The 40th Annual Nicky Awards were a great success and a sold-out event at the Marriott Hotel. There will be some major new changes next year and hats off to producers Allan Spyere and Michael Zarbo.
And the winners were … Outstanding Business: Green Fresh Florals; Community Organization: Human Dignity Foundation; Businesswoman: Joyce Rowland; Businessman: John Ealy/Harley Gray; Community Volunteer: Ricky Cervantes; Sports Organization: San Diego American Flag Football League; Neighborhood Bar:Uptown Tavern; New Business: Breakfast Republic Restaurant; Best Restaurant: Heat Bar and Kitchen; HIV/AIDS Service provider: Mama’s Kitchen; Bank: California Bank & Trust; Nightclub: Rich’s; DJ/VJ: Dirty Kurty; Pharmacy: AHF Pharmacy; Writer: Morgan Hurley/Gay San Diego; Straight Ally: Adrianna Martinez; Brunch: Martini’s Above Fourth; Bar: Urban Mo’s; Community Event: AIDS Walk/City Fest; Personal Trainer: Grant Foreman; Transgender Personality: Will Williams; Male Personality: Rich Reyes; Female Personality: Susan Jester; Impersonator: Paris; Leather Personality: Paulo Batista; Entertainer Group: San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus; Publication: Gay San Diego; Bar Manager: Patrick Walsh/Flicks; Online Media: SDGLN; Title Holder: Angel Fairfax; Achievement in the Arts: Travis; Bar Owner: Jim Simpsom and Doru Tifui /Martinis, Nick Moede/Rich’s; Philanthropist: Ben Dillingham; Dancer: Jake London Sawa; Bar Event: Top of the Bay /Numbers Bear Night; Male Waitperson: Marshal Alexander/Martinis; Female Waitperson: Mayra/Baja Betty’s; Women’s Night: Lez/Rich’s; Bar Employee: Johnny Goodman/Baby Cakes; Bartender (Male): David Cope/Mo’s; Female: Jersey/ Top of the Park; Male Couple: Jay Jones and Brad Hart; Female Couple: Moe Girton and Dawn Stultz; Real Estate Agent: Ryan Dick; Man of the Year: Matt Stevens; Woman of the Year: Toni Duran; 2015 Mayor George Moscone Award: Mayor Kevin Faulconer; Harvey Milk Civil Rights Awards: Carolina Ramos and Connor Maddocks; Portantino Media Award: Rage Magazine.
Gay organizations exhibit at City Hall
Sept. 4 is the last day you can see the exhibit at City Hall, 202 C Street of the Imperial Court de San Diego. This is the first time in the history of City Hall exhibits that an LGBT organization has been spotlighted and City Hall officials have been saying that it is one of the best exhibits they have ever seen. 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the International Imperial Court system of the United States, Canada and Mexico with over 68 chapters in these three countries. A special thank you to exhibit organizers: Michael Zarbo, Roxy Blue, Ashley, Mikie Too, Tom Dickerson, Ajax, Toni Saunders, Jada, Hugay Bear and the offices of Councilman Todd Gloria.
LGBT Democratic Club delays Gonzalez endorsement
State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez has been a very long time supporter and, yes, fighter and leader when it comes to LGBT civil rights. Yet at last week’s LGBT Democrats for Equality Club meeting, by about 28-20, the club deferred its usual endorsement of Gonzalez until their next meeting. Why? Because of Gonzalez questions and concerns about a “death with dignity” type of bill which other Assembly members are also concerned about (a final vote has not even been taken). Gonzalez has a 99.9 percent gay rights record. Is this the way we treat a long-time friend and ally?
Lincoln Club luncheon
Recently I was a guest of the Lincoln Club (thank you Chairman Steve Quinn) for a luncheon featuring Presidential candidate Gov. John Kasich.
To hear a Republican candidate speak about the poor, homeless issues, drug addiction and mental health was very refreshing. Kasich seems to be a common sense candidate whose grandfather was a coal miner and father a postman.
Though he has shown compassion when it comes to our LGBT community his record on our issues is not very good at all. But of all the Republican candidates he is the most decent and I was impressed with many of his moderate views.
Direct from Nicole’s pen, “Though he has shown compassion when it comes to our LGBT community his record on our issues is not very good at all.” So exactly what is that saying? It’s saying that he will say what YOU want to hear and his actions speak louder than words. But he probably paid for your lunch so you’ll endorse and praise him. Typical Nicole, political whore. You never have and you never will speak or represent the gay community. You’re actually a disgrace and always have been. Could you actually stoop any lower?
I admit that I was surprised when I was told that the endorsement for Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez was going to be pulled for further discussion at our meeting last month. Lorena has been doing an incredible job in her first term as Assembly Member.
As he was not there, Nicole is partially informed and largely incorrect in his reporting however. The motion to ask her to speak with us this month was made because she had previously stated in her Dems for Equality Candidate Questionnaire that she supported Right to Die with Dignity legislation but she was now apparently holding up the legislation in her Assembly committee.
– Nicole states we usually endorse Lorena. She is completing her first term in office (for which we endorsed her). I’m not sure that once in a row – even if it means 100% of the time – constitutes a legitimate use of “usual” in this case.
– It was not because she had “questions and concerns” about the right to die bill. It was because she had indicated support in our Questionnaire and now appears to be acting different to that Questionnaire response.
– And, lastly, it’s more than a little disingenuous to state “a final vote has not even been taken” when the concern that was raised was that her committee was holding up a vote in the Assembly.
Apparently, Nicole has spoken to Lorena about the issue and heard her side of the story. That”s all we ask as well. I believe that if Assembly Member Gonzalez speaks to the Club about her concerns for this bill, we will be able to join the chorus of support for her reelection.
David Warmoth
President, San Diego Democrats for Equality