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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 28, 2005 SOU, community leaders rally against hate By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Administrators and politicians expressed shock at recent fliers urging the killing of homosexuals at Southern Oregon University, but some on campus say hate crimes are far too common even in more liberal Ashland. "I am not shocked by this and neither are my brothers and sisters," said Deltra Ferguson, coordinator of the SOU Women’s Resource Center. "We are under assault daily." Ferguson, who said she is a lesbian, was among 75 students, faculty and community leaders who gathered Friday to discuss the unsettling fliers found during the past two weeks. One of the fliers stated, "And the Bible says that homosexual offenders should be put to death ... So help eradicate homophobia now. Kill the queer." "I was a little unprepared that this sort of thing would happen in Ashland," said Mayor John Morrison, noting the community is known for its diversity and tolerance. Advertisement "There are some in our community that feel great fear right now," said SOU President Elisabeth Zinser. She proposed a 10-point plan, created with the help of students, to combat hate crimes. The plan includes more investigation, more training, more education and more respect for all people, including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. "We are here to promote love in this place, not hate in this place," Zinser said. Roger Wert, who is president of SOU’s student Senate, said he has been the victim of a hate crime recently. "This is happening to friends and student leaders," said the 19-year-old. "It’s happening to me." After the gathering, Wert recalled how six to eight young men accosted him and two women friends recently at a 7-Eleven in Ashland, making lewd sexual advances. After he stuck up for the women, one of the men said, "Are you going to defend your little girlfriend or are you some kind of fag?" When Wert told them he was, in fact, homosexual, the young men chased him to his dorm room, spit on him and threatened him. Ashland police Sgt. Teresa Selby said Friday that an investigation into the incident had identified "people of interest" but no suspects. Wert said the two women were in town trying to make up their minds whether to attend SOU or Portland State University. Because of the incident, Wert said, "They have since registered at PSU." At the gathering, graduate student Matthew Reynolds said classmates told him a professor allowed a student to complain that the class was biased in favor of homosexuals. The student reportedly said to the teacher, "You only gave the fags’ opinion." Wert later said he, too, had been in classes where the professor didn’t discourage disparaging remarks against homosexuals. Reynolds urged the school’s administrators to take a firm position against these sort of outbursts. "If some faculty head needs to be fired for what they’ve done, I hope that happens," he said. Reynolds criticized the administration for taking too long to alert students after hate crimes occur. Zinser responded that in Wert’s case, the administration wanted to give police time to investigate first. A campus safety alert was issued on May 3, three days after the early Saturday morning incident. Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, said the community needs to stand up and fight back against the bullies perpetrating these acts. "It saddens me that this conference even has to occur," he said. Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, said the people who posted the fliers "are not only ignorant, but misguided." Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, said the university and community should have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior. Esquivel and Buckley spoke from Salem via videoconferencing. Student Diana Smith, who broke into tears during the gathering, said the campus is finally working to make things better. "It’s unfortunate that it’s taken to this point to do something about it," she said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Advertisement s