Thank you for your concerns. I’m doing better, as many of you know my health these past few years has been like a roller coaster ride. Sometimes you have to take time to self-reflect, prioritize and smell the roses.

The Republican Party held their State Convention in San Diego last week and it’s obvious that the great “divide” among Democrats and Republicans is growing and turning ugly. It seems that GLBT Republicans are always bashed by Democrats most of all. While I agree that the Republican Party is turning more radical and to the right, I commend GLBT Republicans for continuing trying to change their party. The new President of the San Diego Log Cabin Republican Club is a smart, young Latino military veteran. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Councilman Carl DeMaio are the highest ranking Gay Republicans in this region and while I don’t agree with them on numerous issues, both of them are very important in changing the face and direction of the Republican Party. The facts are that it is a Republican Governor who has signed more pro-GLBT civil rights bills in California that any Governor. And it is a Republican Mayor of San Diego who is a major vocal supporter of marriage equality. This great nation of ours is a two-party country and it is important that GLBT Americans are involved in both political parties. Our fight for full equality depends on it.

This coming Sunday, August 29th at the Center will be the 35th annual presentation of the “Gay Academy Awards of San Diego,” yes, the Nicky Awards! Our Mayor Jerry Sanders will be presenting Mayor John Heilman of West Hollywood the “Mayor George Moscone Memory Award” to the City of West Hollywood on this the 25th Anniversary of the founding of this most progressive city. Rob Halford, the legendary lead singer of Judas Priest, will be receiving a “Lifetime Achievement Award” in the Arts and the North County LGBT Coalition will be receiving the annual Harvey Milk Award. This will be another evening of outstanding entertainment, pride and you, the entire community, is invited. Tickets are only $50 and will be available at the door with the event starting at 6:30 p.m., a benefit for our GLBT Center and student scholarships. For more info: 619-300-1232 or Facebook the Nicky Awards!

There is a new GLBT positive group in town called Gay for Good who are all about community service and reaching out to main line causes, neighborhoods and events. Their slogan is No Politics, No Donations…Just Good. Just “good deeds,” I say, as just last week about 50 GLBT citizens joined San Diego Coast Keepers for a beach cleanup in Pacific Beach. Gay for Good is a growing national movement of great GLBT volunteers and concerned citizens of all ages. Here in San Diego, the local chapter was started by Matt Brown (Mr. Gay San Diego 2010) and his 3M teammates Brenda Hernandez and Erik Swanson. For more info: gayforgood@gmail.com or Facebook them!