She doesn’t talk about it a lot but Toni was born to very poor working parents in the rural South with no electricity or running water; (yes, an outhouse in the back). But she got an education and this past Saturday she was asked to deliver the commencement address at Emory and Henry College, her 1984 alma mater.
The title of her speech was I have dreamed on this mountain. And, indeed, one of San Diego’s most hard working and beloved public servants is living proof of the American dream and success story.
Both Toni and her partner, Jennifer LeSar, were introduced at the ceremony by the college president. Needless to say, Toni has become an inspiration and role model for not only GLBT students but women and all students.
“You make a difference by who you are,” she told the 2013 graduating class which included the elected senior orator who had just come out to his parents and was quickly disowned.
An older Southern lesbian couple told Toni how proud they were of her. Former deputy mayor, now state Assembly Majority Leader, Toni Atkins has never forgotten where she came from and she has given a voice to the voiceless and is, indeed, not only the pride of San Diego, but of the South.
San Francisco Pride did the right thing
I most respectfully disagree with the recent stand of SAME/San Diego and wholeheartedly support the decision of San Francisco Pride revoking the nomination of Pfc. Bradley Manning as one of its 2013 grand marshals.
I agree with San Francisco Pride that Manning’s actions “placed in harm’s way the lives of our men and women in uniform.” National gay veteran leader, George Garhart told me that a vast majority of GLBT veterans consider Pfc. Manning a traitor to his country.
People, politics and opinions
This past weekend, the Republican Party of San Diego held its annual “Lincoln/Reagan Dinner” and word is that Carl DeMaio got one of the very few prolonged standing ovations as talk that evening was about DeMaio’s plans to run for Congress next year.
By the way, congratulations to Johnathan Hale and Carl DeMaio on their 4th anniversary.
Last week, I had dinner with District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis who is facing a “ Donald Trump-like” wealthy attorney as an opponent. This guy flies on a lot of private jets, owns houses and drives expensive cars. His first run for office, this guy, like Mitt Romney, is out of touch with the average hard working San Diegan.
Susan Atkins is taking the lead in getting a beautiful stained glass window in our new downtown library (opening in Sept.) to be sponsored by our GLBT community … great idea!
While Nathan Fletcher became a new “Clinton Democrat” his equally popular wife, Mindy, recently attended the new Bush Presidential Library in Texas, as she served as his national press secretary of his 2000 campaign.
Top council aide Anthony Bernal will try to succeed his boss, Todd Gloria in 2016 and this race could also include Stephen Whitburn, Chris Ward and Laurie Coskey.
Oceanside’s popular ex-Marine state Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, a conservative Republican came out for marriage equality!
I say Olga Diaz for mayor of Escondido in 2014!
Let’s support the efforts to name a court house in honor of the late district attorney, Ed Miller who I got to know better when we served on the “Kitchen Cabinet” of former City Attorney Mike Aguirre. Ed was a great man.
Check out the May issue of Pacific magazine and the Todd Gloria interview.
Fred Maas: for decades a fighter for equality
Can’t we move on from the 2012 mayoral race? Various media outlets continue to run stories about the supposed shady backroom dealings of both campaigns.
Hello world! There isn’t a campaign or media outlet that does not do background checks on candidates and their spouses, period.
For one media outlet to accuse Fred Maas of “gay bashing” is so way off base and ridiculous. Maas has been a longtime and respected supporter of GLBT equality and many GLBT candidates. He puts his money where his mouth is and writer Scott Lewis should wash his mouth out with soap for his recent psycho attack on Fred Maas.
Supporting women with HIV-AIDS
Every year the good people of Christie’s Place hold a retreat for women living with HIV-AIDS. This is a badly needed chance for them to step back from everyday life, reflect and re-energize.
Now this 5th annual event is badly in need of financial support if it’s going to happen. Bonnie Dumanis was one of the first to write a personal check and the Imperial Court has made a pledge. Let’s support these women. Contact Christie’s Place or Carolina Ramos at The Center 619-692-2077.
‘Red Dress Party’ coming to San Diego!
Finally, the super-popular and outrageous Red Dress Party is coming to San Diego. (Via Las Vegas, New York etc.) A totally fun event where every man and woman comes in a red dress to the HIV-AIDS event or you can’t enter.
A big list of San Diego VIPs will be hosts of this event that is being organized by Rich’s and the Imperial Court.
Cleve Jones
On the subject of heroes, I attended a reception in Phoenix, Ariz. this past Sunday at the beautiful home of M.C.C. pastor, Rev. Brad Wishon for international human rights activist Cleve Jones who founded the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt and was the historic consultant to the Academy award winning film, Milk.
As many times as I’ve heard my good friend speak these last decades, Cleve remains inspiring and so eloquent as he always speaks from the heart. Yes, I consider myself blessed to have met people like Rev. Troy Perry, Cesar Chavez, Harvey Milk, Loretta Scott King, Morris Knight, Robin Tyler, Stuart Milk, Jose Julio Sarria and, yes, Cleve Jones. I’ve gotten to work with and know many of them and for me, a gay Latino activist for more than 45 years, these are some of my personal role models and heroes.
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 six 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
Are you completely certifiable? This is a social column but you have spent years attacking people and then you just drop a one liner congratulating a couple on spending 4 years together??? Are you kidding me? Is it just me or is this like a bi-polar disorder? It’s like Kathy Griffin sending a holiday card to Sarah Palin wishing her joyous holiday season and truly meaning it. Pick a side and stick with it. There is nothing wrong with being cordial to enemies or opponents, but you go from exposing someone who changes their name because of a sketchy past, admitting you can’t stand his political boyfriend and then wishing them 4 years together. Is the short term memory gone? Do you remember what you write? Good luck.