This year is a most important election year. Get involved. Register to vote and volunteer with The Center’s LGBT San Diego Delivers the Vote 2008, GLBT Vote 2008, the San Diego Democratic Club, the Log Cabin Republicans, Stonewall Young Democrats, etc.

At Monday’s All People’s Breakfast honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a rap group named Collective Purpose performed a song titled “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” I, along with many others I spoke to, were greatly disappointed with some of the song’s lyrics – including references to police as “pigs” and repeating that reference in the chorus three times. All the while, the San Diego and National City police chiefs and police officers were in attendance to support the event. Also, the song included lyrics that said, “white men” would not be involved in the “revolution.” Does that sound like it fits the theme of the All People’s Breakfast?!

I remember a time when our police departments were racist, sexist and homophobic, but things have changed tremendously, and our police departments do not deserve to have these insults hurled at them (nor do “white men,” who attended the breakfast in hundreds).

Also, City Commissioner Tom Felkner was verbally assaulted by a black man who yelled at him outside the lobby that Martin Luther King Jr. wouldn’t have wanted gays at the breakfast. The man kept pointing and saying, “faggot alert.” I know this man did not speak for all black people, but this shows we still have a long way to go. I will be writing to the organizers of the breakfast about these incidents and my concerns. But, I do thank Dr. Russell Dehnel for being the only speaker at the entire event to mention homophobia and the word “gay.” Thank you Dr. Dehnel.

I will not let that rap group’s ugly words define the annual event, which I always look forward to. More than 2,000 San Diegans attended the breakfast from all walks of life. Entertainers Shivon Carreno, Chunky Sanchez and the Lincoln High Gospel Choir were wonderful, and the keynote speaker, the legendary Odetta, had us all in the palm of her hand. What a great, grand lady and historical figure! It was good to see in attendance so many GLBT leaders and activists – from The Center, GSDBA (which even took out an ad) San Diego Pride, the SDDC, GLBT Vote 2008, the Metropolitan Community Church, etc. It was great to see the true diversity of our city within the thousands of attendees.

The 53rd congressional district covers District 3 of the San Diego City Council (Hillcrest, North Park, Normal Heights, University Heights, etc.), where most of us live.

The district’s current Congressmember, Susan Davis, and the first-elected female Democratic Congressmember Lynn Schenk have endorsed Todd Gloria for City Council. (Bob Filner lives outside the district, and his congressional district includes Imperial County.) Davis, who has served this district as a school board member and a State Assemblymember, has known Gloria since he was in high school here in San Diego. She has endorsed Gloria because of his, and I quote, “dedication to the community, his intellectual honesty and passion for public service.” Former Congressmember Schenk is also a former chief of staff to the office of the governor and continues to be one of the Democratic Party’s most respected national, state and local leaders.

The world famous D.Z. Akins deli was the spot District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and I decided to have lunch this week. We met to discuss her leadership and actions on gang violence, Jessica’s Law (which protects children), prison parolee programs and the very important Crystal Darkness Day, dealing with our city and county’s growing drug problem. I don’t know how this hardworking woman even has time for lunch. District Attorney Dumanis has earned high marks locally and statewide for turning the San Diego District Attorney’s office around from eight years of ineffectiveness, unproductive behavior and negativity, changing it into a very open office, noted for its action and leadership that aims to protect all our citizens.

Bonnie, working hand in hand with our police department and sheriff’s department, has made gang violence decrease by declaring war on local gangs. Statewide, people are talking about Bonnie as a future State Attorney General. Locally, people are talking about Dumanis as our next mayor (after Jerry Sanders, of course). When I ask Bonnie about all this talk, she dismisses the rumors and says she is 100 percent concentrating on her current job, and says she doesn’t have time to think about her future.

The new 2008 Greater San Diego Business Association’s Directory is out and it looks better than ever! I love the cover. It truly reflects our city and our community as a great part of “America’s Finest City.” Shawn Ryan of Metrodigm Visual Design did an outstanding job. In my opinion, it is the best cover yet. Also, excellent job to Cathy Paddock, of Missing Ink Printing and Graphics, who always does a professional and excellent job with the interior design of the GSDBA Directory.

I’d like to sincerely thank the board of directors. I attended and spoke at one of their meetings and asked them to please include the history of the GSDBA – and they did, including a timeline! It was good to see the names of the 1979 founding members, particularly because five of them have died (most recently Bob Clark). Those two pages of history brought back so many memories, as I’m sure they did for many others.

In 2000, I remember working in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. Business Administration during the Clinton years. I worked with Deputy Secretary Irma Munoz to make history in getting our GSDBA to become the first ever GLBT chamber to sign an official accord with a presidential administration. (GSDBA President Bryan Garity and I worked as a team to make this historic event happen.)

The GSDBA has grown from 21 members in 1979 to 800 members this year, and every year the organization gathers toys for children, among other charitable acts. Congratulations to Executive Director Joyce Marieb, the entire staff, the board of directors and all members!

Monday found me, along with Gay & Lesbian Times Publisher Michael Portantino, in Hollywood for the annual WeHo Community Awards. I was honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime activist (for more than three decades) to Ms. Jean Harris, currently a top aide to the president of the State Senate pro-tem, former aide to the speaker of the State Assembly, and a former top aide to the office of the mayor of San Francisco. Jean Harris is greatly responsible for building Equality California into what it is today.

Portantino presented the Vanguard Award to Hollywood legend, writer, actor, comedian Bruce Vilanch, who never says “no” when he’s asked to help with countless charities and AIDS benefits. There were a lot of TV stars, models, and Los Angeles movers and shakers in attendance.

As many of you know, I have never been a big sports fan (I do love bullfights and boxing, though), and I have never understood all the “Chargers fever” or Padres craziness, particularly when they come “close” and let fans down when they lose. Maybe I don’t understand because it brings up memories from my childhood. Like many young gay guys, I was always picked last for teams in junior and senior high school. Yes, I was totally into school government, debate squad, and I was the editor of the Inkwell. I hated gym/P.E. But, after seeing so many people in our city and community going crazy and getting excited every year over these two teams, I finally get it. It’s about pride and loyalty. So, yes, I am sad for you that the Chargers lost.

One of the most fun and great events of the year is this coming Saturday. Soulplates! is an event benefiting Being Alive (San Diego’s largest AIDS agency). It will be held from 6-9 p.m., with great food, entertainment and unbelievable, fabulous auction items, including items and plates from Elizabeth Taylor and other famous icons. I love this event, and so will you! Tickets are only $50. See you this Saturday night at Copley Symphony Towers (750 B. Street, or for more information, call 619-291-1400). See you all there!