The Oscars were outstanding – a return to glamour and traditions, but I wanted The Help to win everything.
San Francisco
This has been one of my very favorite destinations since the 1960s. Yes, those hippie years were outrageous and, of course, I wore both bell bottoms and mini skirts (with high go go boots).
A very special thank you to Mark Dean of C-Two Hotels who hosted my stay. The Hotel Fusion is a fabulous boutique hotel. I was in San Francisco for the annual Jose Julio Sarria Honors, named after the 88-year-old World War II veteran and first openly gay candidate (1961) to run for an elected office in North America. Since Jose could not be in attendance because of failing health I had the honor to present the awards to a police officer, high school principal, businesspeople, GLBT parents and charity fundraisers. It was great to see my good friends Sen. Mark Leno and City Treasurer Joe Cisneros and was flattered to get a welcome to the city by Mayor Edwin Lee.
I had a breakfast meeting with the executive director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus who are working on a musical tribute to Harvey Milk. I stopped by the HRC store to see my friend, general manager, Shane Martin. To be honest, I got somewhat tired and exhausted so I’ve cancelled my upcoming trips to Vancouver and Washington, D.C. (I’m starting to listen to my doctor more.)
A most humbling experience
While I truly appreciate the many calls and e-mails congratulating myself and Dr. Delores Jacobs for being named “local heroes” by KPBS and Union Bank I can tell you I have never been more humbled at the awards ceremony held recently at the beautiful Balboa Theatre. The really true heroes were some of my co-honorees like Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Edith Eva Eger who at the age of 16 was sent to the Auschwitz death camp and lost her family. Or Kathy Anderson, co-founder of Survivors of Torture International and Rachael Ortiz, the loving founder, “mother” of Barrio Station or Bill Bodry, the founder of Challenge Center.
I wish to most sincerely thank KPBS and Union Bank.
Victory Brunch = more than $100,000
The growing political and money power of the San Diego GLBT community was in full display at this past Sunday’s annual Victory Brunch at the Catamaran Resort Hotel. National leaders Susan Atkins Weathers and Robert Gleason (both the pride of San Diego) led the event. (Great job, also, to Matt Stephens, Bob Mablowitz, John Lipsey and Marcia Green.)
It was nice to see Christine Quinn again, who is on her way to become the next mayor of New York. At my table were Rabbi Laurie Coskey, Labor Council CEO Lorena Gonzalez, County Commissioner Bruce Abrams, College Board member Humberto Peraze, law student Christian Castro, Empress XL Lady Ajax and F St. Corp. CEO Mrs. Alma Rosa Vasic. Mayoral candidates Congressman Bob Filner, state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis attended the brunch and were all seen table-hopping.
Well, more than $100,000 was raised in a few hours.
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. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com.
