Yes, I wasn’t such an “R-rated” emcee at this past Saturday’s Nightmare on Normal Street and it was because the Police Department expressed their concern.
People, politics and opinions
County supervisor candidate Steve Danon has committed to work on bringing back the San Diego County Human Relations Commission as he shares many San Diegans’ concerns that a majority of hate crimes against people of color, religious churches, temples and the GLBT community are outside of the City of San Diego.
Many of us agree with former Sen. Steve Peace and other Democratic leaders that U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy should resign. Duffy, who is an open lesbian, has hurt our HIV/AIDS community by doing all in her power to close down every medical marijuana outlet. She is a disgrace.
Sherri Lightner’s re-election is the most important Council race in decades.
If the City Council remains in Democratic control, contrary to a story in CityBeat, Third District Councilmember Todd Gloria will not challenge President Tony Young.
After Juan Vargas is elected to Congress next Tuesday look for state Assemblymember Ben Hueso to announce for Vargas’ state Senate seat and popular Democratic leader Lorena Gonzalez to announce for the state Assembly’s 80th District seat.
Nigel Mayer has moved to Las Vegas after selling his video bar Flicks and we wish him the very best.
Congressional candidate Scott Peters has spent more than $2 million of his own money in his campaign … hmm!
Word is that Todd Stevens is no longer San Diego Pride’s attorney in the upcoming lawsuit concerning the leather clothing apparel of a gay young man at the festival.
Cleve Jones endorses Bob Filner
One of America’s most respected and well-known national gay leaders, Cleve Jones endorsed Congressman Bob Filner for mayor this past weekend.
Cleve is the founder of the world-renowned AIDS Quilt, worked for Harvey Milk and was the gay historic consultant for the Oscar-winning Milk movie.
Cleve Jones has traveled around the globe and met world leaders, spoken at major events and is considered to be a true gay hero and icon.
Cleve was also a leader in the Doug Manchester Hotel boycott and has been in San Diego countless times.
Cleve was the main organizer and director of the 2009 National GLBT March on Washington and I had the privilege of serving as a national co-chair of the successful march along with him.
Bob Filner told me he is humbled and grateful for the endorsements of such high profile gay civil rights national leaders such as Cleve Jones and Stuart Milk.
Filner has also been endorsed by GLBT office holders such as Sen. Chris Kehoe, state Assemblymember Toni Atkins and Councilmember Todd Gloria.
Will it be Mayor Filner or Mayor DeMaio?
More than $13 million has been spent on the 2012 race for mayor, which has not only been the most expensive, but the most negative and ugly.
I have joined the vast majority of GLBT, Latino and African American activists and leaders in supporting Bob Filner for mayor.
Yes, he has some rough edges and is very blunt but I have known this public servant since his school board days and Filner’s heart and soul has always been about equality for all people and to fight for the poor and the middle class.
This will be a close election and if Carl DeMaio is elected it will not be with the support of his very own community. (DeMaio came in last place in the Third District and gay neighborhoods.) He will have a lot of fence-mending and reaching out to those who did not support him and he has stated that he will do as such.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis kept her promise to me that she would call me before making her final decision to endorse Carl and she did as such this past weekend.
They say it’s all fair in love and war and politics and campaigns but after the election the people have made their choice. We must all respect and accept their decisions … period.
Whoever wins, it will be the sixth mayor I will serve as a city commissioner; my term ends 2016.
Thank you, San Diego Press Club
The San Diego Press Club held its 39th annual Excellence in Journalism Awards recently and the San Diego LGBT Weekly, once again, was the only gay media to win awards.
My column, “Conversations with Nicole” was recognized with an award and I am sincerely honored, especially in view of San Diego Press Club president, Nicole Sours Larson stating, “With a record number of entries this year, winning a Press Club award is no small feat.”
LGBT Weekly was nominated in categories with other nominees, all non-gay media, and they won. Congratulations to my fellow winners: Stampp Corbin, Thom Senzee, Jeff Jungblut, Steve Lee, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, Ian Stokell, Andrew Printer and Jonathan Young.
I salute the good people of the San Diego Press Club and their board of directors for long ago including San Diego’s GLBT media in their award categories and presentations.
GLBT Veterans Wall ceremony: Nov. 9
Coming up next Friday, Nov. 9 is a ceremony in observance of Veterans Day at The Center at the new “Ben F. Dillingham and Bridget Wilson GLBT Veterans Wall of Honor.” You are all invited to attend and as the founder of this first such wall in the nation I want to sincerely thank and recognize Dr. Delores Jacobs, the board of directors and The Center staff for their leadership and dedication to this project, along with the Imperial Court de San Diego for the financial seed money.
For more info on the ceremony and event which is open to all contact GLBT Veterans Wall committee chairman Joseph Rocha at 951-415-6126.
Freedom Awards: Nov. 17
This year’s annual Freedom Awards, held by San Diego Democrats for Equality will be extra special as it will be a tribute to San Diego’s own Harvey Milk – Sen. Chris Kehoe, along with other such high profile and Democratic leaders as Jess Durfee, Craig Roberts, Eric Issacson, Brian Polejes and John Lockhart. All outstanding and dedicated activists who have dedicated their lives to the battle for equality for GLBT citizens.
The Freedom Awards were founded in 1981 by local gay icon Attorney Bob Lynn. I was at the first Freedom banquet and I will join everyone once again Nov. 17.
For more info: democratsforequality.org
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
