Nobody deserves to be treated like that; nobody!

For me, it’s Governor Como for President in 2016. Let’s not forget it also took Republican senators votes for our successful Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and New York Marriage Equality victories.

John Sanfilippo, his family and Brian deserved better

This past Sunday, I believe God cried. He cried over how some of his shepherds hurt his flock. He cried at how the Sanfilippo family and Brian Galvin were devastated and hurt when the priests at Our Lady of the Rosary Church canceled the funeral Mass of one of God’s children and a devoted Catholic, John Sanfilippo.

I believe God cried as he did in 2005 when another of his children John McCusker and his parents, family and his partner David Trix were also hurt and devastated when one of his bishops also refused a funeral Mass only because John was gay. John McCusker was like a son to me, and John Sanfilippo was a long time friend and a Crown Prince of the Imperial Court de San Diego.

I know for many, old wounds were reopened and new wounds were made. Once again, the Catholic Church made many cry and hurt us deep into our souls and scarred our faith. I had talks with John Sanfilippo’s partner of almost 30 years, Brian Galvin and I could feel his pain. John, the Sanfilippo family and Brian deserved so much more from the church they belong to. A church should comfort those in time of death, not hurt them more.

I and other LGBT Catholics have petitioned our Bishop Robert Brom and respectfully, but firmly asked him to let us know his and the San Diego diocese’s position when it comes to funeral Masses and last rites for GLBT Catholics. I pray that the McCusker and Sanfilippo families and gay partners like David Trix and Brian Galvin will be the last ones to be hurt and scarred in God’s name and by his church.

Bishop Brom seems to have now overruled the parish priests decision but the Sanfilippo family and his partner Brian have understandably decided to hold the funeral Mass in another church.

19-year-old Marine going to Afghanistan

As many of you know, I have been a strong opponent to these “wars.” Recently I had a talk with a 19-year-old Marine friend of mine, who is gay, and he and his platoon from Camp Pendleton will be heading to Afghanistan in a few months. The 19-year-old Marine is also Latino and has a 25-year-old Navy veteran as a partner who is a close friend of mine. He will be sent to the frontlines and patrolling. Don’t kid yourself; more and more troops are going over all the time. I say bring all our troops home as we have lost too many lives already in a war we cannot … we will never win.

Will Kehoe endorse Dumanis or Filner?

After state Senator Chris Kehoe got her polling results, that she commissioned, she has decided not to run for mayor. But now everyone is wondering if Kehoe will endorse her good friend District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis or fellow Democrat Congressman Bob Filner. Some say Kehoe will wait to make her endorsement ‘til after the “June 2012” primary.

Last week’s City Beat interview with popular former city Councilwoman Donna Frye has raised some political eyebrows when she was asked if Carl DeMaio would make a good mayor. Frye stated, and I quote, “No, I don’t believe that bullies make good mayors!” It is believed that Donna Frye will not run for mayor again but instead endorse Bob Filner.

This past Monday night’s fundraiser for Carl DeMaio at Eden nightclub had about a dozen anti-DeMaio demonstrators picketing outside the event. Like the controversial DeMaio or not, he is still doing very well in recent polls.

By the way, state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher told me that he will not bow to some GOP pressure to drop out of the mayor’s race and endorse frontrunner Bonnie Dumanis. Nathan told me he is in it to win it. Latest polls show the top three candidates for mayor at this time are DeMaio, Dumanis and Filner but the primary election is still a year off.

Dwayne Crenshaw: a new voice

This past weekend, the local TV news networks covered the New York marriage vote and interviewed LGBT Pride’s new executive director, Dwayne Crenshaw, who was articulate and did us all proud. Crenshaw is the first person of color in the history of Pride to hold this position (long overdue).

I had dinner with Dwayne last week and he has many exciting plans for Pride and ready to take it to the next level and keep community input as a priority. While many are already talking about Crenshaw as a future possible candidate for public office, he tells me he is totally focused on Pride and I know we all wish him the very best.

Pool party, Soul Plates and Frida!

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending three great fundraisers.

First one was a big pool party at the beautiful home of popular Rich’s general manager, Ryan Bedrosian. It was a birthday bash for Emperor Allan S and more than $1,000 was raised for the Harvey Milk/NMR Student Scholarship (established in 1979). The very young crowd looked like my favorite International Male swimsuit catalog (Oh, the memories!).

Then it was off to the Inn at the Park for the annual Soul Plates event, benefitting one of our largest and most respected AIDS agencies, Being Alive! Great crowd with special guest Olympic champion Greg Louganis, who charmed everyone.

Next was The Center for the Frida fiesta party benefitting the Latino Services program. Did you know that there are more than 376,000 Latinos in San Diego? Well, let me tell you this also means a super growing Latino GLBT community. This year’s Frida event attracted hundreds. I even did a little salsa dancing myself!

A “Missiongathering” Sunday

Sunday, Kurt Cunningham, Big Mike, Cory Huston and friends stopped by the morning service of the new home of the Missiongathering Christian Church in North Park. While the traditional mainstream churches are losing membership, these new churches are growing in leaps and bounds. Missiongathering welcomes all and makes everyone who enters their doors feel at home in a true community of faith. Pastor Rich McCullen is very charismatic indeed and his sermons feed the soul and mind. It was impressive to see so many young people and members of our community. Their Christian rock band and singers were the bomb! The best I’ve heard. More info: missiongathering.com.

Send in your Nicky Awards nominees

It’s that time again to send in your nominations for the “Gay Academy Awards of San Diego,” the 36th annual Nicky Awards (set for Aug. 28). Plans are being made for another exciting night on the red carpet.

Deeply honored for the recognition

I wish to most sincerely thank all of you who have called and e-mailed me about the recent recognition that I have received. For only the third year, LGBT Pride was officially celebrated in the California legislature in a ceremony on the floor of the state Assembly. Eight LGBT Californians from all over the state were honored.

Among those honored were former Navy Captain Robert D. Dockendorf of San Francisco, Roland Palencia, the executive state director of Equality California from Los Angeles, author Judith Rickard, Valerie Spencer of the Transgender Leadership Academy, youth advocate and Bravo top chef star Yigit Pura as well as Hoover High School GSA leaders Alfredo Urquieta and Ingrid Cedeno. It was indeed an honor to be named with these outstanding role models. A special thank you to state Assemblywoman and Majority Whip Toni Atkins, Senator Mark Leno and Speaker of the Assembly John Perez.

For many years KPBS and Union Bank have annually honored two citizens for Black History month, Hispanic Heritage month, etc. This year for the first time they have included LGBT Pride month and selected citizens in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Dr. Delores Jacobs and I were honored as “Local Heroes” at a recent dinner at the University Club.

I hope to most sincerely do my best to live up to these two awards. Anything that I may have accomplished was with a lot of support and help from throughout my over 45 years of activism. Thank you, so very much. 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.