The governor of Washington signed a bill legalizing gay marriage earlier this week and now I’m off to Seattle to help celebrate and give a speech.
Mayor, sheriff, majority whip, district attorney and congressmembers attend royal events
In the 1970s no elected public official would dare attend a “homosexual event” as it would be committing political suicide. The then mayor refused even to meet homosexual community activists because he felt there wasn’t really a homo constituency. Well, we have indeed come a long way, baby! At this past weekend’s 40th anniversary events for the Imperial Court, Republicans and Democrats comfortably mixed with drag queens and GLBT royalty from all over Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Among the VIPs in attendance at the Imperial State Dinner and Coronation Ball were Mayor Jerry Sanders, Congresswoman Susan Davis, Sheriff Bill Gore, Majority Whip of the state Assembly Toni Atkins, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Congressman Bob Filner (with his beautiful fiancée), state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, City Councilmembers Todd Gloria and Sherri Lightner and School Board Member Kevin Beiser.
About 1,000 people attended the numerous royal celebrations held throughout the weekend including Port Commissioner Bob Nelson, City Commissioner Robert Gleason, County Commissioners Ben F. Dillingham, Bruce Abrams and Frank Lechner, City Commissioners Larry Baza and Kevin Tilden, Dr. Bill Beck, Attorney Rick Kerman, Mrs. Alma Rosa Vasic, Alberto Cores, City Task Force Member Stephen Whitburn, Dr. Delores Jacobs, Attorney Robert Lynn, Chris Shaw, California Bank Senior Vice President Cindy Lehman, Bob Morris, N.G.L.T.F. Deputy Director Russell Royball, Harvey Milk Foundation founder Stuart Milk, Labor Council Director/CEO Lorena Gonzalez, Attorney Al Smithson and many more.
The Imperial Court sincerely thanks all the many organizations and agencies who sent representatives to show their respect and appreciation. As for those that didn’t … well, don’t call us, we’ll call you … and, oh yes, the check is in the mail.
Dear Johnathan Hale
While many people are not happy with your negative story on community activist and charity fundraiser Allan Spyere, I don’t really understand why you have always loved to kick a guy when he’s down.
You hounded Michael Portantino with media attack after attack and he, unfortunately, commited suicide. You and your “promise-ring” partner Carl DeMaio have attacked long-time GLBT activists and fundraisers who you guys call the “Golden Thirty” though many of them helped build the community and civil rights you and Carl enjoy today.
You, Johnathan, just love being a pit bull of negativity, ugliness and pettiness. You continue to push your two well-known pit bull puppies (on your payroll) who have drank the DeMaio/Hale Kool-Aid to write letters and blogs praising their blind loyalty to you both and kissing your ass to the point that they have lost a lot of community respect that they once had.
But, the truth is, Allan is, and Michael was a public figure so the media has the right to report on them and their lives. Hell, in more than 45 years of my activism, countless articles have been written about my past street life and drug addiction. So you are in your right to put media spotlights on these two gentlemen and many others you just plainly hate. But never forget, Johnathan Hale, you, too, are a public figure. 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.
Wow. Another vicious attack on community members and leaders by Nicole. This person has lost the plot.
SDGLN published facts – Alan broke the law and was aided and abetted by Nicole’s cronies who regularly have business or political campaigns promoted in this column.
SDGLN directed readers to a website where they could show support for Allan if they so wished.
This article is toxic and the columnist should be relegated to blogs and not a commercial publication
Thank you Nicole for calling the thugs at SDGLN out! They are vile and do NOT speak for our community. They are Devisive, Dishonest, and Dangerous. The 3 D’s. People see right through their bullshit.