I just returned from the state capitol and now I’m off to Oklahoma. Yes, you read right: Oklahoma. And yes, there is a thriving and growing GLBT community in Oklahoma.

I was in Sacramento for a state conference of city commissioners and for the Governor’s State of the State annual address. It was rather chilly but the conference was productive, and I had some private meetings with numerous state leaders. City Commissioners Tom Faulkner and Bruce Abrams also attended the conference. Interestingly, word is that our Gay & Lesbian Times publisher, Michael Portantino’s brother State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino is a top contender to be elected the next speaker of the State Assembly. He is among the top three mentioned. Also, as many of you know, openly lesbian State Sen. Carol Midgen is being challenged for re-election by openly gay State Assemblymember Mark Leno, and word has it that this race has become very ugly indeed. Now two straight candidates have entered the race, and we could lose this seat and the GLBT caucus in the state legislature.

I wish to apologize to Ms. Linda Jaffe for the very rude and nasty treatment and attitude she and her child received from numerous gay men in an audience during a recent holiday concert. So ugly was her treatment that she left the concert way before it ended. (Read her letter to the editor in last week’s issue.) It seems that many of the gay men attending the chorus concert made it very clear that they did not like or want a child in the audience, and they made their feelings known by stares and comments, such as “Are you trying to ruin my entire evening?” Jaffe and her child were made to feel so uncomfortable by the comments and stares that at the beginning of the chorus concert, when she was sitting near the front, she moved to the back of the theater. There she encountered even more hostility, so she just left. Are these the feelings of many gay men toward mothers – that they are not even welcome at the back of the bus?

The reality is that a lot of gay men do not like the growing number of GLBT families and the children of GLBT parents. Now, our events have GLBT parents bringing their children and this upsets gay men. We all know this is true. Even I have heard this from gay men, who ask why there are so many children around now and why are there so many organizations and programs for GLBT parents and their children?

Well guess what? We were all children at one time, and I for one am very proud of our brave and very loving GLBT parents (studies show almost zero abuse in GLBT households.) Jaffe and her child did not deserve this treatment, particularly during a holiday concert. Let us continue to embrace our growing diversity, which proudly includes our GLBT parents and their children. Thank you.

Prominent businessperson Jack D. Kisling threw a birthday party at Martinis Above Fourth for San Diego pioneer and legendary businessperson Darl Edwards of Club San Diego. It was a really nice evening, but some of us from the 1970s felt it was a reunion of the “Golden Girls” (yes, I’m “Blanche”).

Edwards has lived in San Diego for decades and has owned many businesses. He is the founder of the Imperial Court de San Diego, produced the first gay awards, some of our first gay events, is a past president of an AIDS food bank, and has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to countless GLBT social service agencies, including civil rights causes and AIDS organizations and very large donations to The San Diego LGBT Community Center and Stepping Stone. Darl Edwards has been placed on our community’s “Wall of Honor” and is a true gentleman with a great sense of humor. I look forward to celebrating his 97th birthday in 20 years, and I thank Darl for all he has done and continues to do.

One of San Diego’s most popular personalities, yes, Big Mike, is having a birthday party on Monday, Jan. 24 at the new Hawthornes (3895 University Ave.), located in the historic and beautiful Birch North Park Theatre. The party is from 6-9 p.m. and a $20 donation (or more) is being asked to benefit the Lambda Archives (our San Diego GLBT Historical Society). Food will be provided by Lei Lounge, Bite, Baja Betty’s and City Deli, and cake will be donated by the fabulous Baby Cakes (the old David’s). There also will be entertainment. So mark your calendar for Jan. 24.