Everyone agrees that the last campaign for mayor got really nasty and negative. Politics as a whole, sadly, has become that way. Many of us gay Democrats, including myself, join the bandwagon and I regret some of my writings. During this on-going mayoral campaign, I tried not to get nasty and negative but, once again, this mayoral race has at times become ugly and negative, and sadly within the GLBT community. One main reason I have tried not to get so negative is because of our young activists who got turned off to politics and public service. Respected young activist, Benny Cartwright, got so turned off that he wrote about changing his mind about ever entering politics. Young gay veteran and activist, Sean Sala doesn’t want to go public with who he is supporting for mayor because of nasty attacks.
I believe that both David Alvarez and Kevin Faulconer are decent men and have wonderful families. They both love our city and want the very best for all of us. I just don’t believe that Alvarez is ready to lead our city and lacks experience and have said so, without being nasty and hateful. I have had a friendship with Kevin Faulconer, our city’s longest serving current councilmember, and believe he is more qualified and possesses stronger leadership skills. The facts are that Alvarez and Faulconer both have solid GLBT voting records and our community is in a win/win situation. Sadly, some gay Democrats have gone very negative, nasty and dirty against Kevin Faulconer. Led by the controversial Linda Perine, who is attacking Kevin Faulconer as a made up, “Right Winger”, her writings are becoming more negative and filled with outright lies. It’s no wonder that Linda Perine was one of only three out of 26 mayoral staff members that Interim Mayor Todd Gloria fired and, of course, then Linda attacked Gloria in the press.
But probably the ugliest and nastiest attacks have been the ones aimed at Big Mike’s annual charity “Birthday Bash” coming up this Sunday at Harvey Milk’s Diner. Every year Big Mike has an honorary host committee of long time public officials and friends, both Democrats and Republicans. Big Mike has known Kevin Faulconer for more than a decade and doesn’t really know David Alvarez. Linda Perine and others have gone on the attack on this birthday charity fundraiser which benefits the Toni Atkins Women’s Health Fund (administered by The Center) which I founded. In fact, Linda Perine called me and kept trying to get David Alvarez on the host committee after the invitations went to print. But Big Mike and I told her that David was more than welcome and would be introduced, but this was not good enough for her.
I had hoped our community leaders and activists had learned from last years’ ugly mayoral race. But some just want it to continue. As for those haters and attackers of me, I am used to it – but shame on you for trying to harm a charity birthday fundraiser that has raised tens of thousands for countless charities. I hope now more than ever you will stop by this Sunday (Jan. 26) for Big Mike’s Birthday Bash at Harvey Milk’s Diner (5-7 p.m.) It has always been about charity, not politics. Thank you.
Gloria’s ‘State of the City’
Almost 2,000 people packed the Balboa Theatre for the mayor of San Diego’s annual “State of the City Address”. Before Todd Gloria was introduced to a roaring standing ovation, a video film of our city’s neighborhoods was shown and among the citizen’s featured was gay businessman, Chris Shaw at the Hillcrest Brewing Company and the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. The color guard was an ROTC student from James Madison High School, Todd’s alma mater where he served as ASB president. Only our own Todd Gloria would enter and leave the huge stage to the fanfare of a Lady Gaga top ten hit. (You’ve got to love our younger generation of leaders!) Todd’s BFF, Russell Roybal (deputy director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force – NGLTF) flew in from New York for this historic occasion and we all sat together with Todd’s rightfully proud parents and senior staff members. His chief of staff, Jamie Fox, has been by Gloria’s side since he entered public office. I agree with all the media coverage that our Todd Gloria has restored dignity and integrity to City Hall.
He has not only made his family and community proud, but all the citi
zens of America’s Finest City.
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for more than 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
Nicole should just be honest and admit she has transformed into a Republican. But then she has years of experience in transformations.
Faulconer does have the experience to lead–but in the wrong direction.
Conservative Republican Faulconer believes shipyards owned by out of state multi-national corporations know how to create a Community Plan for Barrio Logan much better than do the residents of Barrio Logan.
Conservative Republican Faulconer opposes a fee of a few pennies per square foot per year on new commercial constriction to pay for more moderate and low-income housing g in San Diego.
Conservative Republican Faulconer embraces the fraudulent hit pieces funded by his buddies of the Lincoln Club that “accuse” David Alvarez of wanting federal Block Grant Funds to go where there are legally required to go—to disadvantaged neighborhoods. Faulconer won’t distance himself from the false impression given in these hit pieces–that Alvarez is being “unfair” to La Jolla, Point Loma, Mission Beach because he wants these Federal funds to go where the are legally required to go.
David Alvarez has the wisdom, experience and good judgment to lead the City in the correct progressive direction.
Nicole is entitled to her political opinion, of course. She has the absolute right to be wrong—and she is.
When you support a conservative Republican for the key political office in this City, you are a de facto Republican.
Kevin Faulconer may have more experience but he is a Republican,and as long as Republicans support the Tea Party and Birthers and the 1% and anti immigration and anti gay policies and anti abortion and anti choice and anti contraception, I and many others will never support their agenda.If Nicole wants to support them,she should at least be honest and admit the real reason why she does. Because the real reason is that she thinks that Faulconer will give her more recognition in her self appointed role as “Mayor of Hillcrest”
I had to smile when reading the headline to your column, Nicole… “Some gay Democrats are getting really nasty”
Perhaps they have learned it from you.
This is a joke! Nicole, everyone knows you are behind much of the drama and attacks within our community. And Sean Sala, Benny Cartwright, and Ricky Cervantes are just as guilty, as they and you constantly judge and attack others with prejudice and maliciousness. I’m sick and tired of yours and their behave – it’s canibalism without our own community. You all need to stop attacking and start building bridges.
Nicole M. R. : Please ask the object of your great political affections, J Kevin Faulconer, to identify the thugs he apparently has hired to remove legal David Alvarez signs in San Diego. We have one on video caught in the act, and his Ford F-150 truck’s license plates. Many yard signs have been removed in Hillcrest, Mission Hills, North Park, South Park, University Heights and other areas by the same thugs in the white trucks. Faulconer refused to comment and also refuses to criticize the conduct : http://sandiegofreepress.org/2014/01/alvarez-draws-democratic-stars-faulconer-attracts-reactionaries-who-tear-down-a-few-campaign-signs/