Over 200 cities across America will be celebrating “GLBT Center Awareness Day”. We in San Diego have one of the best community centers in the nation… A big “thank you” to all the Center volunteers, staff and Board!

Hey yes, I believe in tolerance and support of Muslim Americans, but I have great concerns with their leaders. Silence…when it comes to the stoning of women in Muslim countries…of murders and killings of gays…of Muslim nations calling for the death of all Jews and the end of Israel …about Muslim countries prohibiting the building of any Christian churches or Jewish synagogues on their lands. Why do American Muslim leaders never speak out on these issues?? Tolerance is a two-way street…tolerance begins with oneself.

While yes I am supporting former Deputy State Attorney Howard Wayne for the 6th District City Council seat, I am concerned about the continuing attacks and bashing of his opponent Lorie Zapf as a homophobe. If I’ve learned something these last decades as a gay Latino activist it’s that people do change that have been in the past racist or homophobic. I called upon Ms Zapf to conduct an interview with a GLBT media outlet and clarify her past statements and she did with SDGLN.

The facts are that some years ago Lorie Zapf did make some very ugly anti-gay statements which she has since stated she has regretted and changed her views. Ms Zapf endorsed openly gay District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, and Councilman Carl DeMaio has become a big supporter of Zapf and I don’t believe Carl would support a homophobe. Former Police Chief of Los Angeles Ed Davis used to have his cops raid gay bars and beat up customers. Years later he became a major gay rights supporter in the State Senate. People do change their minds and I believe Ms Zapf has changed her views. While I wish her the best I still believe Howard Wayne is the better candidate for the 6th District City Council seat.

Did you know that 24 year old Navy veteran and University of San Diego student leader Joseph Rocha played a major role in the recent ruling by US District Judge Virginia Phillips declaring that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is unconstitutional??

Rocha who was a keynote speaker at the annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast last May was a key witness and gave testimony. The respected federal judge stated that she found Joseph Rocha to be “sincere and a forthright credible witness”…indeed Rocha has become a national advocate for gays in the military and was even profiled on a CNN News Special. This young Latino gay man has worked in the offices of Congresswoman Susan Davis and San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Duffy and many feel he is a future Congressman in his own right.

Thank you Joseph Rocha and the Log Cabin Republican Club who filed this now successful lawsuit in 2004.

Follow the crowds this weekend for gay icon, activist and comedian Robin Tyler’s fun play, “Always a Bridesmaid, never a Groom” at the Diversionary Theatre till Sunday. Councilman Todd Gloria and I will be presenting Robin with a special honor this Friday night…get your tickets now: (619) 220-0097 or www.diversionary.org