Be on the look out for the Gay & Lesbian Times Pride Guide coming out next week, including my annual “Visitors Guide to San Diego,” with all you need to know while visiting America’s finest city.

This past week’s death of a 21-year-old gay man is a reminder that the growing drug problem in our society affects all ages and lifestyles. I had a talk with a few friends of the troubled gay man. They said all who knew him knew of his drug problem. Heroin and methamphetamine were his drugs of choice. Most of the time, he would not admit he had a drug problem, and when he did, he would stop by a Stepping Stone meeting – you first have to want to help yourself – but he seemed to never take recovery seriously. I met him once, and he seemed quiet. He was from North Carolina and had lived here for a year. I come from the ’60s and ’70s and never hid my drug problem. That’s why I’ve always called for strong support of Stepping Stone and the Alano Club. These two organizations save and change lives every day. Sadly, the young man who died this past week could not be saved. But his death is a reminder that, in some ways, we, as a GLBT community, seem to sweep our growing drug problem under the carpet.

Fathers Day brings back sad and difficult memories for many. My dad passed some years ago, and we never really had closure concerning my being gay and his abusive treatment toward my mother and me. I remember him beating my mother and, sadly, how cold he was. The death of Michael Jackson and the coverage of his relationship with his abusive father, Joe Jackson, brought back memories, I am sure, to many people who have had abusive parents. My father was not all bad. He was a Latino community leader and gave me a passion for social justice, politics and community activism. But, yes, I had an abusive father who never really accepted my homosexuality. What I am saying is, to those who have gone through the same childhood, you definitely are not alone, and it’s good to get counseling and talk about it. I know I have.

The 1970s and, yes, some of the 1980s were racist, homophobic and sexist times in San Diego’s law enforcement. Just ask San Diegans who are gay or of color who lived during that time. People of color and homosexuals were harassed and beaten by police, who were primarily white men. You could almost count the number of female cops and cops of color on one hand. Yes, times have changed, but you cannot change history or the facts. That’s why a recent campaign letter supporting Jim Duffy for sheriff, stating that he is the 47-year-old son of the late Sheriff John Duffy, who left San Diego “a proud legacy” is a lie. The sheriff department’s abuse of blacks, Latinos and gays is legendary, and Sheriff Duffy never cared. The late sheriff refused to meet with homosexual leaders including Jess Jessop, Gary Reese and Tom Homman concerning brutality against gays. If you were lesbian, Latino, gay or black in the 1970s and early ’80s, a police or sheriff car would truly scare you. With all due respect, I’ve met Jim Duffy, and although he is a decent and good man, although I understand his unconditional love for his father, I sincerely hope that he will speak out against homophobia and racism during his campaign. But Jim, you can’t change history.

This past weekend, America’s number one gay TV network Logo launched its media ads calling upon GLBT Americans to come to Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11 for the upcoming National Equality March. Yes, the building of our fifth national GLBT march on Washington is taking on more steam every day. I had another talk with major organizer Cleve Jones, and not only does he have the permits, but he also has an endorsement list that is growing daily. Jones, by the way, will be the grand marshal of San Diego Pride’s Parade on July 18.

The beautiful Hard Rock Hotel recently hosted the Greater San Diego Business Association’s (GSDBA) 30th anniversary gala dinner. Hundreds of movers and shakers attended the event, including Mayor Jerry Sanders, Sen. Christine Kehoe, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and councilmembers Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio. Olympic gold medalist, gay activist and author Greg Louganis gave the most inspiring keynote address. Louganis and GSDBA Executive Director Joyce Marieb both deserved their standing ovations. I sincerely thank the GSDBA for including its history in its current directory and gala program. It is a reminder that many of our friends and leaders are no longer with us. Happy 30th GSDBA.

San Diego Pride will host The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s monthly Community Coalition Breakfast on Friday, July 17, at 8 a.m. The breakfast will include a panel of longtime gay activists. This will be your chance to learn about GLBT history in San Diego during the 1970s and ’80s. This breakfast will be the kick off of our 35th anniversary Pride celebration in San Diego.

Like many of you, I just love Thai food. Now a great new Thai restaurant has opened in Hillcrest, Bangkok Thai Bistro. It’s a gourmet adventure for your taste buds and has the very best prices in town. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. You have to check out its Summer Salad, Mango Chicken, Spicy Seafood Combination and Crispy Shrimp. The whole menu is fabulous. Beautiful owner Chia Svancvitaya has also owned Sala Thai restaurant, near San Diego State University for the last 19 years. Sala Thai restaurant features outstanding Thai family recipes. The opening of Bangkok Thai Bistro is a great addition to Hillcrest and deserves five gold stars for excellent Thai cuisine.