In my many travels, I sometimes spot San Diego tourist TV ads in my hotel room entitled something like, “Happy happens in San Diego.” The slogan and commercials come across as silly and not exciting at all. Someone needs to change these awful San Diego tourist commercials. As for me I’m off to Oklahoma, then New York.
Kehoe vs. Dumanis vs. DeMaio?
Much of the local political buzz is that termed-out State Senator Christine Kehoe is indeed seriously looking at a possible race for San Diego mayor next year. And let’s say I got this confirmed practically from the horse’s mouth … as they say.
Kehoe’s possible entry into the mayor’s race has not shaken any of the prominent Democrats and Republicans who have endorsed District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, as they have told me they are sticking with Bonnie all the way … period. Many LGBT business people and leaders I’ve talked to view Kehoe as a possible “spoiler” in this race, taking votes from a possible Congressman Bob Filner campaign and others.
As for me, I think Chris Kehoe should stay out of this race and take that rumored high position in Governor Brown’s administration.
Word is that Councilman Carl DeMaio would love it if Kehoe enters the race believing that she would split not only the Democratic but women’s vote. Don’t forget that during the recent Republican Party State Convention DeMaio blasted Kehoe in his speech, for even thinking about coming back to San Diego city politics.
But DeMaio has his own growing detractors in his bid to be our next mayor. There are now car bumper stickers out that say: “ABC … Anybody, But Carl!” And of course, the growing anti-Carl website: dirtydemaio.com Nicolemrsd@aol.com.
Next year’s mayor’s race is looking like a huge old-fashioned political gunfight in the “OK Corral,” and maybe the most vicious and nasty mayoral race in our city’s history.
Manchester Hotel boycott to end?
Last Wednesday, I was on a conference call with LGBT leaders as well as union activists (including Cleve Jones) to discuss the selling of the Manchester Hotel to new owners and the possible ending of the international LGBT boycott of the hotel. It was a very productive discussion and plans are being made to hold a big celebration of this successful boycott in San Diego. More information to follow.
Supreme Court got it all wrong
To me there is a point in the crossing of the line when it comes to free speech and the First Amendment. What has our country come to when parents cannot bury their soldier sons and daughters who have lost their lives defending America? I am saddened and, yes, angry by the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of the hate-filled so-called Westboro Baptist Church.
I hope we will all join the effort of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States campaign to get every state of the union to strengthen their laws to help military families from future protests and great emotional pain that can be just as debilitating as any physical injury.
Russian gay activist flips out
Both Charlie Sheen and Nikolai Alekseev must be smoking the same stuff, because last week Russian gay activist Alekseev went on a rampage attacking so-called California gay leaders as “fat cats” and living off poor Americans. His California visits to West Hollywood, San Francisco and Palm Springs were cancelled after the Russian’s anti-Jewish statements were discovered and when he also called Secretary of State Hilary Clinton a c**t.
Seems Alekseev has turned out to be nuttier than a fruitcake. This is sad, because he has done some courageous things for LGBT rights in Moscow.
Alekseev has now told the press that he is going to expose the so called “corruption” of the California gay leadership.
I would recommend that Alekseev join fellow bigot – that would be fashion designer John Galliano in Arizona at that now infamous dry-out rehabilitation center. That these two well-known gay “celebrities” would ever utter such anti-Semitism is a total disgrace to our community. They both should be dropped off every list and be unwelcome at any gay event.
Vancouver, Canada
I just love Canada – the land of gay marriage, gays in the military and free health care for all its citizens. Their money is now worth more than the American dollar so now Canadians are actually going to the USA to shop for groceries every day.
Well, they booked me into the Grandville Island Hotel. Yes, on a beautiful island oasis minutes away from downtown Vancouver. While it’s a stunning hotel, it was just too modern and spaceship-like for me.
This is the land of “curling,” which is an actual true sport that they love but to me is as exciting as watching paint dry. It’s interesting because in Canada the gay publications are English and French ones … and yes the men are hot, hot, and hot. I wasn’t here for a social visit, but for speeches and LGBT youth fundraising events.
The North American Out Games are coming to Vancouver July 25-31 and I had a private meeting with its Chair, John Boychuk. We talked about the International Human Rights Conference, which is taking place this same weekend that I may attend. I had the honor of presenting international civil rights awards to three elected members of the Canadian Parliament, two straight women and a gay man: the Honorable Dr. Hedy Fry, former secretary of state; Penny Priddy, the only woman in Canadian history to ever be elected to every level of government; and Bill Siksay, the first openly gay to be elected to Canada’s Parliament and a well respected gay leader over three decades.
I also had the pleasure of presenting awards to Professor James Miller, the founder of the prestigious first-ever LGBT Pride library on a Canadian university campus … also Helen Kennedy, the national director of Egale Canada and co-chair of ILGA North America. I also met with the founder of the Rainbow Community Christian Church of Canada Pastor Ron Emberly. But my biggest honor and pleasure was presenting an award to the Greater Native Cultural Society of the First Nation of Canada.
Hopefully I will be returning to Canada this summer and will be able to party more!
Lady Gaga’s “Born this Way”
Now our LGBT community finally has a new song. It’s the one that Lady Gaga has dedicated to all of us: “Born This Way.” I love it.
Let’s retire Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and Judy Garland’s “Over The Rainbow” (I love Patti Labelle’s version better.). Yes, let’s retire these songs for awhile and truly celebrate “Born This Way.” We love you, Lady Gaga!
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a City Commissioner and has served the last five mayors of San Diego. Nicole is a past state president of Equality California and has served on the national boards of the HRC and NGLTF. He is currently a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and Chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico.
