Hopefully Hillcrest will soon be the home of a huge Rainbow Flag and Harvey Milk Street.
People, politics, opinions
So, Congressman David Dreier of California has decided not only to retire but stay in his closet ‘til the very end. This gay Republican could have done so much for our fight for equality, but never even raised a finger. So Martina Navratilova is going to be on Dancing with the Stars. Well, all I have to say to the producers is “good luck” as she was the most difficult and demanding person for me to work with at our Marches on Washington in the 1980s and ‘90s. (Ellen DeGeneres and Melissa Etheridge were wonderful, unlike Navratilova.)
Good for Congressman Bob Filner who has urged President Obama to reclassify marijuana as a schedule II or III drug. Looks like popular state Assemblyman Marty Block will be facing an influential conservative Republican for the state Senate. We all need to get behind Marty!
Sen. Kehoe and Assemblywoman Atkins will be co-hosting a fundraiser for Dr. Shirley Weber for the state Assembly this Sunday afternoon.
Nathan Fletcher, the author of Chelsea’s Law, was at Sunday’s second annual walk for the Chelsea’s Light Foundation and among those donating $900 in honor of Fletcher were Nick Moede (Rich’s and Numbers), the Imperial Court de San Diego, City Commissioner Bruce Abrams and businesswoman Mrs. Alma Rosa Vasic. At a recent civic event someone referred to renowned Union-Tribune columnist Tom Blair (most read in the city) as a true “San Diego historian.” And I could not agree more! Please support the ongoing campaign to end California’s death penalty, once and for all.
Congratulations to County Commissioner Bruce Abrams on becoming the first openly gay elected member of the Anti-Defamation League San Diego Regional Board … long overdue. Get your tickets today for the fourth annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast (May 25) as it’s going to be another sold out event with 1,000 people. Info: 619-692-2077 x 204. Harveymilkbreakfast.org.
Dr. Michael Clark
The late Dr. Clark was a proud openly gay businessman and a prominent Republican Party leader when most would stay in their closets. The University Club, founded in 1908, is the oldest San Diego private social club and didn’t have its first female president ‘til 1996 and still has never had one of color. But in 1990 it elected openly gay Dr. Michael Clark as its president and last week I got invited to the official unveiling of the President’s Gallery, which included Michael’s portrait. I was a friend of his and Susan Jester (founder AIDS Walk) was also in attendance. Among past presidents of the prestigious University Club are mayors, military officers and major businessmen. Indeed, Michael Clark was a respected and dedicated community leader.
Paul King, “RIP,” … my creator
I was saddened to hear that 87-year-old gay businessman Paul King recently passed away. King was a mover and shaker in the gay community in the 1970s and was the publisher of the San Diego Sun and gave me my first weekly column, and yes, kinda got me started! He was a very generous businessman who always gave back to our community and when AIDS first broke out he and Frank Stirriti of Vulcan’s underwrote our city’s first AIDS education material and were major funders of our early struggling AIDS agencies. Paul was a good friend and even took care of me when I overdosed on drugs and gave me a job. We travelled to Mexico a lot and a few days ago I talked to his long-time partner Richard Dewalt and we went down memory lane. Rest in peace old friend.
Titanic exhibit … sinks
The so called, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition now showing at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park is just plain awful and way overpriced. Don’t be fooled as it’s just a bunch of broken bottles, cups and dishes. The recent documentaries on the Titanic are 100 percent better and are cheaper to rent or catch on The History Channel … period.
Chapman Collection … the best
We all love special stores with one-of-a-kind items that are unbelievable and the best around (for more than two decades) is The Chapman Collection in Horton Plaza (on the top-floor mall). They have the most beautiful antiques, collectables and furniture. I’m talking incredible and because of the economy … low, low prices. So if you are looking for that special gift or tapestries, artwork, etc, check out the chapmancollection.com.
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.
