If you have read this column for any length of time, you have probably come to notice that I love summer. In the fall, I write about what a wonderful summer I had. Starting in January, I usually begin a “Pride countdown.” By early spring, I write about how close we are to summer. Now as we near Memorial Day weekend, I can say that summer is here, unofficially at least.

Now I know that summer officially begins June 22. But Americans typically “fudge” the calendar a bit, book-ending it between Memorial Day and Labor Day. I start summer even earlier when I hit my first major Pride event of the season: Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride, which always occurs the third weekend in May. For those joining me on the trek up to the city best known for being home to the Queen Mary – I could certainly insert a number of tacky gay jokes here, but I’ll refrain this week – I encourage you to have a great time, but play it safe. There will be lots of boys and booze up there, so be sure to use them in moderation. Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride will happen on May 16 and 17. For more information, visit www.longbeachpride.org.

For those staying in town this weekend, there is plenty going on. There will be a great weekend party at Universal Hillcrest, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary. The nightclub hosts “Twisted” on Friday nights. The event is hosted by Disco Dollie and Glitz Glam. Entry is free before 10 p.m. and a different theme is created each week. The “hottest drag queens in town” await you! DJ Schoeny will “Rock Ur Socks Off” on Saturday night as he spins some of the best beats in town. Check him out at www.myspace.com/orangespade to hear some of his tracks; “Electro Cup” is one my favorites. Universal Hillcrest is located at 1202 University Ave. in Hillcrest. For more information, visit www.universalhillcrest.com.

Other hot spots this weekend include Top of the Park’s Happy Hour, Rich’s Dirty Pop, and Numbers’ ¡Pan Dulce! all happening on Friday. Saturday will also be fun, with Flicks’ Wet Underwear Contest and Rich’s LL Bear a couple doors down. I hear that Bacchus House also puts on a fabulous Bear Night every first Saturday of the month, next one is June 6. For more information on Bear Night, visit www.bearnightsandiego.com. I have recently discovered that my best friend is totally into bears, so we have been making our rounds to these events, and I must say they are fun. If you want to find a real MAN, these are the events to find one!

Rich’s will host Active Duty: The Military Party on Saturday, May 23. Camo attire is encouraged and free “Active Duty” dog tags will be handed out. If you have a military ID, cover is free before 11 p.m., which means the place will be swarming with hot military boys! Numbers will be “turning down the lights and turning up the heat” for Strip Party. If you arrive before midnight and strip down to your undies, your first drink is free! DJs Will and Bizzy J will rock the house and it’s guaranteed to be a hot night and a great way to kick off summer.

Since, for most of us, there will be no work on Monday, May 25, Club Spin (formerly Montage) will host another Scandal party. It is going to be a huge party in the amazing space that Spin sits in. Cover is free with a military ID. Spin is one of the few clubs in town that have after hours; Scandal will go on until 4 a.m. Urban Mo’s, of course, is always the place to be on a holiday. Stop by the restaurant-bar on Memorial Day for food, drinks and fun. For more information about these events, visit www.richssandiego.com, www.my space.com/numberssd, and www. urbanmos.com.

The fun is only beginning – the summer is sure to include dozens of pool parties, BBQs, nights out, and of course, San Diego Pride and all the partying and pageantry that surrounds it. Keep your eyes posted here for all the details!

And on a different note, keep in mind that the California Supreme Court will release a decision very soon on the fate of Proposition 8. In fact, the decision must be handed down by June 4, so it could truly be any day now. To learn about the events that are being planned locally, visit www.dayofdecision.com. Organizers need a lot of help getting the word out, and you can help spread it, especially to your friends out at the bars. Thank you in advance for your support and here’s to equality!