I’m really beginning to hate traveling, especially flying. It’s getting so bad that soon I know I will have to be medicated to fly! Houston, Denver, Washington D.C., West Hollywood, Seattle, New York, San Francisco, Sacramento and Dallas, are some of the cities I’ve traveled to recently, or will be traveling to soon. Trust me, none of these have been vacations!

Word is that Stephen Whitburn may be thinking about challenging super popular Toni Atkins for the Democratic nomination for the 76th State Assembly. A Facebook page has popped up started by some political activists – including members of the San Diego Democratic Club – urging Whitburn to run against Atkins. As we all remember, Whitburn lost the race for the District 3 City Council seat just last year, after spending nearly $300,000 of his money in the race and losing by 10 percent of the vote. The vast majority of state and local Democratic leaders have already endorsed Atkins, who is considered a clear front-runner for the State Assembly. An interesting last sidebar to Whitburn’s council race last year: While in Denver, I ran into civil rights icon Delores Huerta and asked her about her supposed endorsement of Whitburn last year. Huerta did not even know who Whitburn was and when I told her his opponent was a person of color whose family have been longtime labor union members, she said, and I quote, “I should stop making endorsements.”

By the way, a $1,000 per plate dinner is being planned for Toni Atkins for Assembly. For more information, call 619-990-1013 or 619-692-1967.

Last week’s Gay & Lesbian Times editorial calling for Portland Mayor Sam Adams to resign was very disappointing, but, then, this paper called for President Bill Clinton to resign too. Mayor Adams has not broken any law and, yes, I am disappointed he lied, but if all the elected officials who lied had to resign, we would have no local, state or national elected officials. The GLT questions Adams’ character, but has never met with him, nor does the editorial touch on his outstanding record of community and public service. I have known Sam Adams since he was a city commissioner and he has spent his life trying to make the world a better place for all people. If I was in Portland I would be going to the large rallies in his support. Both the Portland Business Alliance and the Portland Area Business Association have taken positions that Adams should stay in office unless he is charged with a crime. I agree.

The day I arrived in Denver it was named the No. 1 most desirable place to live in America, with San Diego coming in at No. 2. Oh sure Denver is No. 1, with the weather outside being 38 degrees!

More than 2,000 GLBT activists and leaders gathered for the 21st annual National Conference on LGBT Equality, “Creating Change.” It was almost a full week of meetings, workshops, receptions, etc. And, there were some really dynamic and inspiring speakers. Mayor John Hickenlooper is a Denver restaurant and nightclub owner, really down to earth and an all-around nice guy. I found Congressman Jared Polis to be a very progressive liberal public official who was elected as an openly gay man from a district that does not have a single gay bar!

It was good to see GLBT leaders of faith and spiritual leaders speak out and demand the respect they deserve, and call for more outreach to faith communities. It was also nice to see HIV/AIDS activists demand they always be at the GLBT table, and for HIV/AIDS to be a priority in our movement. The Anita May Rosenstein Foundation and the Gill Foundation invitation-only receptions were fabulous, and it was good to catch up with former San Diegan Fred Sainz, who is doing great and important work at the prestigious Gill Foundation as its vice president.

The beautiful Copley Symphony Towers were the site of the annual “Soul Plates” event, benefiting the largest HIV/AIDS agency in San Diego County, Being Alive!

It was good to see a great crowd, and of course longtime Being Alive! supporter Councilwoman Donna Frye was once again the guest emcee and auctioneer. Councilman Todd Gloria also stopped by to give his support. I urge your continued support of this important HIV/AIDS agency that has been there for so many in need for more than two decades. Thank you Being Alive!

If you look up the word gentleman in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Warren Simon. Only Warren could draw a crowd of almost 200 people at the Park Manor Hotel, which included almost every prominent business owner in Hillcrest. We were all celebrating Warren’s outstanding 20 years of service to our city and neighborhoods as the executive director of the Hillcrest Business Association. It was a great party with fabulous food and atmosphere, and an overflow of love and respect for Warren. Hillcrest’s improvements and continuing changes and great look have so much to do with Warren Simon. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement and God bless you Warren!

A people of color summit has been planned for Saturday, May 9 at The San Diego LGBT Community Center. This will be an all-day gathering of GLBT activists and leaders from the black, Latino, Asian-Pacific Islander and Native American communities. Issues of the day will be discusses as will the state of people of color in the GLBT community. The May 9 event is officially called “A Multi-Cultural Explosion: A San Diego GLBT POC Summit.” For more information, contact Carolina Ramos at 619-459-8257.

You are all invited to The Caliph (3100 5th Ave.) for a birthday brunch in honor of the one and only “Big” Mike Phillips this Sunday from noon to 2:30 p.m. “Big” Mike is the president of the board of directors for the Imperial Court de San Diego and is asking all of you to bring grocery store gift certificates to Vons, Ralph’s, Albertsons, etc. in lieu of gifts. All of the grocery store gift certificates will go to Family Matters to help feed GLBT families in need during these tough economic times. Any amount will help – $10, $20, $25, $50, $100 … Your hosts for “Big” Mike’s birthday party benefit are: Toni Atkins, Carl DeMaio, Todd Gloria, Sherman Mendoza, Bob Nelson and little ol’ me. See you at The Caliph this Sunday!

Take your sweetheart to Med Grill San Diego for Valentine’s Day. The restaurant will have a special Valentine’s Day special: Roasted tomato soup or Caesar Salad, sirloin steak and grilled shrimp pasta and vegetables, and chocolate mousse cake, all for $29 per person. The special is available from 5-11 p.m. Med Grill is located at 1263 University Ave. For more information, call 619-683-2233.