A Maumee Municipal Court judge is apologizing for letters to the editor he wrote as an Ohio State University student in the 1990s, in which he suggested, among other things, that gay AIDS patients deserved to be afflicted with the deadly disease.
Judge Dan Hazard in December, 1992, wrote a letter in the student newspaper, the Lantern, stating homosexuals "squeal for money and AIDS treatment.” He suggested in the letter that all AIDS research be cut off because "95 percent of those inflicted with the deadly disease pretty much deserve it anyway."
"There has been a recent outcry on the behalf of these 'citizens' for equal treatment under the law," Mr. Hazard wrote as a sophomore at OSU. "Equal treatment for people that many still think of as savages ... These people think they deserve equal treatment under the law. I challenge anyone to name any civilized nation that looks at queers as 'normal' human beings. There just aren't any."
WTOL-TV, Channel 11, first broke news of the the judge’s letters from his time at Ohio State.
Judge Hazard, who was elected judge in 2017, provided a statement Thursday to The Blade calling his words “reprehensible” and “deplorable:”
"I wrote this [letter] and another of the same tone as a teenage college student 27 years ago and by no means hold those beliefs today. I have zero excuse and could not attempt to justify it then or now. It was hurtful to anyone that saw it in 1993 or today. I am sorry that it will hurt even more people today including my gay and transgender family and friends whom I love dearly.
“Throughout my career, I have befriended and represented many gay clients. I have done so zealously without reservation. One of the first weddings I officiated after taking the bench was of a same-sex couple. I did so with respect and dignity. Every day I treat every litigant and attorney with that same respect no matter their background, experience or gender identity and will continue to do so.
“I am glad that this allows me to clarify my views that have drastically changed over time. Respect is owed not only in the courtroom but in all of society."
He wrote a second letter in April, 1993, shortly after hundreds of thousands of people participated in a gay rights march in Washington. Judge Hazard questioned if the gay lifestyle was safe, citing statistics indicating the average age of death for a person with AIDS was 39.
"I beg of the homosexual community one thing: Please keep your AIDS to yourselves," he wrote.
Equality Toledo executive director Sheena Barnes was made aware of the remarks Thursday.
“Despite the years that have passed, the words are still deeply harmful to our community,” she said. “This article still showcases the hatred and stereotypes the LGBTQ community fights against today in 2020. We understand the judge recognized his thoughts as harmful, and we welcome him and his staffers to stop by our office for training or conversation.”
Copies of the first and second letter can be found in the Lantern’s online archives.
A message left Thursday with Ohio Disciplinary Counsel Joseph Caligiuri was not returned.
Judge Hazard’s seat is nonpartisan, but he is a registered Republican according to online voter records. He worked as a lawyer for 16 years prior to being elected judge.
First Published January 23, 2020, 9:34 p.m.
