Al Best’s memorial: June 28

Some decades ago, long before Kehoe, Dumanis, Atkins, DeMaio, Gloria, Padilla, Roberts, Beiser, etc., an openly gay man named Al Best announced his candidacy for the City Council of San Diego. Yes, he was making history with this announcement and he was immediately fired from his good paying job because his “gay candidacy” was bringing too much media attention. There were no California laws to protect him and he also received death threats and hate mail – how dare an openly homosexual run for public office in America’s Finest City!

Some of us old timers well remember this historic campaign. I volunteered and was one of Al’s advisors. From some hours at his phone banks to introducing him to people and raising badly needed funds for his campaign. Many LGBT leaders didn’t want to be associated with Al Best’s campaign; many didn’t want to help him; many were afraid of the association with a known homosexual in the public spotlight. Yes, Al Best did not win but he did place well among many candidates. He remained a dedicated gay activist and served the city he loved as a city commissioner. He was a co-founder of Stepping Stone, and was a past president of the then Harvey Milk Democratic Club of San Diego and served on many LGBT community organizations board of directors.

Some years later Neil Good became the second openly gay man to run for City Council against such candidates as Bob Filner and Mike Aguirre. Then came the winning campaign of Chris Kehoe well over a decade after Al Best. Yes, Al Best was a San Diego trailblazer, longtime activist and a true historic hero to many in our community. Al Best passed away this last week and our thoughts and prayers are with the long time love of his life, Edward. I most sincerely want to thank the donors and supporters of the Imperial Court de San Diego’s Ben F. Dillingham Fund which provided the financial cost for Al Best’s proper cremation (this fund has helped bury dozens of LGBT people who could not afford this last dignity in one’s life). Al Best may have not been rich, but he was indeed rich in the friendship of many caring people. Rest in peace my friend.

I most sincerely hope our community will come out and pay their respects to Al Best at his celebration of life: Sunday June 28 at The Center, 2 p.m. Among the speaker’s will be Mayor Kevin Faulconer, State Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, City Councilman Todd Gloria and Ben F. Dillingham. You didn’t have to know Al Best to come and say a final farewell to this courageous man. Further information: 619-692-1967. Hope to see you all there June 28 at The Center!

Chris Ward for City Council

Both Al Best and Neil Good paved the way for a representative from our community to be on the City Council. I know if they were both alive today they would be solidly behind the City Council candidacy of Chris Ward. He is the most qualified, experienced and will be ready on the first day he is in office. Ward cares about all the citizens of our city. That is why a vast majority of community and civic leaders have endorsed Chris for City Council, and so do I!