‘Terrorizing children’: Davis residents condemn local transphobic activist | Opinion

Bourne harasses children

“Who is Beth Bourne? Q&A with Davis activist who stripped to protest trans students,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 25)

In Davis, Beth Bourne spends her time harassing children at elementary schools, junior and senior high schools. She has made many Davis children upset and anxious about going to school or local events.

Her method is ugly and attracts hate directed at our community.

Heather Braun

Davis

Davis is fed up

“Who is Beth Bourne? Q&A with Davis activist who stripped to protest trans students,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 25)

Local extremist Beth Bourne got exactly what she wanted when she did her strip show at the Davis Joint Unified School Board meeting: attention. She intimidates, disrupts, physically confronts and lies.

She is terrorizing children to become famous. We in Davis are fed up with her.

Claudia Krich

Davis

Matsui must pass her baton

“Sacramento’s Mai Vang emerges as Congress candidate,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 16)

With a president who acts like a dictator, it is good news for Sacramento that City Council Member Mai Vang is running for Congress. Rep. Doris Matsui and her late husband, Rep. Robert Matsui, have served us for nearly four decades.

Now, it is time for Matsui to pass the baton. She could remain engaged in our community as a mentor and consultant. We must accept the evidence-based reality that all 81-year-olds experience some type of decline.

Mai Vang, however, is ready and fit to pick up the baton. Let’s hope Matsui makes it a graceful pass.

Gail Marie Erlandson

Sacramento

Health care costs

“Health insurance premiums may spike in CA without action,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 8)

Our Republican-controlled Congress is about to inflict immense harm on middle-class citizens such as ourselves. Here is a real-life example: We are currently paying $880.83 per month for a family of two for our insurance. We have received a notice from Covered California that this will increase to $2,441.83 per month starting in January 2026 — very nearly tripling what we pay now.

We are too old to simply cancel our health insurance, but we may have no choice. Is it any wonder why people like us are actively working to unseat Rep. Kevin Kiley and his cohorts?

John Shiurba and Val Esway

Fair Oaks

Prop. 50 is all about Trump

“Prop. 50 isn’t about Donald Trump. It’s about protecting fair elections | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 19)

The Texas Legislature looked at this redistricting scheme a few years ago and decided not to pursue it because it was too risky. Now, President Donald Trump explicitly instructed them to do so. When they were in the discussion phase, Gov. Gavin Newsom brought up the idea of Prop. 50, but told them that if they dropped this questionably legal gerrymander, he would drop the proposition. However, Texas went ahead and passed it.

Prop. 50 is obviously in response to Trump’s attempt to rig the 2026 midterms.

Henrik Hansen, DDS

Fairfield

Long-term and short-term housing needed

“Sacramento bets on tiny homes to combat homeless crisis,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 22)

Kudos to Mayor Kevin McCarty for supporting the development of 135 tiny homes on Roseville Road. These units will shelter our homeless neighbors and help them stabilize their lives.

However, the mayor’s critical statements regarding permanent supportive housing were inaccurate and unwarranted. His assertion that Sacramento’s permanent supportive housing units routinely cost $1 million each grossly overstates the actual costs.

William Pavao

Sacramento

Kudos to UC Davis

“UC Davis vet school expanding with $110.5M in gifts, adds student slots,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 20)

Kudos to UC Davis for easing the ability of students from “underrepresented and low-income backgrounds” to attend the school and join the ranks of veterinarians who are so needed.

Many of us love our animals and are so grateful to the veterinarians who care for them.

Diane McGuire

Sacramento

Stop blaming meds

“Trump blames Tylenol for autism, dismaying experts,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 22)

Autism was formally identified in 1911. Tylenol wasn’t invented until 1955.

The spike in diagnoses? That’s from expanded diagnostic criteria and awareness; no Big Pharma boogeymen.

Stop blaming meds. Start reading history.

Paul Bacon

Hallandale Beach, Fla.