An Open Letter from Debra Walker to Bevan Dufty
From: debra walker
Date: April 20, 2005 9:27:14 AM PDT
To: bevan.dufty@sfgov.org
Subject: Resolution against misogyny and homophobia
Bevan Dufty
Board of Supervisors
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689
Dear Supervisor Dufty:
I was appalled to see that you had pulled Peskin’s resolution calling the Residential Builder's Association and O’Donoghue on their public misogynist and homophobic remarks. What they have done, even in just the reading of the resolution, does not need a hearing to determine whether or not it is offensive. It is a matter of public record.
I was at all of the hearings about choosing an interim director at the Department of Building Inspection. The attacks against Amy Lee - the testimony- was beyond offensive. O’Donoghue was there, passing out scripts to people, smiling as the slurs were being hurled. Women and women's organizations across the spectrum have expressed their objection to this. O'Donoghue claims that he meant no harm by the "gay-baiting" poem to Newsom, but it comes on the heels of decades of homophobic slights—from a flyer of Ammiano and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence distributed outside Catholic churches, clearly meant to fan the flames of homophobia, to standing as his minions, hiding in the crowd, call out “faggot” and dyke” as I and others walk by them into hearings. The published incidents of intimidation are endless.
I am sure this will be one of those decisions you will question often. Our community has been put through enough bullying by these people. It is over due that this behavior be stopped. Except, you buckled to Joe’s demands, for reasons we are all anxious to hear. What is worse, is that because you are a gay supervisor representing the district with the largest LGBT population, you have given him credibility he does not deserve in the queer community.
Homophobia and sexism don’t need explaining, Bevin. A parade of RBA personal contacts and folks on the RBA payroll won’t change the hurt that has been caused. It only serves to inflict even more pain on those already victimized.
I know you have, in the past, proclaimed a deep commitment against sexism and homophobia, but this says just the opposite.
Debra Walker
Northern California Vice-Chair of the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus
of the California Democratic Party
Date: April 20, 2005 9:27:14 AM PDT
To: bevan.dufty@sfgov.org
Subject: Resolution against misogyny and homophobia
Bevan Dufty
Board of Supervisors
City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689
Dear Supervisor Dufty:
I was appalled to see that you had pulled Peskin’s resolution calling the Residential Builder's Association and O’Donoghue on their public misogynist and homophobic remarks. What they have done, even in just the reading of the resolution, does not need a hearing to determine whether or not it is offensive. It is a matter of public record.
I was at all of the hearings about choosing an interim director at the Department of Building Inspection. The attacks against Amy Lee - the testimony- was beyond offensive. O’Donoghue was there, passing out scripts to people, smiling as the slurs were being hurled. Women and women's organizations across the spectrum have expressed their objection to this. O'Donoghue claims that he meant no harm by the "gay-baiting" poem to Newsom, but it comes on the heels of decades of homophobic slights—from a flyer of Ammiano and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence distributed outside Catholic churches, clearly meant to fan the flames of homophobia, to standing as his minions, hiding in the crowd, call out “faggot” and dyke” as I and others walk by them into hearings. The published incidents of intimidation are endless.
I am sure this will be one of those decisions you will question often. Our community has been put through enough bullying by these people. It is over due that this behavior be stopped. Except, you buckled to Joe’s demands, for reasons we are all anxious to hear. What is worse, is that because you are a gay supervisor representing the district with the largest LGBT population, you have given him credibility he does not deserve in the queer community.
Homophobia and sexism don’t need explaining, Bevin. A parade of RBA personal contacts and folks on the RBA payroll won’t change the hurt that has been caused. It only serves to inflict even more pain on those already victimized.
I know you have, in the past, proclaimed a deep commitment against sexism and homophobia, but this says just the opposite.
Debra Walker
Northern California Vice-Chair of the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus
of the California Democratic Party
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