Don’t forget! There is only one week left to register to vote if you want to participate in the upcoming presidential primary. So do it today!

“When her moustache is on fire.” A high-ranking staff member of a GLBT social service organization told this so-called “joke” to the visiting president of another GLBT social service organization. When the board president called me to express his shock at the “joke,” I told him to officially express his outrage to the staff members’ board of directors. After two weeks, the high-ranking staff member was fired (I believe quicker action should have been taken). The board also found out that this individual had been telling such “jokes” to his subordinates for a while. The high-ranking staff member did call me to apologize after he was informed that I knew about the incident and had conversations with the president of the organization. That this high-ranking staff member felt “comfortable” saying this sexist/homophobic “joke” at his own work place, which serves our GLBT community, to me, speaks volumes about him. But the truth is, sexism is alive and well in the GLBT community. By the way, the fired high-ranking official owns a business in the heart of Hillcrest that caters to our community.

In a solid move toward campaign reform, 2008 starts with a ban against Congress employing family members as paid staff. Congressmember Bob Filner’s wife, Jane Filner, was his main campaign fund-raiser and thus earned hundreds of thousands of dollars for about a decade. Many congressmembers had the same “wife” situation, and it was totally legal. Now Jane Filner is without her main client, but City Council candidate Stephen Whitburn has hired her to be his fund-raiser. And Congressmember Filner has endorsed Whitburn. Many GLBT community leaders and activists are not happy with Filner’s endorsement and what it looks like. Attorney Bruce Abrams and I organized Filner’s $1,000-a-plate GLBT re-election dinner. And, yes, we are very disappointed with Filner that he didn’t even consult with his own GLBT advisory board.

I have supported Filner since his school board days. I am very proud of his effective leadership as chair of the Veterans Committee, and I will continue to support him. I have always loved Jane Filner and still do, but all this does not sit well. The “perception” in District 3 over this endorsement isn’t good. I still think Filner is an outstanding congressmember but am very disappointed with this controversial endorsement.

I just returned from Oklahoma, where it was a freezing 26 degrees and a jam-packed three-days for me. Oklahoma just suffered a very ugly hate crime with the murder of an elderly gay man by a neo-Nazi Aryan brotherhood organization.

In my speeches while in the state, I saluted the Midwestern GLBT communities, as they are on the frontlines of our fight for equality. I’ve seen with my own eyes the courage of GLBT citizens of the state of Iowa, Nebraska and now Oklahoma. They deserve all our respect and support.

Now here is a complete example of how two gay Hollywood celebrities have handled their sexual orientation. First of all, you would have to be blind and deaf not to know that both Carson Kressley and Richard Simmons are in many ways flaming queens with a great sense of humor. Both have shows trying to help people and make them feel good about themselves and give them self-confidence.

While Kressley is an openly gay celebrity, whose “star” continues to rise and continues to get more TV offers, Simmons is still in the closet and denies he is gay (he dated one of my ex’s partners for months). Kressley has proven you can be a Hollywood star and be openly gay, while having fun with it. Simmons’ star is fading fast, but, sadly, he still clings to his closet.

With the re-opening of Hawthorn’s in the historic North Park Theater building, one North Park resident told me that he was happy that North Park finally had a classy and beautiful restaurant/bar-lounge. This past, Tuesday I attended the private VIP dinner opening celebration at 2895 University Ave. Hawthorn’s is most certainly the sparkling diamond in the crown of the North Park business district. New owners Michael Mack and David Cohen event brought forth many San Diego movers and shakers, including City Council candidates, gay and straight magazine editors, and the community’s business elite. The design, atmosphere, food and service certainly make the new Hawthorn’s a “five-star” restaurant/bar lounge. You have to check it out for yourself. Just one meal here and you’ll make this hot spot one of your regular restaurant/bar stops. Congratulations to Michael and David! Just follow the crowds to Hawthorn’s. 619-295-1688, www.hawthornssd.com

Those great guys of Bears San Diego will be holding their 10th annual Sunbears Weekend this coming weekend Jan. 17-21. The event will be a benefit for The Center’s HIV Prevention and Support Division and the Children’s AIDS Fund. Bears San Diego is one of the most outstanding, fun and caring social organizations and has a solid record of giving back to the community. Calling all bears and bear lovers; it’s going to be another great event. For more information, e-mail sdbear613@aol.com.

Don’t forget that Big Mike’s Birthday Bash will be held at Hawthorn’s Monday, Jan. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. It’s going to be a great time and everyone is invited. For more information, call 619-807-7324.