 "Photo: Erik Ljung / Staff Photographer")
 "Photo: Erik Ljung / Staff Photographer")
A large crowd gathered quickly in front of the Free Speech Steps yesterday for the Rally Against Hate. Students stood on the steps and in the crowd holding signs which stated: "Queer rights are civil rights," "One Love," the definition of "homophobia" and the Rainbow Flag.
"Are we fed up with hate at SDSU?" asked Ben Cartwright, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center at San Diego State. The overwhelming response of the crowd was a cheering "yes."
The Rally Against Hate was the LGBT community's response to a number of incidents it sees as hateful, including the threatening letter targeting a homosexual administrator that was printed in The Koala.
To address the homophobic letter anonymously signed "The Greek Community," two representatives from the Interfraternity Council presented a letter from part of "The Real Greek Community." The letter's intent was to show the community's true feelings of appreciation and respect for Doug Case, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
The representatives said although this letter was only signed by members of the IFC and Pan-Hellenic Council that they were working to create another letter with the whole Greek Community to demonstrate their resolve to work together as one united community.
Ayari Aguayo spoke on behalf of Gamma Rho Lambda, a queer-based social sorority, and said as far as the homophobic letter was concerned, obviously, they weren't a part of it. A few members of the sorority introduced themselves, giving their cultural heritage and sexual identity. Aguayo thanked other members of the Greek community showed support and said the rally is about all people who are oppressed.
Case spoke at the rally, wearing a T-shirt that said "Stop the Hate" and holding his poodle, Angel - who was threatened in The Koala letter - on a leash.
"The anonymous letter speaks volumes about the courage of the writer," Case said. "And that the person threatened (Angel), speaks volumes about their character. The intent was to intimidate me, but I will not be intimidated by anonymous cowards."
Although Case's initial reaction was to ignore the letter, because he didn't want to give the letter-writer any attention, he said that to not respond would be to say that homosexual slurs were OK.
He also said that for the Greek community not to respond would be to say that they think it's OK and he was proud that they spoke up for the real Greek Community and said the letter doesn't speak for them.
A few speakers brought up some things that the university is doing to confront hate and ignorance, such as creating a minor in LGBT studies and adding LGBT history to other courses, creating a "Safe Zones" program and changes to the non-discrimination policy to include a protection for gender identity.
It was also said that the California State University Chancellor supports a zero-tolerance policy of violence, which includes threats. Because of this, there will be an investigation to attempt to determine the writer of the threatening letter in The Koala.
While the rally focused largely on the concerns of the LGBT community, the Cross-Cultural Center director, the chairwoman of MEChA and the University President all spoke about confronting all types of oppression.
Tanis Starck, director of the Cross-Cultural Center, said the center advocates for underserved and underrepresented groups on campus to provide a safe space.
"If you or someone you know has been the target of a hate crime, it's important to report it to police immediately," Starck said. "You can come to the (Cross-Cultural) office for further support."
Starck said individuals or groups who do not accept differences, whether in race, sex, religion, sexual identity or others, do not represent the mission and values of the SDSU family and community.
Christina Lares, chairwoman of MEChA, said the struggle doesn't end at the rally and that everyone should take it with them and educate others. These ideas were echoed in the comments from a number of speakers, including University President Stephen Weber.
Weber said there are bigots among us and even as a university we are not isolated from hate and bigotry. However, Weber said universities and education are the best tools to beat back ignorance and rise above hate.
Like the other speakers, Weber encouraged students to speak out.
"Where silence is mistaken for consent, we must not be silent," Weber said.
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