“Who shall stand guard to the guards themselves?” is a quote that has remained atop the masthead of the Gay & Lesbian Times for two decades. It is this publication’s philosophy – a philosophy I believe in.

It is a high privilege that comes paired with deep responsibilities to be asked to serve as editor of the Gay & Lesbian Times. Since transitioning to the editor’s desk a month ago, I have confirmed what I long assumed to be the case: I am simultaneously honored and humbled to be a part of Southern California’s only weekly publication devoted to bringing news and information to the GLBT community.

I look to those who have gone before me, grateful for a strong foundation and lessons learned.

Prior to moving to San Diego to continue my journalism career and work for the GLT, I spent nearly a decade serving the GLBT community: first, in the health and human services field, specifically in HIV education and then as editor-in-chief of dot Newsmagazine. Throughout that time I looked to the GLT for news, information and resources.

When I moved to San Diego in 2006, it was my goal to sit at this desk and write this editorial weekly. It was a challenge I longed to face. It is an opportunity I take great pride in, having worked my way up from reporter and associate editor.

But with opportunity comes great responsibility.

To meet these challenges at the same time I strive for my personal best, I believe it is critical that I surround myself with the best.

And that is why on the pages of this issue, not only will you find the Best of Gay San Diego, featuring businesses in our community that readers have selected as the best to patronize, but you will also find what I believe are the highest quality writers, features, news and information in the San Diego GLBT community.

This is accomplished by a strong team I am proud to work with – in and out of the office – one I consider top of the line.

It also includes you, the best readers.

One of my goals as editor is to encourage a dialogue with our readers. It is through this dialogue that I believe this publication – your publication – can achieve its goal of providing you with relevant, meaningful information and analysis of those issues affecting our community.

I am as much a reader of our publication and member of our community as I am an editor. While I know the paper will not please all readers all of the time, I will work to make sure all sides are given a voice and that all voices are heard. In this way, we can continue the tradition of celebrating the diversity of our community.

As a community, we are faced with some of the most challenging – and hopeful – times in the history of GLBT civil rights. The California Supreme Court will soon be issuing its decision on Proposition 8. Congress is considering revisiting the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Services to the GLBT community are being slashed through budget cuts.

No question about it, we are in some of the toughest economic times our nation has ever faced. And, while all politics are local, so are all economies. That is why I challenge you, the reader, to use this publication as a resource to find the best of our community.

This publication is not just a paper that appears weekly on the streets every Thursday. It is also an online resource at www.gaylesbiantimes.com. There you will find updates to breaking news stories, poll questions and community resources and links.

In the near future, we will ramp up our presence online as a way of making sure you have information on current events, issues that affect our community, thoughtful analysis and resources.

The Internet is a powerful tool for change. While we know change does not happen overnight, we know that change is necessary.

In the coming months, I challenge you to look for the changes as we bring you up-to-date information about the complex legal implications of local, state and national decisions, while meeting the diverse needs of our readers.

As we continue to grow with the times, know that there is one thing I can promise you will never change: the GLT will not compromise its integrity. We will continue to bring you a weekly publication on the streets of our community – for our community, about our community, and by our community. And, of course, we will continue to stand guard to the guards.

I welcome your support and look forward to continuing to build on the best the GLT has offered for the last 21 years, as we look toward the next 21 years. I look forward to this as a journey of personal best – mine, yours, ours.

Randy Hope

Editor