Internationally known gay, labor and AIDS activist Cleve Jones will be in San Diego Dec. 6 when the Human Dignity Foundation will be honoring him at their annual gala. Cleve is the founder of the Names Project/AIDS Quilt and was the historic consultant for the Oscar-winning film Milk about his good friend Harvey Milk. (Actor Sean Penn gave Cleve a big thank-you in his best actor acceptance speech.)
An activist for almost four decades Cleve just celebrated his 60th birthday and was spotted in Tijuana just last weekend.
I have been a good friend of Cleves for decades and was a national co-chair with him for the last National GLBT March on Washington. I really admire and respect Cleve Jones who has always remained grounded and never has changed his dedication and passion for our and other community’s struggle.
Jones is a living gay icon and his speeches are always inspiring. Actor George Takei and longtime civil rights activist Maureen Steiner will also be honored.
For more information on the Human Dignity Foundation visit sdhdf.org
Community Thanksgiving Dinner: All are welcome
Have no place to go? Living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, homeless, senior etc. Well, on Thanksgiving Day you are invited to our LGBT Center for the 28th annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner at noon. Your hosts are the Imperial Court, The Center and many volunteers, organizations and businesses.
I will be there and so will our City Council President Todd Gloria and other elected officials.
Everyone is welcome. I will give you the list of wonderful people who helped and gave in my next column.
A blessed Thanksgiving to you all.
Bayard Rustin Honors, Feb. 27
The second annual Bayard Rustin Honors will be held Friday, Feb. 27 at our Community Center.
It will be our community’s celebration of Black History Month and guest of honor will be State Assemblywoman Shirley Webber who will receive a lifetime achievement award.
About six GLBT African American San Diego activists will also be honored. Mark your calendar for Feb. 27. For further information call 619-692-7967.
Imperial Court Coronation No. 43 Jan 31
During 1971 to 1972 GLBT San Diegans began to organize a chapter of the Imperial Court System (now over 68 city chapters in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.A.). Coming up Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Lafayette Hotel will be the 43rd annual Coronation Ball where our new emperor and empress will be crowned. GLBT student scholarships will be given out (Harvey Milk/ Nicole Murray Ramirez scholarships founded in 1979).
That weekend San Diego will be hosting the winter meeting of the International Court Council with council members coming from Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico.
2015 is the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Court System by gay pioneer Jose Julio Sarria. I do hope that everyone and organizations that have benefitted by the reign of our Emperor Robert and Empress Pearl will come and say thank you and congratulate them on their special night of Jan. 31.
