Well I’m off to West Hollywood for Los Angeles Pride and hundreds of thousands are expected for its 40th anniversary celebration. Next, I will be traveling to Nebraska; Toronto; Canada; Washington, D.C. and Mexico!

Hooray for Gavin Newsom who won the democratic primary for lieutenant governor! It looks like Assemblymember Mary Salas will be a state senator. She received a solid GLBT support in all three counties: San Diego, Riverside and Imperial. Supervisor Ron Roberts is now the clear front runner to win in November. David Alvarez and Howard Wayne who both received major GLBT support for the City Council will continue to be strongly supported come November. The four crazy anti-gay right-wing candidates for superior court seats all lost.

“Math teacher of the year” Kevin Beiser came in first for the school board, and this race should become a top priority for all of us. Congratulations to feminist icon Gloria Johnson on her win to the Democratic Party County Central Committee. She came in a very respectful second to Assemblymember Lori Saldaña. Jess Durfee was a most articulate and outstanding spokesman as chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party in all of his TV interviews. Newly elected San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore will be one of the best sheriffs in the history of this state! Let us all not take the re-elections of congress members Congressmembers Bob Filner and Susan Davis for granted, especially that Filner’s opponent is not only right-wing but anti-gay. Let’s not take any race for granted in November.

We have come a long way baby. The political power of the GLBT community in San Diego can be witnessed in the 76th Assembly District where the elected Republican nominee is Ralph Denney and the Democrat nominee is former deputy mayor Toni Atkins. Denney has lost two elections in the past and will probably lose his third this year in this heavily democratic district. Toni Atkins is one super popular, experienced and devoted public servant. I give sincere congratulations to both Ralph and Toni. You did your community proud.

I have always have loved Lexington, Kentucky. I was there for about six days to preside over the 45th anniversary of the International Court System of the USA, Canada and Mexico with all three nations seating representatives (there are over 68 chapters in these three countries). Openly gay Lexington Major Jim Gray welcomed us all to his city. It was also an honor meeting Senator Ernesto Scorsone and his life partner. Among the many VIP guests were Judy and Dennise Shepard (founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation) and Stuart Milk who gave a striking keynote address at the dinner gala held at the prestigious Kentucky World Trade Center. The International Court System was officially recognized in the United States Congressional Record and received the very coveted award for International Bell Of The Peace last presented to late senator Edward Kennedy. This historic event was filmed for an upcoming documentary by Patchwork Pictures that could have its world premiere right here in San Diego!

Yes you read it right. I will be on the grand marshal’s float for the 40th anniversary of the Los Angeles Pride parade this Saturday. Christopher Street West (CSW) honored the International Court System of the U.S.A, Canada and Mexico. I will be on the float along with other GLBT “royalty.” Yes I’m still big enough to be a float but they’ve actually built one! Jim Ginelli and I headed to West Hollywood last week for its mayor’s reception for all the honorees. It was great chatting with West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman and West Hollywood City Councilmembers Lindsey Horvath (beautiful beyond words) and Jeffery Prang. Sierra Madre Mayor Joseph Mosca, California Democratic Party Chair Eric Bauman, West Hollywood Planning Commissioner Alan Bernstein, CSW LA Pride 2010 President Rodney Scott, Robin Tyler and many others. See you all at LA Pride and be sure to come up and say hi!

The popular mayor of Palm Springs – handsome, smart, great father – Steve Pougnet will be in San Diego next week on Saturday, June 19 for a fundraiser in his bid to become a congressman. Steve has a great chance to become the first gay dad elected to Congress. His republican opponent just voted for keeping “Don’t ask Don’t Tell” and hardly ever bothers to visit her district! Please support this June 19 fundraiser. For more information, call 858-539-7610.

Heavy metal king and icon Rob Halford of Judas Priest will be honored at the upcoming Nicky Awards with an award lifetime achievement in the arts and NBC’s “Americas Got Talent” finalist, the super popular Platt Brothers will perform. The Nicky Awards, which have been called the gay Academy Awards of San Diego, will be held on August 29. The co-chairs for this 35th annual awards ceremony are Lisa Sanders, Michael Zarbo and Allen Spackman and their committee is already hard at work. The 2010 Nicky Awards will benefit the San Diego LGBT Community Center and the Imperial Court. For more information, visit www.nickyawards.com or call 619-300-1232

Yes it’s that time of year again for one for our community’s most popular and oldest title holders event (established in 1974), the Mr., Ms., Miss Gay San Diego contest. Gay men and lesbians can run for Mr. and Ms. respectively, and impersonators can run for Miss. The contest will take place on Sunday, June 20th at the Flame, at 6 p.m. Contestants are wanted. Why not think about running? For more info, call 619-288-1183 or 619-300-1232.

While in Kentucky, I received two phone calls that broke my heart: the deaths of Danny Bodenmiller and Raymond Anthony Leon-Portillos. Danny was the co-creator of the highly successful and fun AIDS benefit, Tantrums and Tiaras . He was bigger than life and anyone who met him fell in love with his will and wonderful personality. He just made you smile and laugh and brought a ray of sunshine were ever he went. My sincere condolences go to his mother, sister and the Urban Mo’s/ Baja Betty’s family. Support for those in need by making this year’s Tantrums and Tiaras bigger than ever.

Ray was like a son to me and would have turned 23 this Saturday. His suicide was so heartbreaking and those of us who knew him realized his life was always a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. Ray was the very first resident of The Center’s Sunburst Youth Housing Project and lived there for three years. I will always choose to remember his happy times and the community service he gave to the Imperial Court, Stonewall Democrats and countless benefits and events. My condolences go to his mother and family.