Election year is in full swing, and the June primary will soon be here. Be on the lookout for LGBT Vote 2010 official endorsements.

If any public official has earned the support and loyalty of the GLBT community statewide, it’s definitely Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco. His leadership and dedication to the issue of marriage equality cannot be touched by any other elected official. While a vast majority of GLBT organizations and leaders have rightfully endorsed Newsom for lieutenant governor, the local gay San Diego Democratic Club (SDDC) shocked many with its endorsement of Gavin’s primary opponent. Even state Sen. Dean Florez dropped out of the race and endorsed Newsom as did U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein. SDDC is all wrong in its endorsement

About 30 GLBT leaders and businesspeople gathered at the home of Mayor Jerry Sanders and his stylish wife Rana Sampson for a fundraising reception to support the “strong mayor-strong council government” ballot initiative “Yes on D.” The official sponsors of the event were City Commissioners Bob Nelson, Robert Gleason and Kevin Tilden, Michael Magee and little ol’ me. It was a really fun event with fabulous catering by the Bahia Hotel. Bob Nelson was right when he said that for us GLBT San Diegans, it felt like we were with family being at the Sanders home. The mayor’s gorgeous daughter Lisa and her wife Megan were also in attendance, and we all had a great time. During the mayor’s remarks, he predicted that Councilmember Todd Gloria would become “a future mayor, governor, even president.” I presented the mayor with a special figure for his office, a very rare and collectable Mayor McCheese of McDonaldland mounted with the inscription, “Mayor Sanders, when the going gets rough, stop and smell the roses and eat a hamburger.” We all had a great laugh but the mayor said he would get me back, hmmm.

San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has endorsed Ron Roberts for supervisor. The popular former Superior Court judge has been rated in numerous polls as one of the most respected and popular public officials in the county. Dumanis made history as the first open lesbian elected as a district attorney in the United States and also the first woman elected in San Diego. She is unopposed for reelection. Ron Roberts is leading in all the polls and some feel he could win re-election in the upcoming primary.

Coming up next month will be a congressional lobby day in Washington, D.C. to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” GLBT veterans will be coming from all over the United States to our nation’s capital. Let’s make sure San Diego is well represented. So please support a local fundraiser on April 30 at Rich’s (8-10 p.m.). Sponsors of this event are the Human Rights Campaign, American Veterans for Equal Rights, Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund and the Imperial Court. For more information, call 619-579-4136.

The seventh annual Transgender Day of Empowerment drew hundreds of people to the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Special guest state Sen. Christine Kehoe spoke and gave her continued support to the trans community and presented some awards. Among the trans honorees were Isaac Gomez and Xena the Warrior. A special thank you goes to organizers Connor Maddox, Tracie O’Brien, Paola Gonzalez and Cory Craver. I had the honor to present an award to the Gomez family who gives hope and are role models of what true “family values” are all about.

One of the GLBT community’s most anticipated annual events, yes, FilmOut 2010 is finally here. This year’s gay San Diego film festival is going to be bigger and more exciting than ever, and you’re all invited! More than 50 films will be featured from April 16-22 at the beautiful Birch North Park Theatre. Tickets are very reasonable and are on sale now at Obelisk bookstore or www.filmoutsandiego.com.

That’s right the Gay & Lesbian Times has moved and our new office is beautiful! We invite the entire community to come check out our new digs in Mission Valley. MapQuest it and stop on by to say hello. We’re located at 3443 Camino Del Rio South, Ste. 300, San Diego, CA 92108.

For more exciting, breaking news, gossip, politics and all the gay news that’s fit to print including Editor at Large Nicole Murray-Ramirez’s People Opinions & Politics, Associate Editor Aaron Heier’s Two Cents, Stephen Whitburn’s Politics Tracker, Stampp Corbin’s The Oracle and much more daily news and happenings, visit www.GLTNewsNow.com. Mark us in your favorites and stay informed daily!