Well, after months of traveling to Washington, D.C., Boston, Dallas, Nevada, New York, etc., I am so happy I’ll be in town the rest of the month … but it looks like I will be gone every weekend in January!

All month I have been receiving calls because many of our GLBT organizations and AIDS agencies are facing serious financial crises due to the economy, etc. Some will be closing their doors entirely. Some are cutting staff and hours of operation to offset big drops in donations and funding. Even The San Diego LGBT Community Center has had to cut staff and has had special meetings to figure out how to survive these difficult times. Now is the time for Special Delivery and Mama’s Kitchen to merge. We cannot support two meal delivery services for people living with AIDS – we are the only city in the nation with two! Millions of dollars were spent on the No on 8 campaign, and millions more on weddings up and down the state. Please give what you can – even if it’s a $10, $25 or $50 check, it all adds up. It’s time to face the fact that every community and every social service organization in America is being affected. Please do what you can. Thank you.

Our newly elected Councilman Todd Gloria gathered almost 200 of his constituents to wake up early Monday morning and join him and his partner Jason and the Gloria family – including his proud parents – to walk from Balboa Park in District 3 to Golden Hall Downtown to watch Gloria be sworn in. Yes, we all walked, even this fat, old queen.

Councilman Gloria became the first councilman in our city’s history to walk from his District to his swearing in, sending a strong message that he will continue to be a public servant for all people, and walk beside his constituents. Residents from University Heights, North Park, Normal Heights, Kensington, Hillcrest, etc. joined in and carried signs. I must admit I was tired, but Todd’s swearing in speech was so moving and inspirational. He talked about being the son of a hotel maid and a gardener, and becoming a councilman – giving hope to all people that they can dream and achieve anything they want in this great nation of ours, especially inspiring youth who come from poor homes, or are GLBT or from different ethnic backgrounds. Judge David Rubin swore Todd in, and Todd received a huge standing ovation. By the way, Harvey Milk walked from the Castro to City Hall for his swearing in San Francisco in 1978.

I urge you all to come out and show your appreciation and love to 13 heroes in our community this Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets are only $50. The Center will host the event, and there will be great food, and a lot of pride. “Honoring Heroes, Pioneers and Trailblazers” is this year’s theme, so come on out and see Sen. Chris Kehoe, Judge Ted Weathers, Ben F. Dillingham III, Steve Padilla, Matt Stephens, Bridget Wilson, Bob Lynn, Teresa Oyos, Delores Jacobs, Kevin Tilden, Stanley Lewis and Regina Reinhardt honored. Also coming to town will be a major character in the Milk movie and the founder of The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, gay icon Cleve Jones, who will be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. For more information on buying tickets, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1094.

As I predicted, hardworking Councilman Ben Hueso was elected the new City Council president, defeating Donna Frye handily, as she only received her own vote, and the vote of Sherri Lightner. Interestingly enough, an unscientific Gay & Lesbian Times public opinion poll asked if Donna should be elected council president and 61 percent of respondents said “yes.” I supported Councilman Hueso because he is a bridge builder and brings people and communities together. He is the calm and strong leader we need, and he’s not someone who always wants to be in the media spotlight simply because he wants to go on to higher office.

The generosity of our community and straight friends never ceases to amaze me. In these difficult times, $20,000 was raised for the Queen Eddie Conlon Youth Fund, which I and Nathan Garcia established more than a decade ago, and which is administered today by The Center. The Imperial Court de San Diego raises money all year long for it.

Martinis Above Fourth hosted its fifth annual Wreath Auction, which has now raised more than $80,000 in just five years. The money provides clothing, school supplies, food, bus passes and shelter (in the form of The Center’s Youth Housing Project) to GLBT teens, students and those in the Youth Housing Project. Popular owners Dale Dubach, Chaz Weathers and Johnny Osgood were rightfully honored by Mayor Jerry Sanders, Councilmen Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio, the Human Relations Commission, and the Imperial Court. They all received a much deserved prolonged standing ovation by the huge crowd. A big thank you to volunteers John Carey and Michael Brierley, the entire staff of Martinis Above Fourth, auctioneers John Laird and A.J, the wreath boys, the “anonymous Santa” who spent $3,000, and everyone who gave money – especially Curt McCosh, Phillip Bean and Bob Nelson. Take a bow Martinis – you did it again, and our GLBT youth thank you too!

One of the most respected and dedicated organizations is the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice of San Diego County, where religious leaders from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc. faith communities speak out for workers who seem to not have enough support and concern from our communities – be they janitors, maids, people of color, women, etc. I loved this breakfast and I loved seeing so many religious leaders work together. Our very own City Commissioner Bruce Abrams was the co-chair of this huge event – outstanding job Bruce! Rightfully honored were respected businessman and civic leader Steve Cushman and Quynh Nguyen. Thank you Rabbi Coskey and your organization for all you do!

It’s a great and long overdue new beginning for GLBT Republicans with the establishment of the local “Republicans for Equality,” a chapter of the national Log Cabin Republicans. All GLBT Republicans and friends are invited this Saturday, Dec. 13 from 8-10 p.m. to the beautiful home of Tom Hebrank (the respected new chair of the city’s pension board). For more information, including RSVP information, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com/links/1094. Finally, our GLBT Republicans are stepping up to the plate and becoming more strongly organized and visible. All the best to the Republicans for Equality!

Look who’s bartending at The Eagle Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-9 p.m. – it’s Dutch! The sexy man, formerly at Redwing, is now serving at The Eagle, San Diego’s only gay leather bar now celebrating six years in town.

You can also visit this hunk on Christmas Day and get a special present. Ask him to take his shirt off – he’s lookin’ good for an old man! Kidding Dutch – you just keep getting better with age! Love the smile, and everything else on you!

Visit Dutch and the great, friendly staff at The Eagle located just east of 30th Street in North Park. The Eagle is open from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday and 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday.

Join everyone in learning some new dance steps while raising money for a good cause. Yes, you read it right, the folks at KP Dance House will be hosting the first annual Dance Show-Off at Bacchus House on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. Sign-up for a month-long class for $10 and the Hillcrest Youth Center will receive 50 percent of the proceeds!