Winthrop and Mather Houses have been the victims of homophobic graffiti five times in the past two weeks, and in strongly worded letters, House Masters have promised to do their best to find the culprits.

Vandals scrawled homophobic messages on Winthrop House message boards in two separate incidents over the past several days, according to Russell Deason, the House's tutor for bisexual, gay and lesbian students.

Michael A. Hill '02, whose Winthrop House message board was one of those vandalized, said this was the first time he had been the victim of such an incident. Hill is also co-chair of the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Supporters' Alliance (BGLTSA)

And in Mather House this Tuesday, resident tutor K. Kyriell Muhammad found homophobic graffiti posted on a message pad near his door. Two weeks earlier, a picture of the tutor dressed in a gown with the words "BGLTS Safe Zone" was removed from his door. Several days later, posters advertising the House's Queer Film Series--organized by Muhammad--were defaced.

House Masters said they were unaware of any link between the incidents.

Both Houses have promised to investigate the incidents and urged students who know about the acts to come forward.

Masters of both Houses sent letters yesterday to all House affiliates condemning the incidents and asking anyone with information about them to come forward.

Mather House Master Sandra A. Naddaff '75 said the House has not received any leads in their investigation of the incident. Deason said he could not comment on the status of the Winthrop investigation.

Calling the acts cowardly and ugly, Winthrop House Master Paul D. Hanson told The Crimson he felt that the acts stemmed from "serious moral depravation."