Thank you, thank you …

San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Trevor Project call center in Harvey Milk’s old camera shop.

Thank you all for all your calls and emails about the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, but all credit should go to the hardworking committee and The Center.

Over 1,000 attend Milk Breakfast

The major article in this past Sunday’s edition of the Union Tribune stated it the best! “Harvey Milk Breakfast quickly becomes place to be” was the headline. “Event draws 1,000 of region’s big names,” stated the sub-headline and, “Only 3-years-old, San Diego’s Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast already feels like a civic institution.”

We couldn’t ask for better quotes and such mainstream media coverage. It was indeed a stellar event and as its founder/co-chair I want to sincerely thank and acknowledge the hard work of my co-chair, City Commissioner Robert Gleason, the outstanding Center staff and volunteers, Dr. Delores Jacobs and our Milk Breakfast committee as well as our co-presenter, the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission.

All of our sponsors and all of you who got up early in the morning and stayed until the ending (beautiful job to the MCC’s church choir), this annual civil rights event is successful because of many people, not just one. Thank you all so very much.

At my breakfast table were Stuart Milk, Mayoral candidates Congressman Bob Filner and State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, County Supervisor Ron Roberts, County Sheriff Bill Gore, Police Chief William Lansdowne, executive director of the San Diego Labor Council Lorena Gonzalez, president of the Hillcrest Business Association Nick Moede and Emperor Allan Spyere. You can well imagine the politics that were being discussed at this table!

In San Francisco for Milk Day

For the second year, I flew up to San Francisco for Harvey Milk Day and numerous events. A big thank you to Mark Dean of the beautiful Hotel Fusion who put me up for three days. Stuart Milk and I made the journey together with Allan Spyere.

We immediately went from the airport to the Harvey Milk Children’s Academy for Hotcakes for Harvey with students and parents. That night we attended an event at a wonderful Episcopalian Church where more than $3,000 was raised for the homeless children network (sponsored by the Imperial Court of San Francisco).

The next morning it was off to the HRC headquarters and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Trevor Project call center in Harvey Milk’s old camera shop (575 Castro). It was great seeing and talking with my favorite State Senator Mark Leno, HRC VP Fred Sainz (former top aide to Mayor Sanders) mayoral candidate Bevan Duffy, my best pal for decades Cleve Jones, San Francisco’s No. 1 political writer Mathew Bajko, super popular City Treasurer Jose Cisneros, former San Diegan now general manager of the HRC store Shane Martin, Trevor Project interim executive director David McFarland, the Sentinel super photographer Bill Wilson, San Francisco’s most read social columnist and legend Donna Sachet, Milk’s campaign manager Anne Kronenberg, Harvey’s good friend Danny Nicoletta, B.A.R. publisher and civic major leader Tom Horn, Emperor Frankie and Empress Saybeline, the ever popular State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, City Supervisor Scott Weiner, my good pal Wayne Friday and so many others in and out of the Milk rally and march.

It was especially nice to spend some time with Academy award winning writer Dustin Lance Black and his most handsome and wonderful partner Frank Fay who is my new Housewives reality shows sister! Lance has become a most articulate and moving public speaker and a most respected national gay leader. Bravo, Lance!

I also had the pleasure of spending some time with Mayor Edwin M. Lee who is doing an outstanding job. Mayoral candidate and San Francisco’s City Attorney Dennis Herrera was a most gracious gentleman.

Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black and his partner, Frank Fay

I also attended a reception at the posh Millennium Towers (55th floor) hosted by Armistead Maupin of Tales of the City fame and a private dinner at RN74 hosted by Fred Sainz and the HRC.

I also stopped by a reception hosted by the International Gay Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and got a special tour of the new GLBT History Museum (4127 18th St.). All I can say is wow! You must all stop by it when in San Francisco.

Police Chief deserves our support

As the saying goes, “There are always rotten apples in every barrel,” and like any Police Department in any city in America, San Diego has its own share of officer misconduct. With ongoing budget cuts, San Diego’s Police officers are underpaid and overworked.

Police Chief William Lansdowne has been the best chief San Diego has ever had, period. His outreach and relationship with our city’s people of color and GLBT communities has been outstanding and a role model for all police chiefs. I’ve been dealing with police officials since the 1970s and am honored to have been the first elected chair of the LGBT Advisory Board to the police chief, so I know a great police chief when I deal with one!

Chief Lansdowne has announced a seven-point plan to combat officer misconduct, including creating a complaint hotline. The mayor supports and stands by Chief Lansdowne and so should all San Diegans.

About booing Carl DeMaio

At a recent gay event, openly gay Councilman Carl DeMaio was booed by some after he was introduced. Though it was done by a few people, I feel even just one “boo” is wrong. We all know that the mayor’s race for 2012 has already begun and there could possibly be three candidates running from our community. If you disagree with any candidate and if you don’t want to applaud them, then sit on your hands but let’s not “boo” any candidate whether they be gay or straight.

25-year-old overdoses

Just recently, another young gay man overdosed on drugs. He was a very popular and nice guy and many of his friends are rightfully sad and upset. The thing is that most knew he was a real “party boy” and word is even his family tried to do an “intervention.”

What is also disturbing is that he overdosed at someone’s party and the hosts may have been too afraid to respond quickly and call 911 (there could be a legal investigation).

I come from the 1970s and have always been honest with my own drug problem. We take each day at a time (again thanks to the Alano Club and Stepping Stone). Please, if you know someone who is struggling with drugs, if you want to be a true friend talk to them, then reach out to them; you may just help change or save their life.

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. Nicolemrsd@aol.com.

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