A standing-room-only crowd packed the Marriott Mission Valley Hotel last week for the 37th annual Nicky Awards, sometimes called the “gay Oscars of San Diego.” True to that billing, the Nickys included a live red carpet kick-off where interviews were conducted with local VIPs and personalities en route to the ballroom.
Allan Spyere, president of the Nicky Awards’ board of governors, welcomed attendees with video presentations that, as one award recipient said after the event, “showcased the Nickys’ heritage, purpose and continuing relevance – all that plus very respectable production values.”
Following the video presentation, Spyere introduced the Nicky Awards’ namesake and founder, Nicole Murray Ramirez, a longtime civil rights activist and city commissioner. By all accounts, Ramirez delivered a stirring speech about what it was like for LGBT people in San Diego in the early 1970s; and the progress the community has made during the past four decades. City Councilman Todd Gloria, who is openly gay, presented the Mayor George Moscone Award to KPBS-TV, for faithfully reflecting the diversity of the people of San Diego in the course of producing news, education and entertainment programming since the 1960s.
Shane Bitney Crone received a standing ovation when military veteran and gay activist Joseph Rocha and mayoral candidate Congressman Bob Filner presented him with the 2012 Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award. Crone moved the crowd with his speech about the death of his partner and his YouTube video call for marriage equality (San Diego LGBT Weekly, Aug. 23: Issue 92; cover feature), which has received more than 3 million hits.
Supervisor Ron Roberts, chairman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors presented the 2012 Michael G. Portantino Media Award to publisher David Mannis who has overseen the establishment and operation of more than six local publications in the last three decades. Currently, Mannis’ publishing company owns San Diego Uptown News, Gay San Diego, and San Diego Downtown News.
But, it was “Big Mike” Phillips who received one of the longest and perhaps the loudest roars of applause from the crowd when he received the 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. It appeared that Phillips was taken completely by surprise as District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis conspired with Ramirez to pull off a ruse that had the audience lulled into thinking she was delivering her acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award until the last second, when she named “Big Mike” Phillips as the actual recipient. Phillips was teary-eyed and rendered almost speechless as he took the stage and accepted his Nicky, saying simply, “Thank you; thank you” before exiting, stage right.
Dumanis spoke of Phillips’ big heart, saying that he is always working as an activist in the LGBT community. “He has been someone who (has always been available to be called on) for fundraising and volunteering for countless causes and organizations even during his own life’s toughest challenges.”
Lisa Sanders, openly lesbian daughter of San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, who Ramirez called “the first daughter of San Diego,” was presented with the 2012 Presidential Award by Allan Spyere who praised Sanders for her leadership and civil rights activism.
San Diego school board member Kevin Beiser presented the 2012 Man and Woman of the Year honors at the end of the event to Benny Cartwright, executive director of San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and Lisa Sanders. Man and Woman of the Year votes were cast during the program by those in attendance that night.
Among the outstanding entertainment was international personality Flava, who starred in the Academy Award-winning movie Milk and young American Idol singer Ms. Cherilyn Mallari, whose live performance of two songs, as one person put it “just about blew the roof off the ballroom.”
Renowned drag diva Grace Towers and her dance troupe garnered loud applause and cheers.
The 2012 Nick Awards benefitted The LGBT Community Center, the civil rights fund of the Human Dignity Foundation and the programs of the Imperial Court de San Diego, Inc.
The complete list of awards and winners (Alphabetically by award category)
2012 Mayor George Moscone Memorial Award
KPBS
2012 Harvey Milk Equality Award
Shane Bitney Crone
2011 Michael Portantino Outstanding Achievement in the Media Award
David Mannis
2012 Nicky Awards ‐ Special Honors
Big Mike Phillips
Outstanding Adult Business
Pleasures & Treasures
Outstanding Bank
California Bank & Trust & Union Bank (North Park)
Outstanding Bar Employee
Carlos Dominguez (Martinis Above Fourth)
Outstanding Bar Event
Church @ Babycakes
Outstanding Bar Manager
Chuck Ferrante (Bourbon Street)
Outstanding Bartender ‐ Female
Moe Girton (Gossip Grill)
Outstanding Bartender ‐ Male
Corey (Bourbon Street)
Outstanding Brunch
Urban Mo’s
Outstanding Business
Ace Hardware
Outstanding Business Man
Wayne Back
Outstanding Business Woman
Deborah Scott
Outstanding Community Activist
Patrick Wallace
Outstanding Community Event
San Diego Pride
Outstanding Community Organization
San Diego LGBT Center
Outstanding Community Volunteer
Aaron Heier
Outstanding DJ / VJ
DJ Nikno & DJ Taj
Outstanding Entertainer / Group
San Diego Gay Mens Chorus
Outstanding Female Personality
Kim Rescate
Outstanding Female Waitperson
Gaby Medina (R Gang Eatery)
Outstanding Hillcrest Bar
Urban Mo’s
Outstanding Hillcrest Restaurant
Arrivederci & Martinis Above Fourth
Outstanding HIV / AIDS Service Provider
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Outstanding Impersonator
Cassidy Richards & Candi Samples
Outstanding Levi / Leather Event
Bearnight @ Numbers
Outstanding Levi / Leather Personality
Glitz Glam
Outstanding Male Personality
Ian Johnson
Outstanding Male Waitperson
Anthony Pavlovic (Baja Betty’s)
Outstanding Neighborhood Bar
Pecs
Outstanding New Business
Wangs & Snooze
Outstanding Night Club / Dance Bar
Richs
Outstanding Nite Club Dancer
Marshall Alexander
Outstanding On‐Line Media
SDGLN
Outstanding Owner
Christopher Stavros (Babycakes)
Outstanding Performing Arts Venue
Diversionary Theatre
Outstanding Pharmacy
Mom’s Priority Pharmacy
Outstanding Publication
The RAGE Monthly
Outstanding Sports Organization
San Diego American Flag Football League
Outstanding Straight Ally
Jamie Fox
Outstanding Title Holder
Laur Darell ‐ Mr. Gay Black San Diego
Outstanding Transgender Personality
Connor Maddocks
Outstanding University Heights / North Park Bar
Bourbon Street
Outstanding University Heights / North Park Restaurant
West Coast Tavern
Outstanding Women’s Night
Repent @ Richs (607 Events)
Outstanding Writer/Columnist
Anthony King (Gay San Diego)
Outstanding Youth (18 ‐ 20)
Nick Fowler
Man of the Year
Benny Cartwright
Woman of the Year
Lisa Sanders
Are you sure you have the right list? Bacchus House and the Gay & Lesbian Times have been closed for years.
Thanks for the note. This list originally came from Nicky’s Facebook. Correct list is now up.
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