This weather has kicked my butt at times! I’m dealing with it, though, and I hope all of you who have the flu or ailing bones are doing OK. I was scheduled to travel to a National Gay and Lesbian Task Force national board meeting this past week, but my doctor strongly advised me to stay home. As I look at the next two months of my calendar, I’m scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Sacramento, Denver, Detroit, Long Beach … the list goes on. I just have to learn to say “no,” because I’ve come to hate flying!

Many of you, as usual, are asking my opinion on how to vote on the state propositions in the upcoming California Primary. Well, here are my endorsements:

Prop 91 (transportation funding): No!

Prop 92 (community college funding): No!

Prop 93 (term limits): Yes!

Props 94, 95, 96, 97 (Indian gaming compacts/casino expansion): Yes!

This past Sunday’s Metropolitan Community Church service was packed, as one of our city’s first openly gay attorneys, longtime activist and steward of the MCC was honored for his 40 years of service to the church and the community.

Sen. Christine Kehoe, Councilmember Toni Atkins, Dr. Delores Jacobs and I were asked to speak about Al. What can you say about such a noble and giving man? If you looked the word “gentleman” up in the dictionary, you would likely find Al Smithson’s picture there. Al Smithson is one activist in our community who I have always loved and respected. City Council candidate Todd Gloria was in the crowd, and I found it disappointing that no officers from the San Diego Democratic Club were there to pay respect to one of its founding members and longtime supporters.

After all these years, you kind of get to know that it is almost always the same people who write the most negative letters, or try to mislead people by misinterpreting what I write. Here comes Mr. Trowbridge. I never insulted Jane Filner, nor would I ever. I love her and respect her. I never suggested or insulted all women, and never said she, nor other wives of political officeholders, could only get a job by being a paid campaign staffer. I ran your letter, Ian, and my column, by a dozen women (including supporters of your council candidate) and they all said, in their opinion, you were either stupid, can’t read or were trying to make me look bad by making up the fact that I insulted women. In my opinion, you’re just stupid.

Every year, the black community holds a Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast and a parade. Every year, the Latino community holds a Cesar Chavez Unity Breakfast and a parade. These breakfasts bring out not only black and Latino community members, but members of all communities, elected leaders, corporations, chamber of commerces, etc., from around the county. They are completely wonderful, inspiring and entertaining events, that encourage students to get involved, and the ticket prices are low.

At the recent MLK breakfast, City Commissioner Tom Felkner asked me, “Isn’t it time our community has one?” And, of course, I ran with Tom’s great idea. I brought it up with Ron deHarte, executive director of San Diego Pride, and had lunch with Dr. Delores Jacobs, and soon we will be forming a committee to plan a breakfast possibly scheduled Friday morning of the Pride celebration. The timing of this, 2009, will be perfect, because it will coincide with the major motion picture being released about that time on … the life of Harvey Milk! This will be a most important event, because we must continue to educate people to tell them our struggle for full equality is, indeed, a “civil rights” cause.

It may have been pouring rain like cats and dogs, but a brave and fearless crowd turned out for the Soulplates benefit in the beautiful lobby of the Copley Symphony Hall.

Joining me at my table were Sherman Mendoza of the Caliph, Rick Ford, Jim Ginelli of Stepping Stone, Emperor Chris, Empress La La and City Councilmember Donna Frye, whose artist plate once again raised the most money.

Being Alive is the biggest AIDS agency in the county and deserves all of our support. Sherman ended up in a bidding war over an autographed picture of Elizabeth Taylor and a gift box full of her Diamond perfumes. He won and, sweetly, gave them to me.

I loved Baja Betty’s carnitas tacos (good job to manager Mary Cortney. We love you!). A big congratulations to the board staff, volunteers and especially executive director Sharon Wagner, a woman I greatly admire and respect.

This past Sunday, I had brunch at Lei Lounge, and even in the cold weather they had a waiting line, as Lei still reigns as one of the most popular restaurant bars to go to.

Though predominately gay, it has a mixed crowd of generation X-ers, and everyone of any lifestyle or age is made to feel welcome. I’ve had their great dinner, and at any brunch or dinner I’ve spotted everyone from Mayor Jerry Sanders, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, City Councilmember Toni Atkins to Judge David Rubin and numerous city commissioners, models, young business owners, video stars, etc.

Lei’s and Bourbon Street’s sole owners are those great Weiss brothers, Michael and Billy. Lei also has hot-looking staff and outstanding food – check out especially its enchiladas, beef shish kabob, eggs Benedict, Kobe burgers and unbelievable fries.