Well I’m back from Philadelphia, a city I absolutely love. Now, I’m on my way to Washington, D.C. for about five days. I’ll see you when I see you my beloved fans and foes! (Don’t forget, voting for the Nicky Awards begins this weekend!)

As you know I was in Philadelphia as a keynote speaker for the historic, first National Black and Brown Summit, bringing together leaders and activists from all over the nation. It was an important summit, building a black and Latino national coalition. My co-keynote speaker was Mandy Carter, a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and a good friend of the late Coretta Scott King. I had a nice conversation with Philadelphia’s newly-elected mayor, Michael Nutter, who told me the city is about 8 percent Latino and 50 percent black.

The city hall is like a European mini-castle. Ben Gomez and I also stopped by the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, the home of Cardinal Justin Rigali. I spent a while praying and thanking God for blessing me with good friends, who I also prayed for.

My keynote speech went so well I was honored to be asked to speak in Chicago and New York. Carolina Ramos, Phyllis Jackson, Stampp Corbin and Ben Gomez represented San Diego’s GLBT black/brown community.

I’ll tell you all about gay nightlife in Philadelphia in my next column!

The San Diego Democratic Club’s recent vote to make District 3 City Council candidate Stephen Whitburn a “priority campaign” is an insult to many in our community, including candidate Todd Gloria, a progressive Democrat, person of color, long-time SDDC member and lifetime community activist.

In more than 30 years, the club has only designated “priority candidates” when Democratic candidates run in a competitive race against an unacceptable Republican candidate. This is clearly not the case in District 3. Gloria scored the same on the club’s endorsement questionnaire and has been endorsed by such progressive organizations as the Labor Council, the League of Conservation Voters, the Chicano Democratic Association, and Councilmember Ben Hueso, who voted for the same-sex marriage amicus brief.

Last June, the SDDC angered many GLBT community leaders with the underhanded tactics it used to secure its endorsement of its former club president, Whitburn. Many of us were disturbed that the club wouldn’t even rate the other openly gay candidate (and former board president of The Center) as acceptable. This newest development is nothing short of an insult. More than anything, it shows the SDDC is out of touch with the community and desperate to elect its handpicked candidate. Whitburn is still in third place in polling, behind Gloria and John Hartley (even in polls taken after Hartley’s arrest). It’s a fact that more GLBT leaders, activists and businesspeople have endorsed Gloria, not Whitburn. The SDDC membership comprising people of color has always been less than 5 percent, so it comes as no surprise to San Diegans of color that the club wouldn’t support Gloria, who would make history as the first Filipino and Native American to be elected to the council. This is all about the SDDC wanting to control the District 3 council seat with its ex-president. This is about the SDDC trying to shove Whitburn, who is in third in polling, down our throats. Do you know Stephen Whitburn had the gall to sign a petition to re-review the state Democratic Party’s endorsement of Congressmember Susan Davis? Well enough is enough … I am happy to hear that some GLBT leaders and businesspeople have met and will re-establish the Harvey Milk Democratic Club after the November elections. It’s about time we have an alternative to the SDDC.

As for the club’s attack on District 5 candidate Carl DeMaio, the attacks from the Democrats are actually helping the conservative Republican! DeMaio has never been a gay activist and the district always elects a conservative council representative. DeMaio is way ahead in the polls!

The state’s current hard-working attorney general, Jerry Brown, could easily be back in the governor’s chair in 2011. Of course, many of us remember Gov. Brown when he led our state from 1975-1983. While many thought his ideas and leadership were a little unconventional (the press nicknamed him “Gov. Moonbeam”), the fact is, like Al Gore, Gov. Brown was ahead of his time, and now many of his ideas have become realities. While there are many other high-ranking Democratic officials looking to run for governor, I’ve seen a poll which places Brown in the No. 1 position. Gov. Brown was truly one of our state’s most progressive governors and has always been a true friend to our community, and a strong believer in equality for every Californian.

I was a strong backer of Gov. Brown in the 1970s and, of course, endorsed him for attorney general. It would be good to see him back in the governor’s chair.

Because I’m headed off to Washington, D.C., I was given a private pre-tasting dinner at Universal’s new restaurant, Dish, which opens this weekend. Well, you better start making your reservations now because this place is going to be packed every night! First of all, I sampled everything on the menu and everything was outstanding. The main courses range from $15-$22, with an incredible steak only costing $22.

Dish’s executive chef (definitely of the “Iron Chef” class) is at the top of his game, and he purchases all the produce fresh from all over the county. Chef Antonio Friscia is an Italian master chef, in my opinion.

Dish will be serving incredible tasting Italian, French, German, Mexican and American dishes. The restaurant even has a “chef de cuisine,” Tomas Kemp, who hails from Germany and is a top chef in his own right. Dish also has a phenomenal pastry chef who makes all the desserts, the best in town, in house. The entire Dish staff is very friendly and professional. The handsome Tim Thomas is the wonderful general manager, and our server was the handsome and knowledgeable Andrzej Zabicki. The beautiful red-headed hostess Seana Horrobin was also very helpful! Dish will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to midnight, with brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Dish is a five-star restaurant with beyond reasonable prices. For more information, visit www.dishhillcrest.com or call 619-296-DISH.

Last year, 16-year-old Danny Zabicki was diagnosed with stage four sarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer. Danny is the brother of Andrzej Zabicki, who serves at Martinis Above Fourth and Dish. Last year, the team at Martinis Above Fourth organized a fund-raiser, with all proceeds benefiting the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society in “Team Danny’s” name.

Join the boys at Martinis Above Fourth on May 8 at 7 p.m. for the second annual Celebrate Life “date” auction. Local restaurants are donating dining certificates to be auctioned off with local bachelors. There are a number of incredible restaurants donating, and the bachelors are very hot! This is a great way to show our support for the Zabicki family. We’ll see you there! For more information, call 951-313-7331.