I want to most sincerely thank all of you who are sending me so many beautiful wedding invitations. Last week I received 14! Please know that if I’m not there it’s because I really just could not make it. There are many dear friends who are getting married and I cannot attend their weddings, and I feel really bad about it.

It is very upsetting that a young man was shot to death by the Harbor Police during Pride. But early reports I received turned out to be true and the young dancer had about three drugs in his system, including meth. He dove off the ship and fought off the boat crew’s rescue attempts. Then, not only did he fight the Harbor Police, he seized a Taser gun from one of the officers and began to beat the officer. After that, he reached for the officer’s firearm and an officer responded by shooting him.

I feel deeply for his parents as the investigation continues, but now things make sense concerning the victim’s irrational behavior fighting off attempts to save him. The Harbor Police have had an outstanding record and are well respected. I believe this may only be the second fatal shooting the agency has ever had. The Harbor Police chief and his staff have always had a good relationship with the GLBT community. They have even marched in the Pride parades for decades. I once again ask the community to hold any judgment until the final investigation is completed. I’ve had a lengthy discussion with the Harbor Police chief and will be meeting with him again in the coming weeks.

Councilmember-elect Carl DeMaio hasn’t even been sworn into office and he is already making more headlines than some current councilmembers combined. First the conservative Republican had a joint news conference on future council reform with liberal Democrat Donna Frye. He has also taken the lead against a new city hall building. With District 5, which he represents, being the farthest away from city hall, he has now announced that he will not stay in his office at city hall, but work out of an office in his district to make himself more accessible to his constituents. I think Carl DeMaio is more of a Teddy Roosevelt Republican than a George Bush one!

The recent issue of Zenger’s Newsmagazine had a front cover headline that stated “David Copley outed.” The fact is that David Copley was first outed in an article in the San Diego Reader in the late 1980s. He was also outed again when the Andrew Cunanan story broke.

The truth is everyone knows Richard Simmons is gay and everyone has always known that David Copley is gay. They both, however, think it is their secret and nobody knows. Ahh, the closet … what a horrible place to live!

In a move to bring new energy and new life to the Greater San Diego Business Association Foundation, there has almost been a complete turnover of the board of directors. New major officers are Stampp Corbin, president; Lisa Sanders, vice president; and City Commissioner Bruce Abrams, secretary. After being urged to remain by the entire board, longtime boardmember Chris Shaw remains on the board. The GSDBA Foundation co-produces Hillcrest Mardi Gras and has other plans for the future, such as a community picnic called Pink Flamingos in the Park, and a 40 Under 40 Awards brunch. The GSDBA Foundation has on the top of its priorities a better and closer working relationship with the GSDBA.

With such high gas prices and the state of the economy, these are indeed hard times. Now more than ever we need to support the GLBT-owned and GLBT-friendly businesses. Many of these businesses contribute to various GLBT, HIV/AIDS and cancer organizations. Especially during these difficult times, let’s show our support to those who support us.

Congratulations to Chris Keith, who is inviting everyone to the grand opening of his new gym, Boot Camp 619 on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. Located at 5277 Linda Vista Road, Boot Camp 619 has it all for those who want to make a positive change in their health, fitness and well-being. Chris has been voted Best Personal Trainer by 944 and San Diego Magazine. Let this handsome man train you to get in better shape than you’ve ever been – and have the time of your life doing it. For more information, call Chris at 619-840-9099 or visit www.bootcamp619.com.