Brody's Notes... University of California LGBT Resource Center Vandalised

Photos By Cameron de Leon 

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Mar 1 | Undergraduate student Jennifer (Redacted) a student at the University of California's Davis campus reports that the UC Davis LGBTRC (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center) was vandalised Friday night. According to her, vandals sprayed homophobic graffiti on the center's entrance & windows. She writes:

"This is really ridiculous considering the recent incidents at UC San Diego with the Compton Cookout and the noose in their library."UC Davis: Swastika carved into Jewish student's door probed as hate crime" [ Link ]

Also, the UC Davis LGBTRC (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center) was vandalized Friday night. I don't understand! How can anyone do this?!? All of these recent events not only piss me off, but are also REALLY upsetting especially for the vandalism at the LGBTRC-- I go to the center a lot. I'm a volunteer there, too, where I occasionally facilitate a program at the dorms about combating hate speech (of all things!). I don't even know what to say. I guess one of my friends summed it well for me-- this makes me physically ill."

In a statement published today online in the UC Davis student newspaper, "The California Aggie,"  the LGBT Resource Center Staff said; 

"To the Campus Community,

On the night of February 26th the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center experienced acts of vandalism. The entrance to the LGBTRC was defaced with derogatory and hateful words that target the Queer community.

This vicious hate crime demonstrates the need for community centers like ours to exist in order to offer a safe space on campus and combat the homophobia, discrimination, and hate that is still prevalent within our society.

As a center we wanted not to immediately remove the vandalism in order to ensure that this hate crime does not go unnoticed by the campus community. Facilities and administration offered to clean it up immediately but we wanted to take this opportunity to educate the campus about struggles that our community continues to face. We feel it is easier to erase physical representations of violence than to heal from the ongoing impacts of this hatred. Erasing it makes it possible to avoid believing these things happen on our campus. We want to work towards a healing resolution.

The center will resume regular hours on Monday March 1st, from 9am -5pm. We will also be offering a town hall for the community to come together and express any concerns to collectively decide what actions should take place in the future.

The town hall will take place Monday, March 1st, at 5:30 pm at Regan Main (in the Segundo Dorm area).

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center is here to provide a large range of services for the campus community. In times like these, our presence on campus continues to be of the utmost importance. We have staff available to provide support, including a community counselor, who students can speak to. We know that homophobia is still common in our society and our role is to continue to provide the necessary support and education on campus and in the community. Check our website for a full listing our resources: lgbtrc.ucdavis.edu

We will take what was intended to hurt us and turn it into something that will empower us. We ask that you stay strong and to remind everyone that this act will not hinder, but will re-affirm the mission of this Center as it has always existed" 

Staff writer for The Aggie, Lauren Steussy, wrote;

"The entrance to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC) on campus was vandalized Friday night with spray paint and derogatory phrases.

In addition, early last week, a swastika was carved into the door of a first-year student in a Tercero residence hall. The sign was approximately two inches and was carved next to the door of a Jewish student residing in the dorms.

UC Davis Police are currently investigating both crimes. Police have not yet identified suspects for either crimes and request that any information regarding who might be responsible be brought forward."