No, I am not moving to Arizona because of my health. I swear this Internet gossip can take on a life of its own. Yes, I missed my column and events because of my health, but I am doing better. Thank you for the calls and e-mails of concern. As I’ve said before, this year will be my “big O” celebration and it’s not that fun getting old.

This week hundreds of thousands of people will be gathering in New York to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the riots that started our fight for equality at the Stonewall Inn. Though the civil rights struggle of our community has been going on for many decades, the almost four-day riots in New York are recognized as the beginning of the modern GLBT civil rights movement. That week in June gave birth to Pride parades, rallies and festivals around the world. Just recently, three million people in Brazil turned out for a salute to the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Yes, three million people. Let us never forget that many of the leaders of the Stonewall riots were drag queens, sissies, bull dykes, and transsexuals, and most were African American or Latino. Forty years later we are still fighting for our full civil rights, but we do so knowing that time and justice are on our side. America is changing and we will prevail.

I’ve always liked reading Rob DeKoven’s weekly column in the Gay & Lesbian Times. It’s one of my favorites! But his slamming of GLBT publications was uncalled for and way off base. DeKoven called our fellow media publications “junk media,” “two-bit media that provides mere cheap thrills,” and said that they “aren’t doing our community any favors.” The GLT is our community’s “paper of record” and the only weekly newsmagazine. It has been quoted by the mainstream media as a serious source of information and GLBT news for the last two decades. The GLT has indeed been very influential in helping to elect public officials and in donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to civil rights causes and charities. We are the longest-running GLBT publication in the history of our community. But I also love reading other publications and yes looking at their pictures. I always pick up The Bottom Line, Rage Monthly, Frontiers in L.A., Lavender Lens, Pix, Zenger’s Newsmagazine etc. I read their articles, reviews and columns, and, obviously, so do a lot of other people. I have been writing a column since the early 1970s, and I’ve seen GLBT magazines come and go. But it’s up to the readers and community how long they stay, and there is room for all our publications.

Last week, former City Council candidate Stephen Whitburn and I went out for a two- hour lunch. Though most of it was off the record, I believe he has a bright future ahead of him and wish him the best. What’s the fuss over City Councilmember Carl DeMaio not giving us an interview? Any public official has the right to grant or not grant a publication an interview (Obama does not go on FOX). This is America isn’t it? Also, doesn’t every public official have the right to a private and personal life? Radio personality Monique Marvez should apologize for her XXX-rated performance at the Nicky Awards (she made Kathy Griffin’s act look holy). Monique’s performance is the only negative feedback I’ve received. I agree that she did cross the line. It was a community awards event, not the adult video awards. Almost $5,000 was raised at the recent Bourbon Street Carnival benefit for San Diego Pride. Councilmember Todd Gloria raised the most money to be dunked in the carnival’s dunking tank. I was second (people wanted to drown me). Former City Councilmember Toni Atkins has raised more than $100,000 for her State Assembly race. Los Angeles State Assemblymember Anthony Portantino was in town, and we had a nice discussion on the upcoming governor’s race. By the way, the talk in the Sacramento is that Portantino is still a strong front-runner to be the next “Mr. Speaker.” I spotted local writer Rob Appel and the San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Director of Development Jeff Wergeles having lunch, hmm. San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Undersheriff Bill Gore is leading in all the polls to be our next sheriff. I had a great lunch with Dist. 8 City Council candidate David Alvarez. His endorsements are mounting. There will be a march on Washington on Oct. 11, and yes I have endorsed Cleve Jones’ call for a fifth march on our nation’s capital for GLBT equality. Our civil rights movement began in the streets, and at times I must return to the streets ’til we achieve full equality.

• The Harvey Milk Leadership Award: San Diego Equality Campaign Executive Chair Sara Beth Brooks; Nick Moede, owner of Rich’s nightclub; Building Bridges for Pride member Dan Horan

• The Mayor George Moscone Memorial Award: San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender; San Diego Fire Chief Tracey Jarman

• Outstanding Man of the Year: Evans Hotels’ Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel Robert Gleason

• Outstanding Woman of the Year: Greater San Diego Business Association Charitable Foundation board member Lisa Sanders

• Outstanding Community Organization: Marriage Equality USA

• Outstanding Writer/Columnist: Ben Cartwright

• Outstanding Community Event: Dining Out for Life; San Diego Pride

• Outstanding Entertainer/Group: Ria Carey

• Outstanding Chef: Chris Walsh – Bite

• Outstanding Youth (18-24): Allan Acevedo

• Outstanding Transgender Personality: Mayra – Baja Betty’s

• Outstanding Salon/Spa: Disconnected

• Outstanding Art Gallery: Madison Gallery

• Outstanding Community Artist: Joe Phillips

• Outstanding Political Activist: Jess Durfee

• Outstanding HIV/AIDS Service Provider: Mama’s Kitchen

• Outstanding Business: House Boi San Diego

• Outstanding Levi/Leather Event: Mr. San Diego Eagle Contest

• Outstanding Impersonator: Chad Michaels

• Outstanding DJ/VJ: DJ Michael Paul

• Outstanding Bar Event: Friday Happy Hour – Top of the Park

• Outstanding Bartender, Male: Andrew Arugilla – Rich’s; Danni Pomplun – Universal

• Outstanding Adult Business: F Street

• Outstanding Owner: Alex Marin – Bamboo Lounge

• Outstanding Neighborhood Bar: The Caliph

• Outstanding University Heights/North Park Bar: Bourbon Street; Redwing

• Outstanding University Heights/North Park Restaurant: Lei Lounge

• Outstanding Levi/Leather Personality: Annie Romano

• Outstanding Coffee Shop: Baby Cakes

• Outstanding Publication: the Rage Monthly

• Outstanding Night Club/Dance Bar: Rich’s

• Outstanding Female Personality: Amber Cyphers Stephens

• Outstanding Hillcrest Restaurant: Martinis Above Fourth

• Outstanding New Business: FlawLes magazine

• Outstanding Businessman: Ken Pecus – Ascent Real Estate

• Outstanding Businesswoman: Bixi – Lavender Lens

• Outstanding Women’s Night: Touch – Rich’s

• Outstanding Pet/Grooming Business: South Bark Dog Wash

• Outstanding Community Organization: Marriage Equality USA

• Outstanding Hillcrest Bar: Flicks

• Outstanding Male Personality: Ken St. Pierre

• Outstanding Bar Employee: Neil – Flicks

• Outstanding Overall Restaurant: Baja Betty’s

• Outstanding Gym: Barry’s Boot Camp

• Outstanding Community Volunteer: Aaron Heier – The Center

• Outstanding Bartender, Female: Gardenia Partridge – Hawthorn’s

• Outstanding Bar Manager: Jason Golumbfski – Martinis Above Fourth

• Outstanding Male Waitperson: Ian Johnson – Martinis Above Fourth

• Outstanding Female Waitperson: Amanda Alderman – Lei Lounge

• Outstanding Web site: Interactivemale.com

• Outstanding Friend of the Community: Alma Rosa Vasic – F Street; Courtney Ray – Baja Betty’s

• Outstanding Overall Bar: Urban Mo’s/Kickers

• Outstanding Man of the Year: Robert Gleason

• Outstanding Woman of the Year: Lisa Sanders