This is the official statistic from the San Diego County Health Department. But we who have been involved with this HIV/AIDS epidemic since its early dark days of the 1980s (when indeed AIDS = death was true) know that countless people died of AIDS and they were not reported as such but as cancer, heart conditions etc. Many cities have AIDS memorials like San Jose, Key West Fla., New York, San Francisco,Las Vegas and including states like North Carolina. Thus I am happy that the GLBT Historic Task Force of San Diego County – the organization that brought you our nation’s first Harvey Milk Street –will be making an AIDS memorial in San Diego its major priority.
The Task Force will also be looking into a public school to be named after Chris Kehoe.
Citizens from all walks of life will be on this special task force and there will be wide community input.
I don’t have any idea where this memorial will be located (maybe Balboa Park or the Embarcadero, etc.) nor what it will look like as this will take a process. But the good news is that the offices of the mayor and Council president have been informed and they are indeed supportive.
The general public will also be informed as this important project gets underway and be kept in knowledge throughout the process.
For further info or ideas contact 619-692-1967, glbthistorictaskforcesd.com or P.O. Box 33915, San Diego 92163.
Gloria Johnson and Terry Cunningham = true heroes!
Mayor Bob Filner announced the first recipients of the newly-established San Diego Legends honors at the annual State of the City address and among the honorees were Father Joe Carroll and Padre baseball great Tony Gwyen and our community’s very own Ms. Gloria Johnson.
Mayor Maureen O’Connor was the last mayor to give out such special recognitions to citizens during her annual address.
Ms. Johnson has been a tireless activist and leader with so many issues such as: GLBT civil rights, pro-choice, women’s equality, HIV/AIDS, the Democratic Party etc.
Gloria very much deserved this high honor (she has also been inducted into the Women’sHall of Fame) and it was indeed my deep honor to have nominated her as I will do as well for Chris Kehoe next year.
Terry Cunningham will retire after 14 years serving as chief of the AIDS/HIV, STD’s and Health branch of the public services for the County of San Diego; but most important, being a tireless advocate for people with HIV/AIDS for more than 30 years. Yes, 30 years working with this issue and truly an unsung hero who the HIV/AIDS community could always count on.
Can you imagine being with this, at times, most draining, frustrating and emotional issue every day of your life since the beginning of this epidemic? Thank you does not even seem enough, so I’ll say to Terry Cunningham… please know your leadership is so very, very appreciated and job so very well done. God bless Gloria Johnson and Terry Cunningham.
The people’s mayor and his populist agenda
I’ve attended State of the City addresses since Mayor Roger Hedgecock and never have I heard such a progressive and populist agenda set forth as did Mayor Bob Filner Jan. 15. Yes, the birthday of Martin Luther King for this “1960s Freedom Rider” mayor to give his first address was not lost on many of us and history was indeed madewhen beautiful and brainy Bronwyn Ingram became the first-ever first lady to give remarks at this event.
Starting Feb. 2 Mayor Filner will be in the lobby of City Hall every first Saturday to talk to San Diegans from all walks of life, 9:30 a.m. – noon. The last mayor to do this was Mayor Maureen O’Connor.
When Mayor Filner gave this address to the people he had been in office for only six weeks … and I believe this was his “finest hour.”
Yes indeed, there has been a major “changing of the guard” at City Hall.
Among the City Councilmembers who got the biggest ovations from the huge crowd were Marti Emerald, David Alvarez and Council President Todd Gloria.
All eyes were on Nathan Fletcher and his humor was fabulously fun.
Bravo Bob on an outstanding address. Now, if only you and Todd would get along better this old queen would be so very much happier!
People, politics and opinions
Are rumors true that our first lady, Bronwyn Ingram and Nathan Fletcher will emcee the 32nd annual Nicky Awards this summer?
Dr. Joel Trambley defeated Dr. Pat Washington to become the new vice chair of the City’s Human Relation Commission.
Frank Lechner was elected vice chair of the County’s Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board and Stampp Corbin is the new chair of the City’s Equal Opportunity Commission.
Word is that Supervisor Ron Roberts is working to get Bill Beck on the County Senior Advisory Board.
Chris Kehoe, Toni Atkins and many GLBT leaders and activists have endorsed Myrtle Cole for the District 4 Council seat. This has to do with Cole’s longtime friendships with us and her solid pro-GLBT equality stands. One of her major opponents is former San Diego Pride executive director, Dwayne Crenshaw who many of us respect and wish the best.
Popular Stephen Whitburn is the new interim director of San Diego Pride.
Our local U.S. attorney, Laura Duffy continues her crazy witch hunt against compassionate medical marijuana health stores and tells our Mayor Filner, whose orders to stop these senseless and waste of time raids, she will not. As well we all know Laura Duffy attacked Filner during the campaign and gave money to his opponent. Duffy, who is openly lesbian, continues to ignore the pleas of the HIV/AIDS and cancer patients who need medical marijuana with a “let them eat cake” attitude.
I had a two-hour breakfast recently with the mayor’s chief of staff, the popular and well-respected Vince Hall. He said that Mayor Filner will indeed consider bringing back the GLBT and other communities’ mayoral advisory boards that were dropped for the first time by our last mayor.
And Sheriff Bill Gore is working on establishing the first such GLBT advisory board to the Sheriff … a commitment he made during his campaign and one that he plans on keeping. Sheriff Gore continues to get high praise by many members of our County’s diverse communities.
Just got back from Houston, Texas with word that Mayor Annise Parker’s future may include a run for Congress. Off this Thursday to Atlanta, Ga. for the 20th annual Creating Change Conference.
$45 Imperial Court Coronation tickets on sale
While the VIP dinner tickets/tables have almost been totally sold out for the upcoming Feb. 241st annual Imperial Court Coronation at the Mission Valley Marriott Hotel the general tickets and tables are now on sale for $45.
Visiting GLBT royalty from all across the USA, Canada and Mexico will be in attendance and a spectacular and entertaining evening is being planned … so get your tickets today and go show your appreciation to the continuing hard work and service of court members. Say bravo to our outgoing “monarchs” Tom Dickerson and A.J. Ajax and see if popular Candi Samples will be crowned empress de San Diego.
For tickets info: 619-300-1232 or 619-254-6372.
Big Mike’s birthday bash this Sunday Jan. 27
“Lifetime Award” recipient, the one and only Big Mike will celebrate yet another birthday (Big Mike is a proud cancer survivor and continues to live openly with HIV) this coming Sunday, Jan. 27 at the award-winning Wang’s Chinese restaurant in North Park and you’re are all invited 1-4 p.m.
This year’s non-profit service organization birthday benefit is the Harvey Milk Foundation.
Just follow the crowds to Wang’s this Sunday!
