Interim Mayor Todd Gloria played a different role Sunday when he delivered a message at the Metropolitan Community Church about using one’s talents for the good of the community.
Gloria, 35, is the youngest mayor San Diego has ever had so far and he stepped into that role following the Aug. 30 resignation of Bob Filner. Gloria is the president of the San Diego City Council.
He was warmly applauded by more than 200 people at the church’s 11 a.m. service after he was introduced by Senior Pastor Dan Koeshall, who noted that he and Gloria met after they used the same fitness center some years ago.
“He’s a real person who sweats and works hard,” said Koeshall. “We have a wonderful interim mayor.”
Gloria alluded to, but didn’t go into the sexual harassment scandal that overcame Filner. “I thought how funny it is for a gay man to bring the drama down,” said Gloria to laughter.
Gloria said he was raised Catholic by his mother who was a maid, and his father was a gardener. He said recent comments by Pope Francis about gays show he “has come along” with acceptance.
“I am grateful MCC exists to give all of us a place to be,” said Gloria.
Gloria said people in general “think about what we’re not good at,” and they focus on the negative rather than what they are good at.
For example, Gloria said, in reference to his racial heritage, “I thought a brown gay guy wouldn’t get elected” to the City Council. A Democrat, Gloria was elected in 2008 to the Third District and re-elected without an opponent in 2012.
“Instincts are what God is telling you. How you can take those talents and make the world a better place,” said Gloria. “It’s in all of you to do something transforming. It’s our responsibility to take and use those gifts.”
“What a gift I have been given to take this city forward,” said Gloria. “I love what I do.”
Gloria was giving a standing ovation by the congregation as he concluded his message.
“He was very charismatic and showed a spiritual side of himself,” said Al Smithson, an attorney and long time elder at MCC.
“He was so good. I am proud of him,” said Mick, an MCC member.
Gloria opted against running for the nearly 3½ year remaining term for mayor in the special election Nov. 19. A run-off election will be set in January or February 2014, and Gloria will return to his job as Council president and District Three representative.
In 2005, Councilmember Toni Atkins became the first gay interim mayor after Mayor Dick Murphy resigned.
