The recent death of Joan Kroc was a sad day for all San Diegans.… This caring philanthropist touched and changed the lives of countless thousands of people. She made many financial contributions to numerous causes, many times anonymously. During the early years of our AIDS crisis, she was one of the businesspeople who gave to our AIDS agencies… and the San Diego Hospice opened its doors after an $18.5 million donation from Mrs. Kroc…. May this grand and giving lady rest in peace.

During the Vietnam War I supported the policies of then Presidents Johnson and Nixon… only to learn years later of all the lies and deceit of our government. I again supported our President and troops during this Iraq war, but now I clearly see another Vietnam in the making…. It is time to bring our troops back, as more young soldiers are killed everyday. And to hell with giving Iraq $87 billion (not even a loan). The reality is that no matter what government we set up, when we leave it will be taken over by religious radicals like Iran was…. So in the end, like in Vietnam, it will be all for nothing. I will always support our troops while they are there, but it is time to bring them home and cut our losses now.

Many times when I go to events I have to leave early for another obligation and then I hear criticism about it…. Well, let me give you an example of my schedule just this past Sunday afternoon. First I went to the “Scouting For All Rally” in Balboa Park, then it was off to the Volleyball Tournament Benefit for The Center, then it was off to Six Degrees for a fundraiser for Sheri Devine, who has ovarian cancer. From there I went to Shooterz for the annual Broomstick Tournament for AIDS charity. After a meeting with a political candidate, my final stop was a fundraiser for a Latino agency… all in one afternoon and early evening…. So please understand if I don’t stay long at your events.… Enough said. Thank you.

It will be a smashing “GLBT Nite” at the downtown Convention Center for our Center’s 30th Anniversary Gala…. Congratulations to all of this year’s Center honorees, especially Dr. Bill Beck, who is receiving The Center’s highest honor, the Jess Jessop Founders Award, and the board of the all-volunteer Something Special Food Pantry. And bravo! to 2003 honorees Kim Metli, Saranique Schwartz and Roxy Wood, Pierrette Van Cleve, Susan Atkins, and Nick Taylor, all very deserving…. The Gala tickets are going like hotcakes, so get yours right now.… Call (619) 692-2077 for more information.

Many times I am asked why I don’t “out” politicians and elected public officials who are in the closet, especially those locally.… I believe as long as they are not hypocrites and anti-gay, it’s up to them when they want to come out, but… I was very bugged with a certain high-ranking state Democratic Party official “in the closet” who blasted Arnold Schwarzenegger for his wild sex life, while this closet case is no saint himself. I am disappointed in a local San Diego Superior Court judge who is retiring this year and is still in the closet. Yes, I wish a certain mayor of a local city in San Diego County would “come out” but this is his call to make, not ours…. And though I didn’t support a certain city council candidate who is in the closet in the last election, and word is that he may run again, it’s his decision when and if ever he decides to come out.… I could go on but I don’t have the space to go over all of our local high profile San Diego County “closet cases.”

As many of you know, this is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” but in all reality it is cancer awareness of all kinds, especially for women. Nothing brought this closer to home than a recent benefit held at Six Degrees for Sheri Devine, who is losing her battle with the disease. I stopped by to support family and friends of Sheri Devine and her partner of eight years, Jamie Campbell, who gathered together for a successful benefit that raised over $2,000.… I presented a check on behalf of the XXXII Imperial Court and Big Mike’s Rob Benzon/Ordinary Miracles Foundation…. The very best to Sheri and Jamie.… And God Bless you both and all your wonderful friends who supported this benefit.… “That’s what friends are for.”

The Castro, West Hollywood and North Park/Hillcrest GLBT districts in California were among the few areas that strongly voted “No on the Recall” and “Yes on Bustamante.”… Here in San Diego, like the entire state, Governor Davis’ most loyal supporters and voters were in the African-American and GLBT districts.… Here in San Diego credit should go to the San Diego Democratic Club, Gay and Lesbian Times, Update, GLBT Vote, and Assemblymember Kehoe and Councilmember Atkins.