When Harvey Milk moved to California in 1972, homosexual acts were illegal and police raids and brutality were constant. Women and men were being committed to state hospitals because their homosexuality was considered deviant and an illness. This past Tuesday, Harvey’s friends, public officials and community leaders came together in San Francisco to stand with State Sen. Mark Leno as he introduced a bill (SB 572) to establish Harvey Milk Day in California on Milk’s birthday. I flew up for this historic event as a representative of the San Diego Human Relations Commission, which Sen. Leno stated “was the first municipal body in the state to endorse this legislation last year.” Yes, it was long before the MILK film.

The next mayor of San Francisco, Supervisor Bevan Dufty picked me up to take me to the press conference, and, trust me, the media was there in full force to cover the presence of Oscar winner Sean Penn. I thanked Penn for all his support for GLBT equality. By the way, Penn looks much more handsome in person and has a real butch handshake. Among those in attendance who spoke were Harvey Milk’s openly gay, tall and handsome nephew from Florida, Stuart Milk, who told me he is coming to San Diego for the Diversionary Theatre’s premiere of the play Letters to Harvey. (Look for a Gay & Lesbian Times exclusive with Stuart Milk in the next few months.) Cleve Jones, who was rightfully called “the fire and passion” behind the MILK film, reminded the media throng that the fight for GLBT full civil rights continues. After Cleve chastised me for not being able to reach me while I was ill, I asked him what he will always remember about the 2009 Oscars. Cleve said, “I danced with Madonna!” The media asked Penn if he would ever run for public office and he said, and I quote, “My closet is brimming over with skeletons my darling.” Penn was also asked if he would lobby Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign the bill and he said, “When Cleve Jones has your phone number, what do you think?” Senator Leno called Harvey Milk “a true American hero,” and Equality California’s Executive Director Geoff Kors also gave a strong and solid statement.

I was proud to be the only out-of-town city official in attendance and proud that San Diego’s and the GLBT community’s support of Senator Leno’s bill was recognized. It was great to see and talk to my Latino brother, popular City Treasurer Jose Cisneros, along with City Supervisors David Campos and John Avalos, Commissioner Wayne Friday, Donna Sachet (Equality California board member and the “No. 1 Lady of Castro,”) top political writer Matthew S. Bajko of the Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco Pride Deputy Director Brendan Behan and many others. A special thanks to Ali Bay press secretary, to Sen. Leno and International Court System Prime Minister Nathan Page. I had a great lunch with Gary McLain, owner of Marlena’s (one of San Francisco’s most popular bars) at the beautiful Stacks Restaurant on Hayes St., which I highly recommend. Later, that night Supervisor Bevan Dufty invited me to City Hall for a Transit Authority special reception. I, of course, stopped by the Milk statue on the second floor, and then I ran down the steps of City Hall to catch a ride to the airport.

In closing, I remember being involved in the efforts to make Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a holiday (as we know, Milk, like King, was assassinated) and the state effort and the ongoing campaign to make Caesar Chavez a federal holiday. There was and is opposition to these holidays as well as to the Milk holiday. Please write the governor and urge him to sign SB 572. And to you Sen. Leno, God bless you for never giving up.

Former City Council Candidate Stephen Whitburn has been a busy man: He met with former City Councilmember Toni Atkins and told her he has decided not to challenge her for a State Assembly seat. Last week, Whitburn also introduced and praised City Councilman Todd Gloria (who beat him this past Nov. by 10 percent of the vote) at the San Diego Democratic Club. But what has raised the most eyebrows was an almost hour-long meeting Whitburn had with City Councilman Carl DeMaio at Bourbon St.

First, Assemblymember Tom Ammiano, from one of the most liberal/left districts in San Francisco, introduced a bill that would make marijuana legal. But he also introduced a bill that there was no need for, as it duplicates the current State Supreme Court brief. Well, now, popular State Assemblymember Marty Block is getting some hits because he did not vote for or against this undecided legislation. Have some of you forgotten that Block is co-sponsor of the court brief for marriage equality? I talked to Block yesterday, and though he came from a swing district (he replaced a Republican), he told me he will continue to support full civil rights for all citizens, as he has done since his school board days.

