The lesson to all of us in the community when it comes to San Diego Pride is we all must always ask questions, go to meetings and get involved.

No one needs to tell you that all eyes of your community are on you and that you have a great responsibility on your shoulders. I have confidence in you all, that you will make all the proposals from the past pride board members a reality and that San Diego Pride will be more open and be returned to the community. That no more bonus will be given out and that the Pride staff will be down sized (please give consideration of re-hiring Ken St. Pierre and Jeff Redondo) Please make sure that a Pride Icons Jeri Dilno and Doug Moore are never again disrespected and forced out. Please bring transgender, people of color, youth, veterans, volunteers, business/bar owners, straight allies on to the board (you have 20 board seats possible) lets return Pride to the basics of a one weekend event and lower festival ticket prices, return free admission to active military personnel and booked some for once great entertainment headliners! We also don’t need the return of a paid public relations man to do his “spin media controlling” as was recently witnessed. Please put a freeze on Pride spending and expenses. Thank you for listening,

Our entire community owes a debt of gratitude to State Senator Chris Kehoe, former deputy Mayor Toni Atkins and councilmember Todd Gloria for holding a face to face meeting with the three controversial pride boardmembers and getting them to resign. The three officials met for about an hour at Senator Kehoe’s office. Though Councilmember Carl Demaio was not at the meeting (he was respectful of Kehoe, Atkins, and Gloria’s decades of History with San Diego Pride) he behind the scenes was supportive of their efforts and took a stand in support of the community, volunteers and past pride board members. Thank you to the four of you.

I urge your support of a proposed ballot measure to extend the San Diego City Council to a 9th district seat. The rumors of Congressman Bob Filner giving consideration of a run for mayor are getting serious. And yes State Senator Chris Kehoe and probably then State Assemblywoman Toni Atkins (winning in Nov., 2010) could be trading seats in 2012. Stephen Whitburn’s political and popularity stock is rising as he is seen all over town supporting countless diverse events. Here’s two early predictions, popular City Commissioner and father of two Robert Gleason could be the next Councilmember from District 3 and respected social justice community activist Laurie Coskey could run for District 2. Remember you read in here first. The new speaker of the Assembly John Perez flew into San Diego, for a luncheon in support of Lori Saldana for county supervisor who was recently endorsed by the local Democratic Party but close allies of Donna Frye are saying she will enter the race. Bevan Dufty is doing well in early polls to become the first openly gay mayor of San Francisco he recently told me that he is even indeed showing up at an opening of an envelope!

Word is that Councilmember Carl Demaio’s chief of staff is leaving to take a position in the mayor’s office. The best to you Jamie!

Almost every state is going through what California is. I believe that any Governor in office during these difficult times would have to be a “miracle worker” or an “anointed saint” to change things around and our state legislators must also take their share of responsibility for the grid lock at times in our state capitol.

As a past state chair of Equality California yes I supported then Governor Gray Davis against the re-call and yes I endorsed and supported Governor Schwarzenegger in his last election. Though I do not agree with all of of his stands and positions especially some of his budget cuts I believe the governor and anyone in his position is almost always in a no win position and always between a rock and a hard place during these difficult times. The next Governor will be in the same positions and trust me people will be just as mad or angry with her or him.

But what I don’t want our GLBT community to forget is that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed more GLBT civil rights bills than any Governor in the history of our state, period. I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking to the Governor at events about half a dozen times including at his home where I met his openly lesbian Democratic “Chief of Staff” Ms. Kennedy the Governor has always been friendly and outgoing to all citizens that he meets and is very down to earth. I believe that our community has a friend in our Governor and our beautiful 1st Lady Maria Shriver.

Visiting courts and members from Canada and Mexico join courts from throughout the USA in attendance at the 38th Annual Coronation of the Imperial Court de San Diego. During the weekend of events over $2,000 was raised at the Fiesta Cantina for the Tijuana AIDS Fund and $1,000 was awarded to USD student Joseph Rocha through the Court’s Harvey Milk/ Nicole Murray-Ramirez student grant, (founded in 1979 over $200,000 has been awarded to local GLBT students).

The coronation gala itself was held at the beautiful North Park Theatre and City Councilmember Todd Gloria and former deputy Mayor Toni Atkins congratulated Emperor Chris and Empress Salena on an outstanding year of charity work and fundraising.

The evening ended with the election and crowning of San Diego’s new monarchs, Emperor Brian Johnson and Empress Regina Styles. The International Court system is getting ready to celebrate its 45th anniversary this summer with a huge gala event with many special guests including Stuart Milk and Judy Shepard in attendance. On Wed., Feb. 17 at The Center (7:30 p.m.) the community is invited to an open forum entitled: “What is the Imperial Court de San Diego… and how do I join? Your chance to learn more about the Imperial Court and get involved with its many wonderful events as the new “Monarchs” are planning to put more “fun” into fundraising!

For more information, call 619-288-1183.

A Single Man takes a gay theme movie to the next level. This moving and wonderful film takes you through gay grief, loneliness, friendship and loss and death. Openly gay director and former fashion designer Tom Ford did a brilliant job. Ford himself was discovered by the late Andy Warhol when Ford was 17-years-old and fresh from Tennessee. Standouts in the movie are a drop dead hustler from Spain named Carlos and a young college student who is also gorgeous and sexy and who actually looks like a young 18-year-old Ken St. Pierre (same beautiful piercing eyes). One great line in the movie is attributed to a queen telling a butch lesbian that she is “hung like a donut.” Run to the Hillcrest Landmark Theatre and catch this great film.

Avatar I agree is fabulous (especially in 3-D) but does the future on this planet include you if your brown or fat or no need to apply? These aliens were all built like supermodels! Avatar is a must see movie for everyone and is most certainly the movie of the decade.

The gay academy awards of San Diego are coming. Yes, the date of the annual Nicky Awards will soon be announced hyonoring outstanding achievements in the GLBT community in the area of social services, business, enetertainment, activism, journalism, the bars/restaurants etc.

Tatoo Fest II is also coming. Its an all day een for those who have tattoos and their fans. This exciting event will also include a contest with first, second and third place awards being given in such tattoo categories as sexist, most exotic, cutest, most colorful, best tribal, most artistic. Tattoo Fest will be one great night of tats!