The holidays are fast approaching so please support the Imperial Court’s annual blanket drive for the homeless and veterans; the food drive/grocery vouchers for GLBT parents and children and toy drives for GLBT families, most who are out of work. For more info: 619-692-1967. Thank you and God bless.
LGBT Veterans Wall dedication tonight
One of the first-ever LGBT Veterans Walls of Honor will be officially dedicated tonight Thursday, Nov. 10 6 p.m. at The Center and you are all invited.
The Ben F. Dillingham III and Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor of San Diego County will be one that we all are proud of. It will salute the men and women from our community who have served our country well on so many battlefields across the world. I hope you all will come out and give our veterans the respect and love they so very much deserve. See you all at The Center tonight at 6 p.m.
ACLU party: Nov. 10
Tonight at Rich’s there will be a great cocktail party, “Liberties at Night,” to benefit the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and you are all invited to show our appreciation and support to an organization that has been there for the “homosexual community” and GLBT civil rights since the 1950s. Yes, you read right – since the 1950s. We owe the ACLU so much for always being there for us; when sometimes we could not even be there and others were afraid to support us. This party at Rich’s, tonight, is from 7 p.m. and is only $35. This will include your ACLU membership. Your host with the most will be ACLU board member Stephen Whitburn. Come on over after the Veterans Wall dedication.
Veterans Day parade: Nov. 11
For many years I’ve been invited to attend the San Diego County Veterans Day parade. I have always been asked by many of our local veterans leaders and activists. This Friday’s parade will be so very special, as it’s the first time this contingent will have active duty personnel. The parade will be from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and start on Pacific Highway. Come out and cheer our veterans and active military. Yes, cheer all of them. God bless our troops and veterans every one of them.
Andrew Poat vs. Stephen Whitburn in 2016
As they say in politics, “The early bird gets the worm.” And four years before Todd Gloria announced his candidacy, we were already meeting to discuss his campaign. Many are already wondering who will succeed Todd when he terms out in 2016, as everything looks like a big re-election victory for Todd Gloria next year. You read it here first, as these two solid candidates have informed me that they will indeed be candidates for the third city council seat in 2016. And, I believe both will be frontrunners. Stephen Whitburn has great name I.D. and may have lost a county supervisors race, but he did carry every precinct in the 3rd District. He is a past president of Democrats for Equality, a leader against No on 8, an appointee of the mayor/city council on a city advisory board on marijuana issues, board member of the ACLU, etc. He has solid ties and friendships with Democratic elected officials throughout the county.
Andrew Poat was a lifelong Republican who has registered as an Independent, which has a sizeable affiliation in San Diego. He has supported and voted for Obama, Kehoe, Atkins, Gloria, etc. A much respected businessman who has very strong ties with the downtown establishment and business community. He has worked for state and local officials and is well versed on city issues. Both gay men will make outstanding candidates. Now you all have four years to keep your eyes on these gentlemen and make up your own opinions.
New city commissioners: Dr. Pat Washington; Dr. Joel Trambley
In the 1970s all of San Diego’s city commissions and boards were made up of mostly old white Republican men. The mayor of San Diego refused to meet with gay activists over police brutality and raids, because he felt there wasn’t really a “homosexual constituency.”
You did find hardly any women, people of color or homosexuals appointed to our city government or our police force.
Finally, these last two decades GLBT citizens have not only been elected to offices, but our mayor and city council have voted-in city commissioners from our community.
Two outstanding community activists/leaders were approved by our mayor and city council this past Tuesday at city hall.
Dr. Pat Washington is a brilliant professor and orator dedicated to the civil rights and equality of both her African American and GLBT communities. She has been a passionate and respected civil rights leader for decades.
Dr. Joel Trambley of Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is one of our community’s new generation of leaders and activists. A graduate from Johns Hopkins University, he was a leader in the No on 8 campaign and, since moving to San Diego in 2007, he has become involved in countless causes and organizations.
Congratulations to our newest city commissioners, Dr. Washington and Dr. Trambley – we are all proud of you.
Weekend of benefits, meetings and memorials
In a way I was kinda happy my doctor grounded me from out of state traveling for two months, as I’ve missed a lot of things in town. This weekend, I was able to attend Cory Huston’s and La La Too’s benefit show at Numbers to help Family Matters provide food for GLBT families and their children during Thanksgiving. I got to stop by Bamboo Lounge for the fabulous Candi Box’s of Reveal Store fame fundraiser for Being Alive and Special Delivery which drew a packed house. The Center was the site of the second annual Meatball Turkey Day Dinner which drew more than 200 people, and the food was outstanding. This was a benefit for Special Delivery and The LGBT Center and hosted by Anthony (Mr. Leather 2010), Glitz Glam and Mr. Leather 2011, Kurt. I also attended the memorial service of Scott Routh who was a big ole teddy bear, beloved by many. All of the speakers touched my heart when they spoke about Scott and I wished I had got to know him more. He was the partner of my good friend Jim Ginneli. In between all this were many meetings I caught up with. Yes, it was good to be in San Diego.
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.
