Well I’m off to Chicago to be a keynote speaker at the Black/Brown IV Regional Summit. My next commitments are local and include Los Angeles, Sacramento and Las Vegas. I enjoyed my three week stay in town.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Downtown Central Jail was infamous for the mistreatment of blacks, Latinos and gays. It was a true reign of terror under then Sheriff Dufty. About ten years ago, the new Central Jail was opened, and the new facility ushered in a new attitude of fairness and professionalism by the Sheriff Department because of then Sheriff Kolender and now Sheriff Bill Gore. This week community activist Jim Ginelli and I were given a complete tour of the Central Jail by the hard working and respected Commander Rich Miller. We went in the gay/trans tank and then visited the medical tank. We, of course, asked questions concerning gay and transgender inmates, those with HIV/AIDS and how they are housed and treated. The Downtown jail holds close to a 1,000 men that are 18-years-old and up (90 percent are involved with drugs). The difference between the old and newer jail is like night and day. The new jail is cleaner, modern and has a good solid staff of deputies. It was a most educational and informative visit, and while I was impressed with the progress and changes made since the 1960s and 1970s, I was not impressed that Rich Miller is the first African American to achieve the position of commander in the 160 year history of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. What’s wrong with this picture?

Looks like gay Republican Ralph Denney will be running against lesbian Democrat Toni Atkins for the State Assembly. Congressman Bob Filner has written the US Postal Department supporting a postage stamp being issued in honor of Harvey Milk. San Diego’s “Math Teacher of the Year” Kevin Beiser is an outstanding candidate for the San Diego Unified School Board. Councilmember Carl DeMaio’s ballot push for a “stronger mayor,” which would include a ninth City Council seat, is gaining wide support. Word is that the successful National Equality March could soon become a new national GLBT organization. I predict the return of a national Human Rights Campaign dinner in San Diego within a year or two. I will not be seeking a fifth term as the chairman of the city’s Human Relations Commission. The popular former mayor of Solana Beach, David Bohnett is gaining strong support for his bid for Congress. If elected, Bohnett would be the first openly same-sex married member of the US House of Representatives. Juan Vargas, who has a mixed record on GLBT equality, will be a strong challenger against popular Mary Salas’ bid for a State Senate seat. Word is that Ben Hueso has the votes to be reelected as City Council president. Gavin Newsom for Lt. Governor, hell yes!

The GLBT political crowd is buzzing about Equality California’s 2009 San Diego Equality Awards set for Saturday Nov. 14 at the Museum of Man in Balboa Park. Stuart Milk will be flying into town and so will our next governor, current Attorney General Jerry Brown. Both will be honored with Equality awards. This is looking like a movers and shakers event, and you’re all invited. I am proud to be a past state chair of Equality California, which is our voice in the state capital. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 415-581-0005, x. 312 or e-mail kaitlin@eqca.org.

I agree 100 percent with all those who are upset over an HBO’s segment of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” with “Seinfeld” creator and comedian Larry David. David urinated on a picture of Jesus Christ on the show, and, to me, that crosses the line and should be unacceptable. I could not believe that many talk show hosts actually defended Larry David. I believe he owes all Christians an apology, period.

Our popular Sheriff Bill Gore will be a guest speaker at 51 % - A Woman’s Place is in Politics on Nov. 10 at Universal Hillcrest at 7-9 p.m. Sheriff Gore is a 40 year veteran of law enforcement and has committed to establishing a GLBT advisory board to his office. 51 %, founded by Lisa Sanders (Yes, the mayor’s daughter) and local journalist star Tryce Czycynska. This is an open and free event for women and includes a social mixer at the end.

Some of the radical right-wing Christian groups have launched a boycott of Pepsi and its products because of the company’s support of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays and the HRC. So let’s drink all the Pepsi we can and tell your friends and family to join the Pepsi generation!

All of the bars and nightclubs were packed this past Halloween weekend and Hillcrest’s annual block party, Nightmare on Normal Street drew its biggest crowd ever with its beer garden running out of beer for the first time ever. Among the judges were Councilmember Todd Gloria and national “Don’t’ Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal advocate Joseph Rocha. All the proceeds from the event will benefit the many programs of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. A big thank you from me for all of your love and support as your, once again, outrageous master of ceremony. We are already making plans to make this popular street event even more fun and bigger. A big thank you to the Hillcrest Town Council volunteers who were up early Sunday morning cleaning up everywhere.

During the holidays, let us not forget that more than ever we should reach out to those who are lonely and in need. The 21st Annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner needs your support for a wonderful thanksgiving day dinner for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer or are homeless. The event is sponsored by the Imperial Court, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Rob Benson Foundation, Ben Dillingham Grant, Ricardo Vela, The Ruby Room, Redwing and many more. The GLBT community’s Toys For Kids drive has been around since 1975! Last year, it gave out more than 1,000 toys to numerous children’s agencies including more than 30 GLBT families. For more information on these two projects and how you can help, call 619-692-1967.