A very warm welcome to GLBT royalty, from all over the USA, Canada and Mexico, here for Coronation XL and to GLBT Democrats here for the California Democratic Party Convention.
Only general tickets available for royal events
Dinner tickets for both the Imperial State dinner, set for this Friday night, and the 40th anniversary Coronation Ball Saturday night (Feb. 11) have been completely sold out. There are some general seating and tables available ($40) but I urge you to get them quickly 619-254-6372 and 619-540-8727. There might be some available at the door but only for Saturday’s event ($50 door). This year the current 39th reign, monarchs and the board of directors have given out more than $70,000 in community grants.
Among Coronation XL honorees will be, Emperor I Omar (1973), Empress II Toby (1974), Empress V Morgana (1976) and Empress Norma who will all be in attendance. Friday night’s state dinner will include two well-known opera stars and Saturday’s Coronation Ball, A Military Affair, will include pageantry and some unbelievable and exciting entertainment.
Everyone is welcome and invited to attend this week’s celebrations and it is San Diego GLBT leaders, activists and organizations chance to show their respect and appreciation to the members of the Imperial Court for 40 years of noble deeds.
Allan Spyere: You are loved and will be missed
It is with a sad heart that I tell you all that community activist, fundraiser and popular personality, Allan Spyere has to return to his native land, Brazil, to take care of some personal matters. More sadly, Allan will not be able to attend Coronation XL and preside at all this weekend’s events as our reigning emperor de San Diego.
Many of you know Allan was like a grandson to me. He was more than a friend, Allan was family. My heart is truly broken and I miss him so much already. He should be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for putting up with me these last years. Allan was producer, along with Lisa Sanders, of the Nicky Awards and was greatly involved with the Harvey Milk Foundation and so many organizations and causes. He was San Diego LGBT Weekly’s club scene reporter and a popular bartender at Numbers. Allan has a loving family in Brazil who are looking forward to having him home.
Harvey Milk books going to school districts
In 2001, elementary school teacher and author Kari Krakow with former Walt Disney animation artist David Gardner published their book, The Harvey Milk Story for 8 year old students and over. The Imperial Court de San Diego, the Queen Eddie GLBT Youth Fund and The LGBT Center has purchased more than 250 of these books that will be presented, this Saturday night, to the San Diego School District and the New York School District that Harvey Milk attended when he was a little boy. Accepting these books at Coronation XL will be school board member, Kevin Beiser, Stuart Milk and some GLSEN officials. This presentation will indeed be an historic first event and San Diego will one of the first cities in the nation to be providing gay history books to school districts.
Kickin’ it with Toni Atkins
I’ve had the pleasure of being a long-time friend of Toni Atkins for many years. I first met her when she was involved with women’s health issues and agencies and she got me and the Imperial Court to hold fundraisers for women not able to pay for cancer tests (our first benefit raised more than $3,000). Toni Atkins has never been a politician, but a true public servant coming from the Deep South where she was born, and lived in a house with no running water or electricity. She is one of the most down-to-earth and honest individuals I’ve ever met. She has risen from a San Diego city councilmember to acting mayor of San Diego and now majority whip of the California state Assembly.
This past Friday we spent some fun time together. First we went to lunch and had a great time talking about the community and politics. Then we were off to a photo shoot with Sen. Chris Kehoe, Councilman Marti Emerald, former Councilwoman Donna Frye and, yes, Congressman Bob Filner. Now this was a lively gathering to say the least. Later that evening Toni picked me up again to attend the Lambda Archives’ fun Pajama Party fundraiser at the fabulous Snooze restaurant. I love just “kickin’ it” with my pal Toni.
RuPaul’s Drag Race IV is fabulous
Logo TV’s smash hit RuPaul’s Drag Race is better than ever and San Diego’s very own Chad Michaels is doing California so very proud (including me your little old grandma!)
I think hot tiny Latina, Kenya, is most certainly the beauty on duty but Chad is giving her a run for her money.
I can’t stand William from L.A. – bad attitude and needs to shave closer. Madame seems nice but is a “Ct” version of last season’s fab diva Delta Works (could be Delta’s understudy). I love, love, love Latrice, a very wise big girl with a lot of talent. No one better screw with this ex con with a heart of gold, but a fist of a beast! Jiggly is a par hot mess who’s brought her personal baggage to the show. She reminds me of a prettier Mama Cass of San Diego fame. (And she looks like Season II’s Juju Been plus 200 more pounds!)
I don’t know what to make of Sharon Needles. She is one scary-looking queen. Princess should be stripped down to a baroness. But one thing is certain and that is Season IV looks like a silicone explosion with creepy vampire eye contacts everywhere! Chad Michaels has certainly become a star of the show and her down-to-earth blunt talk about her underground silicone treatment will most certainly save some lives.
The Wellington is a five star restaurant
Move over Morton’s and Ruth’s Chris because there is a new king of steakhouses and it’s The Wellington (729 Washington Street) right here in Mission Hills. This past Monday night I returned for another outstanding five star dinner with Mrs. Alma Rosa Vasic (CEO of F St. Corp.) and her new executive assistant Casanova. It’s a “Class A” restaurant that seats only about two dozen people and reservations are highly recommended. Chef Miguel Valdez is certainly a “Top Chef/Iron Chef” in his own right and if you’re really lucky Vasilios will be your waiter. Everything on the menu is outstanding.
Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last five 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. Nicolemrsd@aol.com.
