It’s the first week of summer and it’s going to be a great one. So start getting ready for Pride 2010 next month!

As a City Commissioner, my concerns these last seven years have taken me to many places and addressed countless issues. Recently, I took a tour of two adult San Diego jails after complaints from GLBT and HIV/AIDS inmates and asked the hard questions to officials, especially after the horrific treatment of a young transgender woman, changes were made (thank you Sheriff Bill Gore and staff). Not long ago, there were many accusations and media stories on the alleged abuse of youth at our local Juvenile Detention Facilities in San Diego, so I and three other City Commissioners (including HRC Chair Brue Abrams) went on a two hour tour of the main Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility and we left very impressed with the staff and the changes. This facility was built in 1954 and they get about 500 youth, ages 12 to 17 years booked in a month. 80% are affiliated with gangs, 60% with drug problems. There has been a rise in young girls being arrested, many for violence, prostitution and gang attacks. About 90% of all youth are booked on felony charges. GLBT youth are treated respectfully and fairly with the staff also being members of our community. HIV/AIDS and transgender youth get proper medical attention and all youth go to school daily. Sad to say that 75-80% of parents do not even visit their children in detention. With all the budget cuts and growing youth violence, the staff here are miracle workers indeed. For more on my visit, check out gltnewsnow.com