This year’s Oscars were boring with the two hosts doing a below average job. But the sets were outstanding. How boring did I think they were? Well, I kept flipping the channels to The House Wives of Atlanta and Jersey Shore!
Deputy Secretary of Education attends LGBT Conference
This past weekend’s second annual international conference on Solutions to a Crisis: Supporting Students – Saving Lives at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley brought together hundreds of educators and students.
The conference’s co-presenter, the Harvey Milk Foundation, arranged the participation from the Obama administration of a very special guest: Kevin Jennings, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Stuart Milk was responsible for Mr. Jennings’ attendance and his keynote address was outstanding and received a well deserved standing ovation. I had a conversation with Kevin and he continues to impress me as a true fighter for not only our LGBT students but all students.
This was a three day conference which our mayor Jerry Sanders attended and officially welcomed all the visiting attendees. A reading of the award-winning play Dear Harvey was also presented with student actors … playwright Patricia Loughrey was a special guest. For more information on the conference visit, lgbtqia2011.org
University celebrates Harvey Milk’s legacy
Things are most certainly changing at this Catholic university. Not long ago, University of San Diego did not even allow gay clubs on campus or dances! But now under the LGBT student leadership of USD Pride and the Rainbow Educators, USD Pride Law, USD Young Democrats, there was a two-day celebration around the legacy of Harvey Milk last week.
I attended a dinner with students at the University of San Diego along with special guests District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, City Councilman Todd Gloria, City Commissioner Bruce Abrams and Emperor Allan Spyere. Then we joined hundreds of LGBT and straight students to hear Stuart Milk, the founder of the Harvey Milk Foundation, who flew in for these events. Among special speakers at event panels were Lisa Sanders and USD professor Judith Liu.
I really had a great time with these students who are so inspiring to me. Many of us old timers now know that the future of our civil rights movement is in very good hands. All of us agreed that the leadership and activism of USD Pride President Joseph Rocha is one that our entire community should be proud of.
Councilman Todd Gloria’s State of District 3 address
The North Park Theatre saw a big crowd show up for Councilman Todd Gloria’s annual State of District 3 address. The police chief and fire chief were in attendance as well as Council President Tony Young, David Alvarez and Sheri Lightner. What impressed me was that so many neighborhood and community leaders showed up.
Councilman Gloria was honest and did not paint a fake rosy picture for our city during these difficult economic times. He would continue to fight for District 3 and for public safety.
It was wonderful to see Todd’s grandmother, parents and family all in attendance and native San Diegans, too!
Since he has been in office, 300 street blocks have been repaved in the district, 280 sidewalk locations repaired, 1,113 street lights have been repaired, 700 new trees planted, 223 new public parking spaces in Hillcrest – just to name a very few of Todd Gloria’s accomplishments.
Our community’s drug problem
America has a growing drug problem – and so does our LGBT community. We seem to do our best to sweep this problem under the rug. The recent drug scandal on a gay boat cruise of 5,000 made big headlines, but were any of us really shocked?
Let me make it very clear that I’ve always been upfront about my own life’s personal drug problems. I take life and this problem one day at a time. I highly respect our recovery community and those who fight every day to keep “clean.” I come from the 1960s and 70s of a “sex, drugs and rock n’ roll” era and thus can understand this growing problem and relate to all those who have this problem … this illness.
But it’s time we shine a brighter light on this problem and gave more support to the Alano Club, Stepping Stone and The Center. I can’t begin to tell you about the lives that have been ruined and young lives lost to drugs in our very own San Diego community. In this growing drug problem, indeed, silence equals death. Thank you for listening.
Wacky Rocky Neptun thinks he’s running for mayor
In every election there is usually one nutcase who runs for office. That’s what’s great about America. We even welcome fruitcakes to be a part of our political process.
Rocky Neptun likes to run for office. The only problem is no one votes for him. If you think I’m being a little unfair, well this is the blogger who has stated that I killed my first lover, Michael Murray and got away with it because of my so-called political and government contacts. Rocky Neptun also swears that the tooth fairy assassinated John F. Kennedy.
My friends and allies will be attending any public forums that Rocky attends and will be asking him questions to prove some of his accusations … a “Rocky Neptun truth squad” if you will.
By the way, Rocky has stated he will find a candidate to run against our very own Councilman Todd Gloria. Who will it be, Charles Manson?
Hillcrest Mardi Gras next Tuesday, March 8!
The 10th anniversary of one of the most fun and wild events of the year is coming up next Tuesday, March 8. Yes, the fabulous Hillcrest Mardi Gras from 6 p.m. till 11 p.m. Thousands are once again expected at Fourth and University Ave. A great benefit event, so just follow the crowds! Great job to Matt Ramon and his hard-working committee.
For tickets and info: Urban Mo’s, Baja Betty’s or Obelisk Bookstore.
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. Nicole is a past state president of Equality California and has served on the national boards of the HRC and NGLTF. He is currently 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.
You forgot to nameTodd Gloria in the picture.