I will report on the Nicky Awards in the next issue, but I’d like to say a big ‘thanks’ to Michael Mack and David Cohen. As the 2008 chairs of the show, Michael and David hosted one of the best Nick Awards shows in the last 30 years! Well, I’m off to Salt Lake City for five days.

Did you know that the very first soldier wounded, and later decorated, in the Iraq War was a gay, Latino sergeant from Texas? Yes, gays and lesbians have served our country in all wars and many have died defending our great nation. Let us not ever forget to remember and support those serving in silence. Let us not ever forget to honor and respect ALL veterans!

Many of you have been telling me you are going to get married. Please take this step very seriously. Along with all of the rights come all of the responsibilities. Talk to your attorneys (some may need to make prenuptial financial contracts), talk to a marriage counselor or spiritual adviser, and please, think before you commit. Just a word to the wise …

As I’ve said before, the San Diego Democratic Club continues to be out of touch with the majority of the people in our community. Instead of taking a no-position stand, or rating Mayor Jerry Sanders “acceptable,” the San Diego Democratic Club refuses to do either and has endorsed fringe candidate Floyd Morrow (who has no chance in hell of placing first or second in the mayor’s race) for mayor. Now, the club is calling on the GLBT community to support Morrow for mayor!

To not even vote to rate Mayor Sanders “acceptable” is an insult to a public servant who risked his career and his reelection to support our community and marriage equality. Let me make it very clear: I believe the SDDC has done many great and important things for our community. But making the Whitburn campaign a priority against another gay candidate (Todd Gloria) and refusing to rate our mayor as acceptable over Morrow, who hasn’t attended GLBT events in decades, is unacceptable.

I have been bombarded with calls, e-mails, etc., from people wanting to join the Harvey Milk Democratic Club. First, the club has a history in our community. It existed for about four years in the 1980s. Past presidents included Jim Cua and Dr. Al Best, the first openly gay candidate to run for City Council. I’m also a founder and past president, but I will not run for any office or serve on the board of the new club because of my health and my time commitments. I will, however, be a strong supporter of the club. The first re-organizing meeting will be after the November elections and huge financial commitments have already been made by a number of businesspeople. The Harvey Milk Democratic Club will in no way disrespect or battle the historic San Diego Democratic Club. Almost every major city has two GLBT democratic clubs and it is time San Diego does too. The Harvey Milk Democratic Club will follow the guidelines of the San Diego Democratic Central Committee and will run candidates for the central committee.

One of San Diego’s most popular and community-oriented couples, Tom Felkner and Bob Lehman, celebrated their 15-year anniversary last weekend. The two men have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to our community, and to political and civil rights causes. They’ve also volunteered for countless projects. Their dedication and leadership, when it comes to the Stonewall Citizens’ Patrol and GLBT veterans causes, is unmatched.

We are lucky to have couples like Bill Beck and David Huskey, Bob Nelson and Murray Olson, Kevin Tilden and Dr. Phil Diamond, Toni Atkins and Jennifer LaSar, Robert Gleason and Marc Matty, Chris Shaw and Doug Synden, and all couples who give back to our community. It’s great to see a younger couple like Tom and Bob become role models, like many of those couples I mentioned. Our community is blessed to have all of them be a part of our GLBT family. Congratulations Bob and Tom, and here is to 15 more years!

I am used to letters attacking me. I guess it’s fair game – I criticize so I must take criticism. But your letter crossed the line. You Mr. Metzger, say, “Poor Nicole, he/she is destitute and close to death …”

Well, yes, Mr. Metzger, I have been close to death. One time, had I not made it to the hospital within the half hour that I did, you probably would be happy to know, I would have died. While my doctors would like me to stay home and suck on an oxygen tank all the time, I refuse to. I will continue to keep the commitments I can and travel to my speaking engagements. I refuse to become a hermit and lay in bed for weeks. I hope you are happy with your attacks on me.