Brigadier General Tammy Smith will be honored at a private reception in San Diego June 12. General Smith is the first openly LGBT U.S. flag officer of her rank to come out. She has served in Afghanistan during the war and was promoted to general in a private ceremony at the Women’s Memorial at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Brigadier General Smith is a native of Oregon and in 2012 she married her life partner Tracey Hepner at the Jefferson Memorial and Hepner is the co-founder of the military partners and families’ coalition, a national military family organization that provides support, education, resources and advocacy for LGBT military partners and their families.
During the 2013 State of the Union address in our nation’s capital, Tracey Hepner was announced as a personal guest of first lady Michelle Obama. The June 12 reception will be a private invitation only event where Brigadier General Tammy Smith will receive the prestigious International Jose Julio Sarria Civil Rights Award. (In 1961, World War II veteran Sarria became the first openly gay candidate for public office in North America). More information with local official hosts and sponsoring organizations will be forthcoming. For further information: 619-692-1967.
Mayoral duties in La Villita, Texas
In 2012, then Mayor Julian Castro (now secretary of housing and development) of San Antonio issued an official proclamation naming me as the mayor of La Villita, Texas. La Villita is considered one of the oldest cities in Texas and the original “San Antonio.” La Villita has had local governments under the Spanish and then Mexican governments, and is now a historic five block village in San Antonio.
One could compare my little city to “Old Town” here in San Diego, but it also has a small historic church and a town square with a historic statue of President Benito Juarez of Mexico.
This past week I was in Corpus Christi and San Antonio for some speaking engagements and fundraising so I of course stopped by and visited my Texas city and its citizens. Accompanying me was Dr. Rosie Valdez of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. In the town square I gave a stirring mayoral speech to five tourists, one janitor and three barking dogs. My remarks received a standing ovation and applause from Dr. Valdez. Hum, maybe I should visit La Villita more often!
Mark your calendar
• Thursday, April 30 – Dining Out For Life
• Thursday, May 21 – Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
• Saturday, May 30 – North County LGBTQ Center Annual Garden Gala
• Sunday, June 7 – Equality California Brunch
• Friday, June 12 – Army Brigadier General Tammy Smith Reception
• Saturday, June 27 – Pachanga de Frida LGBT Latino Celebration at The Center
• Sunday, June 28 – Mr., Miss, Ms. San Diego Pride Contest
• July 17-19 – San Diego Pride
• Sunday, Aug. 16 – Ink Fest San Diego 2015: An all-day tattoo fest at The Center
• Saturday, Aug. 22 – HRC San Diego Dinner
• Sunday, Aug. 23 – Annual Nicky Awards: The gay academy awards of San Diego
• Saturday, Sept. 26 – San Diego AIDS Walk & Run
• Sunday, Nov. 8 – The 3rd Annual Premios Latinos: LGBT Latino Community awards show and Mr. and Miss. – Ms. Gay Latino California Pageant – At The Center
There is no Dr. Rosie Valdez at the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
Nicole, re: your “stirring mayoral speech” given to “five tourists, one janitor and three barking dogs”… if the tourists and janitor didn’t speak up, i would go with the opinions of the barking dogs.
Here’s Dr. Rosie from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce… http://www.impcourt.org/people/52-people/international-court-council/icc-members/124-rosie-valdez
Tell you what, Nicole, rather than you just visit La Villita more often, I’ll make you an genuine and sincere offer. I’ll pay for your permanent move there and even give you 2 weeks in a motel until you get a place if you promise never to return to San Diego or write another column in any local gay rag. Deal? Trust me, it’s a win/win situation for all involved (except for La Villita).