A friend of mine will be shipped out to Iraq within a month and he will be on the frontlines, just another reminder that we still have thousands of American soldiers overseas. Many from our community are serving in silence … all in harm’s way.

The Gay & Lesbian Times is getting ready to go through some exciting changes and in a new direction. The man to lead us will be Todd Klein, our new associate publisher, who many of you know is a down-to-earth guy with a heart of gold and a super-friendly personality. His partner is handsome Chris St. Pierre. Todd has been involved with the Live and Let Live Alano Club, Stepping Stone, The San Diego LGBT Community Center and FilmOut, and plans to be more visible in the community. Trust me, you’ll be seeing a lot of him.

Yes, I agree, the statewide and local No on 8 campaigns were not run well. Outreach and education to the people of color communities left a lot to be desired. Yes, I agree with those who are saying the city block grant issue should have been made public and should have come from The Center – not a month later in a newspaper editorial. But I believe that everyone involved with the No on 8 campaign and The Center did what they felt was right, so let’s learn from all of this and stop blaming people.

It is obvious there is a new generation and new blood in our activist community. We need to welcome and encourage this new leadership and these activist organizations. They have a right to be asking questions and be a part of our community’s civil rights and political movements. They have a right to be equal partners at the GLBT decision-making tables. Our community in many ways has woken up and new activists have come forth. We do not have time for cliques and the same power structure. I welcome their input, activism and leadership.

This is Black History Month for our country. We as a GLBT community owe a lot to the black Civil Rights movement, as we’ve learned a lot from this movement. Yesterday, Bridges for Pride, an outstanding GLBT organization, held a dialogue event with black GLBT families at the Malcolm X Library in District 4.

As the chair of the city’s Human Relations Commission I am invited to numerous events throughout San Diego – from civil rights, to religious, Latino, Asian, Native American, black and more. Almost all of these events not only display our flag, but always make sure the U.S. National anthem is played, but I’ve noticed most GLBT events and dinners do not! Why is this?

The Caliph was packed this past Sunday afternoon for a birthday party in honor of one of the community’s most popular personalities – Big Mike! There was great food and great company. Instead of gifts, Big Mike asked for food vouchers to help Family Matters put food on the table for many GLBT parents and their children, whose families are facing difficult times with some losing their jobs and even homes. More than $1,400 in food vouchers came in. I want to give a big “thank you” to everyone who contributed and to my co-hosts Toni Atkins, Todd Gloria, Carl DeMaio, Bob Nelson and The Caliph’s Sherman Mendoza.

Speed dating has become the rage of nightclubs across the country. These fun and exciting events bring about many friendships. Who knows what else can and does happen? I’ve known of couples who met this way. This Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, at Baja Betty’s everyone – GLBT, curious and straight – is invited to join in Super Speed Gay-ting for a fun time!

Drag superstar and diva RuPaul’s new show on Logo is like watching a drag race wreck! It’s boring and really stupid. All of the drag queen contestants look like a bad version of Dolly Parton with too much makeup and way too-big hair. This show makes no sense and is super boring. As for RuPaul, she is looking very tired and needs to be filmed with more filters. I predict this show will not even last a season. It truly is a drag!

In these difficult economic times charitable organizations are feeling it the worst. Fewer people are donating money and goods at a time when the need is the greatest. With the recent peanut butter/salmonella scare, food banks are having to throw away much-needed products. The restaurant Bite asks that you donate a non-perishable food item and Bite will match each item donated. These items will be donated to Mama’s Kitchen and The San Diego Food Bank.

When you drop off your donation, you can also fill out a raffle ticket and be entered to win a $100 dollar gift certificate from Bite, as well as gift certificates from House.Boi and Rinse Salon in North Park!

Bite is located at 1417 University Ave. For more information, call 619-299-2483.