Well, I’ve just returned from five days in Nebraska (two hours in Iowa) and it’s always great to meet GLBT community leaders and activists in “America’s Heartland.” Trust me, it’s a lot easier to be gay in California or New York than it is in these “red states.”

Those of us that were around in the 1960s and 70s have been fortunate to see how much things have changed in America for Blacks, Latinos, the GLBT community and other minorities. We have, in many ways, witnessed history and the changing of America. You have to remember that I came from a time in which homosexual love was illegal until 1976, I personally knew lesbian and gay men who were sent to mental hospitals by the courts or their families and were subjected to electric shock treatments and returned from these “hospitals” never the same. I witnessed lesbian and gay couples arrested by undercover police vice officers in our bars for “lewd conduct” because they were kissing each other or dancing. I remember our first Pride March in 1974 and our first Pride Parade/Rally in 1975. Many wore paper bags on their heads to hide who they were, some were in the military. The GLBT community’s continuing fight for full equality is indeed the Civil Rights Movement of the 21st Century. But we stand on the shoulders of those organizers, activists and leaders of the 1960s and 70s, so many that are no longer here with us. For me, every Pride weekend I think of many of them, like Jess Jessop, Albert Bell, Brad Truax, Tom Homann, Clint Johnson, Barbara Crusberg, Gary Reese, Corine McKey, Tawny Tann, Neil Good, Don Hauk and the list is endless. I feel blessed that God has let me witness the growth and strength of both my Latino and GLBT community. I established our community’s Hall of Honor at the Center, the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, the GLBT History Exhibit at City Hall, etc, so that we will never forget those true pioneers and trailblazers who built our community. And to enjoy the sacrifice and fruits of their labor everyday. Indeed, let’s never ever forget those whose shoulders we stand on, thank you.

You all have till next Friday, July 23 to stop by City Hall (202 C St.) and see the first ever GLBT History Exhibit from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This historic exhibit is one of the very first such exhibits in a city hall in our country! The official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony was awesome, among the very special guests of honor were Senator Chris Kehoe (the first elected GLBT official in San Diego), Councilman Carl DeMaio, Councilman Todd Gloria and Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco. Almost all the Councilmembers were present and it was just a very wonderful and moving event. A most special “thank you” to all the members of the committee, Lambda Archives, the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, The Center, G.S.D.B.A., San Diego LGBT Pride, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, HRC, Victory Fund, San Diego Foundation, Blanchford Cooper Foundation, the Imperial Court, all the volunteers and especially the staff of Councilman Todd Gloria. Stop by City Hall and learn about the history of our GLBT community in San Diego.

Yet another soldier I know has come back from Iraq missing his legs, he is only nineteen. San Diego is the home of the largest military complex in the Western Hemisphere, many local soldiers have been killed or wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, a war we cannot and will not win (didn’t we learn from the Vietnam War?). Where is the GLBT presence in the anti-war movement? It’s almost invisible. Yes, I support our troops but I want them out of harm’s way. This war has already cost our country $345 billion and over a thousand American lives and growing. There are now over 93,000 U.S. service members in Afghanistan, it is long overdue that Americans raise their voices louder against this war.

You’re all invited to celebrate the San Diego presentation of the Milk Honors tonight, Thursday July 15th at the beautiful home of the Weiss Brothers (1041 Cypress Ave.) from 6-8 p.m. Stuart Milk of the Harvey B. Milk Foundation will be making the presentations to Mayor Sanders, Lisa Sanders, Senator Chris Kehoe and City Commissioner Robert Gleason. There will be fabulous hors d’ oeuvres, a hosted bar and the donation to the Milk Foundation is only $75. Hope to see you all there. For more information, call 619-692-1967.

This year’s 35th presentation of the “Gay Academy Awards,” yes, the Nicky Awards are going to be more exciting and fun than ever before. Special honors will be given to the City of West Hollywood on this their 25th anniversary and to heavy metal icon, Rob Halford of Judas Priest. There will be entertainment by the Pratt Brothers of “America’s Got Talent.” Get your tickets and tables early as this event always sells out!