As a Latino I can look proudly at schools named after Latino heroes, role models and civil rights leaders … as can Latino youth and other students. But there are no schools named after outstanding GLBT citizens; however this may change, as this week the GLBT Historic Task Force of San Diego County began the official process to get a school named or renamed after former state Sen. Christine Kehoe.
Yes, this is the same Historic Task Force that successfully got the City of San Diego to name a street after Harvey Milk and is looking into establishing a San Diego AIDS memorial.
Indeed, state Sen. Kehoe is a historic figure as she is the first elected gay official in San Diego. (I often refer to her as San Diego’s very own Harvey Milk.)
When Kehoe ran and was first in office she received a lot of hate mail and it wasn’t easy for this true pioneer and her life-long partner Julie Warren.
State Sen. Kehoe has served all San Diegans with distinction and honor in the City Council, state Assembly and state Senate and the GLBT Historic Task Force will keep the community informed of our progress.
We would like to thank Kevin Beiser (vice president, San Diego Unified School Board) for his assistance in our goal.
A sailor re-enlists
Petty Officer 1st Class Duncan Stewart has served our nation in the Navy these last 13 years and recently re-enlisted for another six years.
I have had the honor to be one of his mentors and this past weekend Gregory Swales and I were his civilian guests at his swearing-in ceremony on his naval base.
It was great to see so many of his fellow sailors also show up for his re-enlistment ceremony as it’s good to see in person and up close how one’s sexual orientation has no bearing on one’s duty to country and friendships with fellow soldiers.
Jeri Dilno and Larry Baza honored as ‘Local Heroes’
Long-time social justice advocates Jeri Dilno and Larry Baza were recently honored by KPBS and Union Bank at their 15th annual Local Heroes of San Diego honors at the Natural History Museum.
Black, Latino, Asian Pacific American, Jewish, women, disabled and Native American heroes are recognized every year and 2013 became only the second year that two individuals from the GLBT community were honored.
Among this year’s Heroes, along with Dilno and Baza, was a Holocaust survivor (her entire family was killed), a bishop, a survivor of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan, a founder of San Diego Hospice and a Native American tribal chief and chairman.
Both Jeri and Larry spoke movingly and did our community very proud.
I had some great conversations with Police Chief Bill Lansdowne, Mayor Bob Filner, County Supervisor Ron Roberts, Frank Robinson (vice president, Union Bank), Mike and Patrick (anotetomykid.com), Sharon Gorevitz (executive, KPBS), City Commissioner Bruce Abrams and Fentress Ott.
Thank you KPBS and Union Bank for another outstanding and wonderful event.
Victory Fund Brunch draws more than 300
The annual Victory Fund Brunch most certainly draws the most powerful and influential GLBT San Diegans and their allies every year and this past Sunday was no exception.
Former state Sen. Christine Kehoe was honored for her decades of public service and among the speakers were state Assembly Leader Toni Atkins, who looked smashing in a beautiful business suit. Our new county supervisor, David Roberts (very good speech), District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis (love your hair), Council President Todd Gloria, City Commissioner Robert Gleason (in a fabulous-looking suit and tie), Victory Fund National President Chuck Wolfe (a truly unsung hero of our equality movement) and the keynote speaker, Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims who was the best guest speaker – ever!
San Diego is proud to be the home of the Victory Fund’s national chair and vice chair, Commissioners Susan Atkins and Robert Gleason.
Fourth District City Council candidates Myrtle Cole and Dwayne Crenshaw were in attendance as were Mayor Bob Filner and the first lady of San Diego, Bronwyn Ingram.
While I believe this is one of the most important events and political fundraisers of our community, I have only one question: why is the food, almost always, so bad?
SOHO is wrong
The leaders of Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO) are wrong when they say that most San Diegans support their obstructionist campaign to stop the plan to remove traffic and parking from the heart of Balboa Park. A vast majority of us supported this plan and are very appreciative of philanthropist Irwin Jacobs’ outstanding commitment to this effort and City Council President Todd Gloria’s leadership.
SOHO destroyed many of us long-time San Diegan’s dream of a permanent pedestrian-friendly, traffic and parking free esplanade in Balboa Park.
Shame on SOHO.
First Imperial Court meeting: Feb. 20
San Diego’s newly-elected Empress XLI Candi Samples invites everyone to the first court meeting of her reign next Wednesday, Feb. 20 7:30 p.m. at The LGBT Center. Further info: 619-360-1232.
Great Maple Dinette opening
The whole town is talking about an exciting new restaurant opening next week: The Great Maple Dinette located at the old Brian’s on Washington Street.
Handsome owner Johnny Rivera gave me a pre-opening tour of this newly-designed place and it’s one of the best looking restaurants around with a fabulous menu including old-school pies.
Owner Rivera is also a restaurant partner of the super-popular Hash House and Tractor Room, both on Fifth Avenue.
Trust me, you’ll love this place. Further info: the greatmaple.com
Nicole,
Thank you so much for attending my reenlistment ceremony! It was truly an honor and privilege for me to have both you and Greg there. You both have been invaluable mentors to me and I thank you for all of the years of friendship, family and mentorship.
Always,
HM1 (SW) Duncan A. M. L. Stewart