Well, one of our community’s biggest holidays – Halloween – is coming up so be sure to play and party safe and don’t drink and drive.
Romney/DeMaio and Obama/Filner
In a few weeks, Americans will vote and decide if our country continues to go forward or backward. At the same time, San Diegans will be deciding the same thing for our city.
Mitt Romney and Carl DeMaio are both millionaires who are supported by the right-wing Republican and Tea Parties.
President Obama and Bob Filner are both Democrats with solid civil rights records.
Romney and DeMaio are both being supported by big business, homophobes and have hardly any support within the black, Latino and GLBT communities.
Obama and Filner have both received huge votes in past elections from the GLBT and people of color communities.
Both Romney and DeMaio are being supported by huge “PACS” funded by billionaires and millionaires and are both outspending their opponents.
Both Obama and Filner are being supported by working families.
The facts are that both the presidential and mayoral races are very much the same. Now, which ticket will you support: Romney/DeMaio or Obama/Filner?
Honoring a governor and state leaders of Oregon
Recently, I had the honor of presenting a civil rights award to the first and only elected woman governor of Oregon, Barbara Roberts, as well as Attorney General Evelyn Rosenblum and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, who rumor has it will be a future governor.
Yes, I was in Portland, Ore. and it was truly a gala affair.
Gov. Roberts and I had a great time and she may well be the keynote speaker at next year’s annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast.
This super-popular governor has been a longtime supporter of GLBT rights and is one of the most down-to-earth governors I’ve ever met. It will be great to have her in San Diego next May.
Openly gay Mayor Sam Adams of Portland is not running for re-election and though he had a bumpy road I still think he was a very productive and successful mayor and I will always cherish my “Key to the City” and being named an “Honorary Citizen” of Portland.
I stopped by The Grotto, which is world-renowned. It is 62 acres of beautiful trees, rivers and, of course, a magnificent rock cave carved into the base of a 110 feet cliff and is the model replica of Michelangelo’s famous Pietà. This place truly takes your breath away.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
There are more than 62 languages spoken in this Canadian city and so many great ethnic neighborhoods.
I was the guest of businessman John Ribson who owns numerous Wendy’s restaurants and UPS stores.
More than 1 million people turn out for Toronto’s Gay Pride parade and in 2015 the city will be hosting World Pride and 2 million are expected to attend.
Toronto is one of my favorite Canadian cities and its GLBT community is a very powerful and visible one.
I was filmed for an upcoming documentary on the life of one of its most respected activists, 81-year-old Robert Durel.
By the way, our very own Rev. Kenny Freeman just moved to Toronto.
Jose at Pasadena Playhouse
This week, I’ll be traveling to Los Angeles for a special screenplay reading on the life of Jose Julio Sarria, who will be turning 90-years-young in about a month.
Jose is a World War II veteran who in 1961 became the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in North America and of course in 1965 founded the International Court System which has chapters in more than 68 cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico. (Which I am the president of.)
The world-renowned Pasadena Playhouse will preview this first film script reading and it is written by Joseph Castel, directed by Danny De La Paz, with music by Giulio Barioni.
It’s very exciting that Jose’s life could be in movie theaters within a few years.
Rev. Troy Perry
This past week, I had a great conversation with one of America’s most prominent gay civil rights leaders, the Rev. Troy Perry. (Founder of the Metropolitan Churches of the world.)
Troy and I have been friends for decades and we talked about fellow long-time activists who are still with us and those who have left us.
Troy Perry has been one of our movement’s most important leaders and has given hope and comfort to millions of GLBT Christians just by being who he is and being so visible and outspoken.
I believe when the history of our GLBT civil rights movement is written, Troy Perry will stand tall as one of our most important leaders.
Hottest ticket in town: Nov. 19
The Birch North Park Theatre will have live on its stage, for one night only, Oscar-winner Dustin Lance Black of Milk/J. Edgar movies fame, actor Richard Dreyfus, Lance Bass of NSYNC teen idol group fame, comedian Lisa Lampanelli, the infamous Emmy-winning Bruce Vilanch and many other superstars for a gala benefit live reading of a landmark marriage equality play, 8.
Funds raised will go to the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER). Tickets are already going like hotcakes and there are some VIP seating tickets available. Get your tickets now for this Nov. 19 event. For more info, call 619-709-1867.
See you at Nightmare on Normal Street this Saturday
Yes, I will be returning once again as your “Mistress of Ceremonies” for the annual Nightmare on Normal Street Halloween street party in Hillcrest with $1,000 in cash for winners. Yes, I will be the usual “potty-mouth” pig-in-a-wig drag queen on stage announcing all those wild contestants.
It’s a night of outrageous fun for adults only and it benefits our LGBT Center. Just follow the thousands of people to Hillcrest this Saturday night.
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. nicolemrsandiego@aol.com
