It’s been so great to be in San Diego for these past few weeks. This weekend there are a lot of events starting Friday night at Rich’s. Check out this column for all the information.

Our country’s oldest GLBT civil rights organization, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) has called Arizona’s new immigration law “draconian and inhumane.” I and other GLBT leaders have called upon our GLBT community members and GLBT organizations to join the growing Boycott Arizona! campaign. Monday night City Commissioner Bruce Abrams and I went to the first local protest rally at the downtown federal building. San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality members were also in attendance. Tuesday afternoon, Abrams, Larry Baza, Andrea Villa, Carolina Ramos and other GLBT Latino activists joined almost two dozen civil rights, religious, education, labor and political organizations at a news conference at the University of San Diego to protest the Arizona law. Both events received major news coverage. (Yes, I know, I looked old and fat on the front cover of Wednesday’s Union-Tribune). Look to local San Diego Latino activists to make this issue more visible in our community. Commissioner Bruce Abrams was the only GLBT speaker at the press conference and did a great job. Boycott Arizona!

Now is your chance to support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as we party to send San Diego GLBT veterans to Washington D.C. to lobby for the repeal. This Friday night event at Rich’s from 8-10 p.m. is expected to attract a lot of GLBT veterans and active military. Sponsors of the event include American Veterans for Equal Rights, Human Rights Campaign, San Diego Democratic Club, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, the Imperial Court, Gay & Lesbian Times, FlawLes, GLTNewsNow.com, San Diego Pix, SDGLN.com and Svedka Vodka. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/hrcsandiego.

When Walt Disney built Disneyland, he created a private membership only exclusive restaurant that is still hidden in Disneyland. It’s called Club 33 and it is so exclusive that membership ended years ago. It’s a beautiful place that seats only about 75 people, and its patrons have and do include presidents, governors and movie stars. This past Sunday I was the guest of Travis and Allan Spyere-Spackman who I legally married last year as an appointed county commissioner. Travis’ brother has been a long time member of Club 33. It was a most unbelievable five-course dinner and one of the best meals I have ever had. Our waiter Luis was outstanding. It was an evening I’ll always remember.

There’s already excitement in the air as we get prepared for the 35th presentation of the gay academy awards of San Diego, the Nicky Awards! Now you can be a part of this year’s most glamorous and exciting night by following the Nicky Awards on Facebook. Also send them your past Nicky Awards pictures to be uploaded on their growing picture gallery. Find out how and when you can nominate and vote! The 2010 Nicky Awards will benefit The San Diego LGBT Community Center, GLBT student scholarships and the Imperial Court. Because of the economy, Nicky Awards ticket prices are lower this year: $50 for general admission and $75 for VIP. Get your tables now, as The Nicky Awards will be a sold out soon. For more information, call 619-300-1232.

You are all invited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this coming Saturday, May 1 at The Center from 6-10 p.m. It will be a fiesta of traditional Mexican food, entertainment and fun. The event will benefit the Tijuana AIDS Fund. This popular annual event is sponsored by Carlos Silva and his many friends. I know I’m going to stop by and join all my Latino family and friends. For more information, e-mail grinsil@yahoo.com. See you at The Center this Saturday night ole!

On Saturday, May 22, California will celebrate the first state holiday in the nation in honor of gay citizen Harvey Milk. There will be two official events: the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast (over 900 tickets now sold) on Friday, May 1 and the official San Diego Harvey Milk Birthday Bash at Rich’s on Saturday night, May 22. A 100 percent of the door charge at the Rich’s event will go to the Harvey Milk Foundation. Harvey would have been 80-years-old. At the Rich’s bash, there will be a balloon drop and birthday cake cutting by former deputy mayor Toni Atkins, councilmembers Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio at 11:30 p.m. This will be a birthday bash you will not want to miss with fun surprises, dancing and partying till 2 a.m.

This coming Sunday, May 2 will be the annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Gay San Diego Contest at Bacchus House at 7 p.m. The contest includes entertainment, great food and a lot of hot Latinos and Latinas! The event is hosted by handsome Brazilian Allan Spyere-Spackman and the beautiful Alejandra. Everyone is invited. All the proceeds from the event will benefit The Center’s Latino Services. Contestants are still needed for the contest. For more information or to sign up as a contestant, call 619-300-1232.

Run and go see Death at a Funeral and be ready to laugh your butt off. The movie is one of the funniest movies in the last decade. There is one outrageous scene that I guarantee will make you laugh until you cry. Death at a Funeral is a take on a British movie made long ago that was also a huge hit. The movie is about an African American family at a funeral in Los Angeles, and it has a gay twist to it. Trust me you will love this film.

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!