I didn’t make it to Denver, because there was a blizzard. I had to cancel a speech I was about to give, but I’m sure my replacement’s was better.

I would have loved it if Miss California Carrie Prejean had said she supported gay marriage at the Miss U.S.A. Pageant, last Sunday. Blog queen Perez Hilton, pageant judge, should have been prepared for a positive or negative response. Prejean, who attends a Christian college in San Diego, did not deserve to be treated like a dumb blonde bitch by Hilton. I am glad he apologized. Her claim that she lost the pageant, she was first runner-up, because of Hilton’s remarks, could be true. Now Prejean has become a media superstar and poster girl against same-sex marriage, which, I believe, is partially due to Hilton’s attack. If I could speak to Prejean, I would tell her: “You are supposed to represent all Californians, including its gay residents, and your continuing media blitz and interviews against same-sex marriage are hurtful to millions of GLBT people and their friends and families across the country.

I recently had another speaking engagement at a university and the subject of hate crimes came up. The fact is, GLBT school youth are coming out younger every year and are becoming more visible in junior high and high school. But they have no protection. GLBT school youth are subjected to bullying, hate crimes and, yes, murder. If I had my way, we would make their protection a number one priority. Could you imagine if we put all our energy and focus, toward protecting GLBT school youth as we did with same-sex marriage? If we did I believe our GLBT school youth would be much safer. I don’t like the saying, “GLBT youth are our future.” I say bullshit. GLBT youth are our here and now.

If you loved the movie, Milk, then you must see the play, Dear Harvey. The play is a roller-coaster ride of tears and laughter. Award-winning playwright, Patricia Loughrey has another major hit and the world premiere of this play in San Diego drew major movers and shakers to the Diversionary Theatre, including Harvey’s nephew from Florida, Stuart Milk, GLBT pioneer activist Robin Tyler, Sen. Christine Kehoe, Councilmembers Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio, City Commissioner Robert Gleason, Gene Burkard, founder of International Male, and Frank Nobiletti of the Lambda Archives of San Diego. Famed artist Julie Warren painted a special portrait of Harvey with limited editions available at the theater. I told, my friend, Cleve Jones that I cried twice. First, I cried when Jones’ character spoke about AIDS and then, again, when, the play’s music composer, Thomas Hodges read the final letter to Harvey. Dear Harvey will soon hit San Francisco, Hollywood and New York. So, catch it now at the Diversionary Theatre through April 25. Bravo to the fabulous cast and director Dan Kirsch. The play is performed without intermission and will hold your attention ’til its end. Actor Aaron Marcotte, who plays me, is too young, handsome and talented. But you can judge for yourself. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 619-220-0097.

There are millions of Carl DeMaio’s in America: gays and lesbians who do not wear their sexual orientation on their sleeves or are gay activists. Of all the GLBT elected officials I’ve known, DeMaio is one of a few who do not come from a gay lifestyle. District 5, which DeMaio represents, was one of only three that voted overwhelmingly against marriage equality. His recent public stand on marriage equality has resulted in some, sadly, negative e-mails. I must say, the overwhelming silence from our GLBT leaders is very disappointing. But, then again, most of our GLBT leaders have never reached out to DeMaio or accepted him as one of their own, because he is Republican. In fact, GLBT Republicans are usually made to feel unwelcome and treated like lepers. It’s one of our community’s not-so-hidden secrets.

Our GLBT community, friends and families are some of the most compassionate and giving people on the planet. From time to time, in my 50-plus years of activism, I have witnessed our community’s love and support for each other. This past Sunday, the True North Tavern, one of the most beautiful bars in Southern California, hosted a benefit to help popular bartender Charlie Gaffey, who is fighting cancer and cannot work. The event raised more than $5,000. Charlie’s family and friends were there with Councilmembers Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio. Although, I was the event’s host, all credit should go to organizer Big Mike, Tom Brown, Sherman Mendoza of the Caliph, the Imperial Court de San Diego, Eric Lingenfelder, True North Tavern’s outstanding staff, Bill Beck and David Huskey of Will Copy Print and the Ben F. Dillingham Grant. God bless, and thanks to everyone who gave.

The first annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast is set for May 22. The event is becoming like the annual Martin Luther King Jr. All People’s Breakfast and the Cesar Chavez Commemorative Breakfast, as a major civil-rights event. More than 700 tickets have already been sold, and, trust me, get your tickets and tables today. This event will be sold out soon. Mayor Jerry Sanders and his daughter Lisa Sanders will host and black civil-rights icon Dr. Margie Hill, from New York, will give the keynote address. Tickets are $35. For further information, call 619-692-2077, ext. 204.

Hey, if you want the continuation of the “White Party” vibe, the premiere of Score at Bacchus House this Saturday night is where you will want to be. Score is like a mini-circuit party and DJ, remixer and producer Alexander will spin the night away with Go-Go boys and drink specials. Alexander is one of the West Coast’s most popular DJs. So, it should be one happening night. Bacchus House is located at 3054 University Ave. in North Park. For more information, call 619-299-2032 or visit www.bacchushouse.com.