Members of the UCSD lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community participated in protest against Borders’ decision to hold a book signing for outspoken radio personality Dr. Laura Schlesseinger on Sunday.
Schlesseinger, or Dr. Laura as she is known to her listeners, was at the Mission Valley Borders promoting her newest book,””Ten Stupid Things Couples Do to Mess Up Their Relationships.””
“”Dr. Laura is a joke,”” said Roosevelt senior and demonstrator Tara Barnes. “”What she proves to have expertise on is not her field. She spews endless fallacies… she is hateful and ridiculous.””
Schlessinger, a popular radio personality, provides millions of listeners with relationship advice. She has often been criticized for remarks seen by some as disparaging toward homosexuals.
Borders, however, feels very strongly about their customers’ right to make their own decisions.
“”Our customers are diverse and intelligent,”” said Gail Knippelmeyer, the Mission Valley Borders general manager. “”We at Borders have a commitment to a depth of selection. We offer over 200,000 titles and host hundreds of events each year. Naturally some will be considered controversial or objectional depending on the viewpoint of each customer.””
The protesters distributed colorful leaflets with information about Schlessinger and their demonstration to passersby and bookstore patrons.
The leaflets contained quotations by Schlessinger that they feel are hateful toward the gay and lesbian community.
One such quote, from Dec. 1998, said, “”I’m sorry, hear it one more time perfectly clearly: If you’re gay or a lesbian, it’s a biological error that inhibits you from relating normally to the opposite sex.””
They also provided appropriate quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr., that condemn hatred.
“”I just can’t believe an educated person would spread the type of hate she does,”” said Devon Gessert, a Muir senior. “”I think it’s sad.””
Organizing the demonstration was Sherry Wright, the director of public policy at the San Diego Lesbian and Gay Men’s Center.
The center sent an e-mail about the demonstration to all the related organizations, including UCSD’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Association (LGBTA).
“”We’re not here to protest Dr. Laura,”” Wright said. “”We’re here to protest Borders in their partnership with hate. [Borders’] sponsorship relates to college students because it sends them a message that [intolerance] is okay. This is important for students to know what’s really out there. Students looking into social justice, or other kinds of movement work, anyone really… they have to realize we’ve still got a long way to go.””
Around 100 demonstrators assembled in front of Borders, adorned with tiny rainbow stickers and armed with signs boasting messages such as, “”Pro Family, Pro America, Anti-Hate”” and, “”Hate is a four-letter word.””
“”There’s lots of energy behind it,”” Wright said of the demonstration.
In addition to the anti-Schlessinger protest there was a smaller counter demonstration in support of her.
Supporters of Schlessinger had signs of their own, proclaiming “”Love is a four-letter word too”” and “”Homosexuality is not in the Constitution.””
Many of Schlessinger’s supporters of maintained religious viewpoints, identifying themselves as born-again Christians or Jews who felt Schlessinger defended family values.
Schlessinger has had an on-air radio career for over 25 years, currently boasting 400 radio stations and 15 million listeners.
However, UCSD students were not among the Dr. Laura supporters.
“”We don’t want Borders to support those who support hate,”” said Joe Adams, a Warren senior standing near the front of the assembly. “”We are hoping to change Borders’ policy.””
Adams, along with other protesters, was surprised by Borders’ decision to invite Schlessinger, saying Borders is a “”company that is typically a friend to the gay community, serving gay consumers and hiring gay employees.””
“”I support Dr. Laura’s right to write what she wants,”” said Liberty Smith, a Ph.D. candidate of literature said. “”I do not support a store claiming to be a friend to the gay and lesbian community inviting someone like her for a book signing.””
Lindsey Burcham, a Muir college senior held a handwritten sing that read; “”Hate is not American.””
“”Dr. Laura spreads a message of hatred and oppression,”” Burcham said.
“”Dr. Laura preaches against really good people just because they are different than her.””
Schlessinger was unavailable for questioning because only those arriving specifically for the book signing were able to enter the bookstore.
Kory Schaff, a Ph.D student and Muir college instructor, demonstrated for over an hour.
“”I’m here to protest Borders’ support of people who are intolerant toward sexual minorities,”” he said.
“”Intolerance,”” said Schaff, “”is a bad thing.””
