There were more GLBT Republican delegates at this past week’s state party convention in Sacramento than ever.
San Diego’s Republican delegation was led by Susan Jester (president of the local Log Cabin chapter and AIDS Walk founder) and “Mr. Gay Republican” himself former state Assembly candidate Ralph Denny.
For the first time all the candidates for state party offices stopped by and spoke at the GLBT Republican Caucus.
The state party’s new Republican vice-chair, Ms. Harmeet Dhillon is a woman of color from San Francisco who is very pro Log Cabin clubs. If there is going to be real changes in the Republican Party nationwide it will begin in California and all my statewide Republican sources tell me that things are really changing and the input of the gay Log Cabin Republicans is being welcomed and, yes even more importantly, sought after.
The Republican Party needs more members like Jerry Sanders, Kevin Faulconer, Ron Roberts, Bonnie Dumanis, Bill Gore, Carl DeMaio and Dan McAllister etc. And just this past week rising star, former Marine and a devout Catholic Republican Latino state Assemblyman Rocky Chavez came out for marriage equality and I say good for the popular officeholder in Oceanside. He is truly the hope and future of the Republican Party.
Many are saying that freshman Democratic Congressman Scott Peters will have a very tough re-election race with DeMaio and Faulconer being the top GOP names as possible challengers. I’m surprised to hear Carl DeMaio wasn’t at the Republican convention as he could become a state leader.
On that subject former Republican nominee for governor, Meg Whitman also recently came out for marriage equality. (I say better late than never for this millionaire businesswoman.)
Now the biggest topic of discussion I hear among San Diego Republican delegates was organizing a re-call campaign against our mayor, Bob Filner. Some people cannot accept defeat, be it by Filner or Obama. If you are interested in the Log Cabin Republicans San Diego check them out on Facebook.
Auntie Helen’s forced to repay misused grant money
The San Diego U-T Watchdog media reported that last week Auntie Helen’s was forced to return a majority of its County issued grant because it lied about how it was used.
The report called Auntie Helen’s a “troubled North Park charity” and I also quote from the report, “Auntie Helen’s has a history of questionable spending including more than $20,000 on dental work for Executive Director Michael Dudley and numerous meals, gas, groceries and one inflight movie.”
I’ve talked to some state officials who are also conducting an investigation.
Chelsea’s Walk
Council President Todd Gloria picked me up this past Saturday morning at 7 a.m., yes 7 a.m., then we went on to pick up the first lady of San Diego, Bronwyn Ingram to participate in the third annual Chelsea’s Walk in Balboa Park.
We three then hooked up with members of Team First Lady and it was great to see such a huge crowd.
Balboa Park hosts most of our city’s numerous charity walks and I don’t know how Todd Gloria attends most of them.
RuPaul’s ‘untuck’
Logo TV’s RuPaul’s Drag Race has become one of its most highest rated shows since the GLBT TV network was launched.
The competition between drag queens from around the country crowns a winner who now wins $100,000!
San Diego living legend Chad Michaels of the DreamGirls Revue (which I proudly started around the 1980s at then “Mr. Dillions,” now Rich’s) won the first “all-star” competition and his already international fame as a Cher impersonator has grown even more.
RuPaul’s Drag Race is an outrageous reality show which is lots of fun to watch but it is the half hour “after” show that has been getting very real in coming out stories, bullying and family rejects. And I mean getting very real with emotional and personal stories of pain and rejection that will get any viewer to cry and many I’m sure, to relate to these gay and transgender contestants.
This week’s story of a Texan drag queen was probably the most emotional and down to earth story ever aired and was at times hard to watch for any of us rejected by our fathers.
Yes, at times, RuPaul’s shows can be pretty outrageous, petty and, yes, bitchy but these special “untuck” moments take it to the best and highest levels.
Bourbon Street Fabulous Bingo returns March 26
Yes, once again, for one night only Fabulous Charity Bingo returns to Bourbon Street with Candi Samples, Allan Spyere and outrageous me as your hosts, Tuesday night March 26 starting at 8 p.m. sharp with more than $2,000 worth of prizes.
It will be like the good ole days but I won’t be a “nun” just an old crazy queen. Bring a children’s Easter basket as this will be a benefit for the annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt. See you at Bourbon Street March 26.
Harvey Milk Diner opening soon
Word is that the final paperwork is being handled for the first opening of a possible nationwide chain of Harvey Milk Diners with the first opening in Hillcrest by this summer! I know the super-popular location and what’s great is that part of the proceeds will always benefit the Harvey Milk Foundation.
So keep your eyes and ears open and soon you will know the location.
Oklahoma, New York, Denver then Washington, D.C.
Yes, I know I’m out of town a lot so please forgive me for not being able to accept your many invitations to events, parties etc. I’m off to Oklahoma this week!
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
Harvey Milk Diner – that is why Nicole constantly MILKS his name. In the interest of full disclosure on all things Milk, do you have an ownership interest?
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