Yes, racism and homophobia are alive and well in our country. Yes, our criminal justice system is far from perfect and there are indeed some bad police officers. I know about some of these issues and have personally lived out some of them in my life.
To this day, I have witnessed these things which are what’s wrong with America. I have also participated in many demonstrations, pickets, sit-ins, fasts (grape boycott) and have been arrested for my civil disobedience.
But we know, by far, that there are even more things that make our nation great. I believe football player Colin Kaepernick and other sporting figures are dead wrong in their refusal to respect our nation’s flag and national anthem, especially when they did so at game nights that saluted our veterans and active military, and the one this past Sunday which observed the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
In my opinion, they disrespected the men and women who fought and died for our country so that they have the right to protest. Also, their actions slap the faces of the families who lost someone on 9/11; this is absolutely disgraceful.
I agree that standing up for what you believe in is one of the great virtues of our country, but in order for it to have its intended effect, the protest should be directed at the appropriate source; a certain city police station or court house, etc. Not all police officers are bad, not all judges are biased and Kaepernick’s statements that police “are getting paid leave and getting away with murder” blankets all police officers who risk their lives every day to make our cities safe.
Multi-millionaire Colin Kaepernick did a good thing donating a million dollars to a social justice organization, but he himself is living the American dream and his actions are disrespecting the cultural significance we Americans place on the flag and share as a country.
The American flag and national anthem should be respected by all Americans!
Five days in Washington
It seems that in my life I’ve spent hundreds of days in our nation’s capital since the 1970s. The National HRC Dinner drew over 3,500 people including Democratic Party Vice-Presidential Candidate Tim Kaine.
I had a meeting with Jose Gutierrez (Founder of the National GLBT Latino Project). I had the honor to present awards to David Perez (chair, District of Columbia Mayor’s LGBT Advisory Board, and director for the League of United Latin American Citizens) and Anthony DeRosa (Rhode Island State chair of the LGBT political committee of the Democratic Party.) It was also great spending time with my “son” Russell Roybal (national deputy director, National LGBTQ Task Force).
In between meetings and events my friends, Alaska businessman Kevin Meiner and Sacramento businessman Myron Sidie, took me to a private men’s club full of all male dancers who were nude. I was so shocked that it took me two hours to get my composure back!
Everyone is talking about wanting to come to San Diego when the Harvey Milk Naval Ship is dedicated. At a party I went to on Capitol Hill, it was upsetting to hear top Democratic Party officials and some elected office holders talk about how they were having bad feelings about the ongoing Clinton presidential campaign.
Oct. 2, there will be an “LGBTQ United Rally against Gun Violence” in Washington, D.C. and thousands are expected from all over the U.S.A. I have been asked to speak at the rally.
Nicky Awards set for November
The 41st annual Nicky Awards board of governors will be announcing the rescheduling of the “LGBT Academy Awards of San Diego” to the second week in November. Because of a change in management, the Nicky Awards have been moved to a new hotel. This always sold out red carpet event promises to be even more dazzling and fun than ever. Stay tuned for the official announcement coming next week.
Thank you Steven Whitburn!
So now our entire community knows that the popular executive director of San Diego Pride, Steven Whitburn, has stepped down from his position after three years. Steven will indeed keep his reputation as one of our community’s most respected, dedicated and hardworking activists. He leaves San Diego Pride after its most successful event in decades. Whitburn, who is a member of both the Mayor’s and Sheriff’s GLBT Advisory Boards, told me that he will continue to be active in our community.
Thank you Steven, job well done!
