The Fourth of July celebration is almost here, and thousands of people are going to be out partying, including countless out-of-towners. Please be careful out there. Don’t party too hard or drink and drive. And please watch out for each other. Happy Fourth of July!

Longtime community activist and attorney Rick Kerman was the 2007 honoree at the 10th annual GLBT Community Tribute Banquet held at the beautiful Westin Horton Plaza Hotel. Many elected public officials and community VIPs were in attendance. Former City Commissioner Rick Kerman was honored by Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressmember Susan Davis, California Senator Christine Kehoe, County Board of Supervisors chair Ron Roberts, Mayor Jerry Sanders, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, City Attorney Mike Aguirre and City Councilmember Toni Atkins (wow, what a list). Kerman was humbled by all the praise, especially the words of Kehoe, Atkins and Aguirre. Kerman was also honored by the Human Relations Commission, the Greater San Diego Business Association and the Imperial Court de San Diego. Terry Cunningham, a top county health official, gave one of the most moving speeches remembering Kerman’s work with the AIDS Assistance Fund in the 1980s. Tribute Banquet co-chairs City Commissioners Jess San Roque and Julia Leqaspi did an outstanding job. The dinner (top sirloin steak) was one of the best banquet dinners this year. Congratulations Rick and thank you for more than two decades of community service.

The American flag belongs to every American citizen and community – including the GLBT community. Compared to other community events, galas or dinners, the GLBT community rarely displays the American flag or plays the National Anthem. In fact, the vast majority of our Pride parades have not been led by the American flag like other local parades do and rightfully should. The Center, Stepping Stone and Human Dignity Foundation do not even display the American flag or play the National Anthem at their galas. Why not?

I call upon the GLBT community to become more patriotic at our community events. We should let everyone know how proud we are to be American. I know our local GLBT veterans’ chapter, American Veterans for Equal Rights, would be proud to display the American flag in the Pride parade. I hope that all businesses and bars will display both the rainbow and American flags during this years Pride weekend.

I have always supported and highly respected the Alano Club and Stepping Stone for their work with the GLBT alcohol/drug recovery community. Both of these organizations have changed and saved countless lives. With funding cuts affecting all social service organizations, the boards of directors of the Alano Club and of Stepping Stone are having to make changes. Some community leaders agree with the organizational changes, while others do not. Whatever our position is, let us continue to respect the hard work and dedication of these organizations. Board members are volunteers and do not get paid for what they do. We must continue to have a positive dialogue between the clients, members and board members of these two important organizations.

San Diego will be hosting the National Convention for the Log Cabin Republicans next year. Plans are already underway to prepare for and welcome Republican VIPs from around the United States. Patrick Sammon, Log Cabin National President, was in town last week to discuss the upcoming convention with local political activists. The San Diego GLBT community should roll out the red carpet for this national gathering. We should do the same for all the GLBT national conventions we host.

My phone has been ringing off the hook over the upcoming “GLBT political race of the century” in San Francisco. State Assemblymember Mark Leno, who is openly gay and sponsor of the California marriage equality bill, is taking on the longtime, openly lesbian and powerful incumbent state Senator Carole Migden. I’ve been hearing from my San Francisco friends that it’s like a civil war is going on up there. Now Police Commissioner Joseph Alioto-Veronese, who is straight and a member of the powerful Alioto-Veronese political dynasty, has entered the race.

Following Midgen’s recent car accident, which caused a two-car crash, the senator has been under close scrutiny. Prosecutors are charging her with reckless driving resulting in bodily injury.

I am friends with both Mark and Carole, but I feel that Mark is more down to earth and connected to the people.

Gay activists in Hollywood are voicing their concerns over actor John Travolta playing drag queen Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, the musical. There are objections to Travolta playing Edna because of his membership in the Church of Scientology, which excludes GLBT people from becoming members. Who would want to join this cult anyway?

Many of us remember the scandal that broke over Travolta’s two-year liaison with porn star Paul Barresi. Travolta sued Barresi for selling his story with pictures to the National Enquirer. Soon after the scandal, Travolta joined Scientology, got married and started a family. Hmm….

The official candidates for Imperial Court de San Diego’s emperor XXXVI are Brian Johnson and Daddy Don. For empress XXXVI, the candidates are Chantel and Lola. The emperor and empress will be elected at the 35th annual Coronation on Saturday, Aug. 4. It will be an evening of pageantry, tradition, entertainment and dinner (and, no, not chicken). This year’s Coronation will take place at the Western Horton Plaza Hotel’s main ballroom. For more information and tickets, call 619-993-8315.