I was very proud of last week’s editorial. Our city’s first woman Fire Chief Tracy Jarman is an outstanding citizen who has dedicated her life to helping and saving people’s lives and property. Now, she is continually being attacked by homophobics, and threatened with a lawsuit. City Attorney Mike Aguirre told me he would defend her himself. Hang in there Tracy. Always know you are not alone, and we are here for you 24/7.

Pete Wilson was mayor of San Diego from 1971 to 1983, which included the reign of terror under Police Chief Ray Hoobler. Even now, police officers have admitted that during Hoobler’s time, the police department was, in fact, one of the most racist, sexist, and homophobic PDs in the state. I remember seeing same-sex couples in our bars arrested by vice officers for “lewd conduct” for dancing together or kissing each other. I remember seeing police not only harassing gays, but many times, beating them (as well as African Americans and Latinos). Our community was in the Dark Ages of discrimination and harassment in San Diego. And then, Mayor Wilson refused to do anything and would not even recognize GLBT people as San Diegans. To Pete Wilson, homosexuals did not exist in San Diego.

Our Center in the early 1970s was a telephone answering machine at Jess Jessop’s house. We had to fight City Hall to get our first Pride permits, MCC and Dignity were just being established, and the only fund-raising being done was by the Imperial Court (co-founded by Darl Edwards) and the two bars owned by Lou and Carol Arko. It was certainly the “Dark Ages” for our community and other minorities. So, our community should make its presence known and join other communities this Saturday, Aug. 25 at 3 p.m. at Horton Plaza (near the NBC building), and let Pete Wilson know that we will never forget how he turned his back on us and refused to include gays in his vision for America’s Finest City.

A statue of Wilson will be unveiled Saturday on our city’s Walk of Fame. Now, with Wilson’s statue, it will most certainly be a Walk of Shame. Please come Saturday to demonstrate for your community. For more info, please call (619) 342-6272 or (619) 692-1967.

It was great to recently be in a nation where GLBT citizens can marry, join any branch of the military, and every citizen is entitled to health care. Canada is a great nation indeed, and I had the pleasure of meeting GLBT Canadian activists from 12 cities. I will be working with Eagle, Canada’s version of our National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Throughout the last decades, I’ve always enjoyed all my trips to Canada, as Canadians are a most welcoming, warm people. Their bars are interesting, too, and you are kind of shocked when you walk in to them because there are completely nude dancers. Of course, I was too busy with meetings and commitments to go to any.

Canada has many GLBT elected officials and Toronto’s Pride parade attracted one million people. (I just love those Toronto men’s French accents.) I highly recommend a chain of restaurants throughout Canada called The Keg, which have the best steaks I’ve eaten anywhere.

I had three different speaking engagements that went well, and my meetings turned out to be very productive. I will be returning to Canada in about two months. Crossing the border was easy, and there wasn’t a long wait (I came in from New York, and I didn’t need a passport.) My flight back to San Diego was pure hell and took 12 hours (I sure can feel Congressman Filner’s pain). Southwest Airlines seems to conveniently forget to leave off the itinerary that it will be stopping in about four other cities before you get home!

Included in many of the exciting events celebrating Hillcrest’s Centennial will be a fabulous restaurant week, Sept. 4-9, and there will be many specials and surprises. Hillcrest is home to some of the very best restaurants in San Diego, so get out and enjoy. I urge you all to support these great Centennial events celebrating Hillcrest, as it is the unofficial home of our GLBT community (with North Park not far behind). In the 1980s, one of our local newspapers called me the Mayor of Hillcrest, and I remember when I lived above a store called Clown Town, where Corvette Diner now is. Now, I live in the Shady Pines of Hillcrest, so maybe that makes me the oldest queen in Hillcrest!

I want to give a shout out and props to Ann Garwood and her longtime partner Nancy Moors of the Hillquest Guide (what a fabulous publication) for their leadership, dedication and neighborhood spirit when it comes to supporting Hillcrest. If I’m the old mayor of Hillcrest, then these women are our first ladies. The Hillcrest Centennial Celebration was their idea. Also, a big thank you to the Hillcrest Town Council, Hillcrest Business Improvement Association, Scripps Mercy Hospital, SDG&E, UCSD Medical Center and our very own County Supervisor Ron Roberts. A big bravo to them all. For more information on the Hillcrest Centennial Celebration, visit www.hillquest.com.

The unbelievable, beautiful estate of San Diego icon Bobbie Bohannan will host the fifth major fund-raiser for City Council District 3 front-runner Todd Gloria. Everyone is invited and most welcome to attend and make a contribution of $50, $100 or $270. For more information, contact Leslie Akers at (619) 239-1721. For more information about events, articles, pictures and more, log on to Gloria’s Web site, www.toddgloria.com.

Yes, for a night of hot men, great music, and a really fun time, follow the crowds to Rich’s this Saturday, Aug. 25. from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for a charity masquerade ball. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative mask. While masks and costumes are encouraged, they are not required – but having a great time is! There will be a $10 donation at the door, and it will benefit the GLBT Youth Center. This event is being hosted by a handsome young man named Justin Smith, and many of his handsome friends, including an older guy named “Big Mike!” For more information, call (814) 574-2094. See you all at Rich’s this Saturday night.