Many of us grew up in the 1960-70s with Elizabeth Taylor. She and Joan Rivers were the first and only stars to take a stand to fight AIDS in those early dark, lonely years of the 1980s. We have lost a true goddess … a saint … the last true star of the 21st century.
A New York Celebration
World War II veteran and the first openly gay candidate to run for public office (1961) as well as the founder of the International Court System (1965), 87-years-young Jose Julio Sarria and I (the current chairman of the ICS) were invited to be guests of honor for the 25th anniversary of the Imperial Court of New York, which has raised almost two million dollars for countless charities, AIDS agencies and LGBT organizations. Emperor Allan Spyere of San Diego accompanied me and Jetblue provided my transportation and the Marriott Marquis Hotel at Times Square hosted the very grand celebration. The event drew more than 800 people, with such corporate sponsors as Google, TD Bank, Absolut Vodka, Jetblue, Miller/Coors, Coca Cola and Bio/Scrip.
At my table were presidential advisor and who Newsweek named the “most powerful gay man in America,” author David Mixner, who received the highest honor of the evening, also Lt. Dan Choi, Hugh Hildesley, vice president of Sotheby’s, the national executive director of the Trevor Project Charles Robbins. The honorary chairs were actress Sandra Bernard and actor Alan Cumming.
This event was a total class A event with everyone dressed to the nines and the huge set a constructed skyline of New York. Among the top entertainers were Zelma Davis of C+C Music Factory, Erika Jayne, Pepper MaShay, the cast of My Big Gay Italian Wedding and the girls of RuPaul’s Drag Race including Delta Works of California! Dance music was provided by DJ, the infamous Chi Chi LaRue.
Jose and I had the honor of presiding over the coronation of New York’s elected Emperor and Empress and sitting on two really beautiful thrones. My make-up and hair was provided by stylist to CNN’s Anderson Copper, Star Jones and many celebrities as I had to walk the official red carpet, which was lined with reporters and photographers. Among the many TV stars I got to speak with at the exclusive VIP reception were the TV housewives (and one husband) of New York and New Jersey! Many of the cast of Logo’s TV hit The A List were in attendance. My long-time, all-favorite, gay celebrity, one of America’s top photographers, Mike Ruiz was just as handsome and down to earth as he is on TV, and he is a true role model for both the Latino and gay community. His family lives in San Diego and we hope to get together the next time he is in town. The governor, U.S. senators and mayor all saluted the Imperial Court of New York and truly the LGBT power and charity elite were in attendance.
My five day stay in New York included many events and meetings including an almost hour meeting with My Princess Boy author Cheryl Kilodavis and her husband who presented me an autographed book signed by her four year old son and herself. The Kilodavis family will be coming to San Diego in the next two months.
I did get to see one Broadway show, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert! I did get to stop by one nightclub, The Web (40 E. 58th Street) and visited with my long time friend Bobsie who provided me with not only drinks and Asian cuisine, but hot go-go boys! My speeches were well received and my radio interview with In Focus went well with a special thanks to producer Dr. Dan Miller.
Needless to say, I return this week very tired out but with many wonderful memories of this truly Coronation of the Century. Very special thanks to ICNY President Gary Cosgrove, VP Bon Bon LaRue, Tony Montelone, Jeff Lube, Cherry Poppins, Venus, Goddess, 1969 Stonewall veteran, Feorta Maximilian, Mistress Emma, Florence Nightingale, Panzi, Anne Tique, Witti Repartee, Damian Valentino, Ray Say and National NGLTF Deputy Director Russell Roybal who now lives in New York. My love to Jack and Farrah and Vanity and Pepper’s number was pure art and theatre.
Fletcher debates Kehoe
San Diego political movers and shakers are talking about a recent debate between State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher and State Senator Chris Kehoe held in downtown San Diego with a big audience of business people. What everyone is talking about is that Nathan Fletcher definitely outdebated and outshone Chris Kehoe. Some said it was like the “future of San Diego against the past.”
The debate issue: state supported San Diego redevelopment, Fletcher for and Kehoe against. When the issue of reducing state employee’s salaries came up, Fletcher was once again all for it and Kehoe against. The problem for Kehoe’s possible bid for mayor is that now she comes across as a Sacramento insider and a long-time government bureaucrat after almost two decades in office.
Congratulations Craig Roberts
In the last decades, local San Diegan LGBT activists have been elected to lead national LGBT organizations almost all headquartered in Washington D.C. Currently Susan Atkins chairs the Victory Fund and Mike McGee is co-chair of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Now Craig Roberts has been elected as the co-chair of the influential National Stonewall Democrats. Good for him and good for San Diego.
A recent event honoring Roberts and his election was hosted by state and local Democratic office holders. While Craig and I have not and do not see eye to eye on many political candidates, I join many in our community offering our sincere congratulations.
Outrageous Bingo: April 6
You are all invited to a one-night-only, fun and outrageous Charity Bingo next Wednesday, April 6 at Bourbon Street, 9 p.m. to midnight with more than $2,500 in cash and prizes. All the money raised and Easter baskets collected will benefit the 8th annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt.
Your hosts will be Emperor Allan and yes, some crazy queen named Nicole! So, hope to see you at Bourbon Street next Wednesday night. Bring us your Easter baskets for the kids! Information: BourbonstreetSD.com. Nicolemrsd@aol.com.
Allan to be crowned XXXIX emperor
The annual Prince and Princess Royale Ball and Investiture or installation of the XXXIX Reign and Empress Erica and Emperor Allan is this coming Saturday, April 2 at The Center, 6 p.m. The community is invited to an evening of fabulous entertainment and pageantry in honor of one of San Diego’s oldest LGBT organizations which will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year. For more info, call 619-300-1232.
In memory of Toni Puente
While on the east coast, I got the call about long-time Latino/LGBT community activist Toni Puente’s death. She was a compassionate, saucy and dedicated San Diegan who loved both her Latino and LGBT communities. For well over 25 years, Toni Puente was an activist we could count on and involved in many Latino and LGBT groups, raising money for so many causes.
Toni was the first lesbian to be elected Emperor de San Diego and was a recipient of a Cesar Chavez Social Justice Award. She was like a daughter to me and called me mother. I will miss her deeply. 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. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and Chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico.