A poll will soon be taken that will contain the names of District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, State Sen. Christine Kehoe, Sen. Denise Ducheny, Carl DeMaio and City Councilmember Scott Peters as possible mayoral candidates. I’ll let you know the early results. By the way, the very wealthy Scott Peters spent almost a half-million dollars million of his own money for his losing race for city attorney (he came in third behind former City Attorney Mike Aguirre).

This week was the second meeting of the organizers of the New Harvey Milk Democratic Club of San Diego. All the possible Democratic candidates for governor, Sen. Diane Feinstein, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, Attorney General Jerry Brown, and Mayor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Antonio Veragosa all support marriage equality. Only two Republican front-runners support domestic partnerships, including Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner. eBay CEO Meg Whitman supports civil unions and the right for same-sex couples to adopt. Whitman recently received the endorsement of Congressmember Darrell Issa and former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney. The first poll of Republicans at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., to decide who they want to run for president in 2012 are, in order: 1. Mitt Romney, 2. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, 3. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

Congratulations to my longtime pal Mayor Jeffrey Prang on his re-election as mayor of West Hollywood. (A few weeks ago, Prang and I honored the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in the 1960s in the U.S., 87-year-old Jose Sarria at the WEHO Awards.) And congratulations also to an even longer friend (he was a teenager!) my Latino brother West Hollywood Councilman John Duran!

Some GLBT activists are mad at Mayor Veragosa for having Rev. Rick Warren give the keynote address at his annual Prayer Breakfast. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in his speech talked about marrying same-sex couples and being pro-choice and against No on 8. Super popular and respected businessman Jim Abbott has resigned from the state board of Equality California, and he told me it’s because the board would not apologize or take responsibility for the failed No on 8 campaign.

Sad to say, national media attention is expected to refocus on Portland Mayor Sam Adams when his ex-boyfriend Beav Breedlove (yes his real name) will be posing nude for Unzipped magazine. My sources tell me that Breedlove has a small “personality.”

Democratic Party diva Laurie Black has to be the sexiest, smartest and most beautiful City Commissioner in the history of San Diego. She could get a part in the “Sex in the City” sequel. When I asked her what size dress she wears, this hot-smoking lady replied, “size four.” Well this queen will not be asking to borrow her gowns. Bonnie Dumanis gave me all her “before” weight-loss clothes, and even they didn’t fit, as I’m now in “Mu Mu” wear (we donated them to the Salvation Army).

Lisa Sanders and her new fiancée Megan were seen in our State Capitol lobbying for marriage equality. The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast has been set for May 22 and is already receiving wide support throughout San Diego. When I was in Houston giving City Controller Annise Parker an award, she later told me that she has to raise $3 million in her campaign for mayor (this lesbian is one great dresser).

We all agree that the death of erotic dancer Steven P. Hirschfield was unfortunate and sad, but I have talked to Harbor Police officials, been briefed by the District Attorney’s office and had confidential conversations with Hirschfield’s friends. I had stated shortly after the shooting that I got word from people on the boat that he was under the influence and out of control. Now, sadly, the medical examiner’s official report reveals he had five drugs in his system, including methamphetamine, “special K”, and steroids. Trust me, I know first hand about steroids, as my ex-lover, an Italian bodybuilder, took them at times and became violent. Hirschfield was six-feet tall and weighed more than 200 pounds, and the police officer is 5 feet 5 inches (shorter than I am), and Hirschfield’s DNA was on the gun. My sources tell me that Hirschfield had an ongoing drug problem. I have full confidence in the District Attorney, Harbor Police and the medical examiner. Just read the report. This shooting was absolutely justified.

When 48-year-old Michael Sapp got ill a few months ago, I witnessed the love and beautiful compassion of people outpouring their concern, emotions and support for Michael and his partner, George Biagi, of over 19 years. Upon learning of Michael’s passing, many of our hearts wept for him and George. While I agree these two were one of the most handsome couples in San Diego, there was much more to Michael than his good looks. He was a beautiful, caring soul who loved his busy public-servant partner George unconditionally and deeply. Michael Sapp recently received one of the Nicole M. Ramirez Student Scholarships at The Center’s Annual Gala, and Michael was rightfully proud that he was three years sober after going through a Stepping Stone program that Gorge told me “changed his life.” Because of this experience, Michael wanted to help others in the recovery community and thus was going back to earn his psychology degree and give back to his community. I will always remember what a kind gentleman he was, and how we always saw Michael and George so happy. Rest in peace sweet prince. Your gentleness touched more people than you know.