, youth, Harper’s friends and all of Poway High School – if you behave or hold the same beliefs as Harper, you may be privy to publicity, your picture on the cover of a magazine, get invited to and be honored at an awards ceremony and hey, why not throw in a trophy, too!

We feel Blair and San Diego Magazine owe their readership and the GLBT community an apology for such an offensive oversight. If not Blair, then publisher Kevin Leap should step up. Every publication makes mistakes. Those possessing integrity have the ability to admit those mistakes.