First Denmark in 1989, then Canada in 2003. When the marriage wave hit our shores in Massachusetts last November, I was elated but concerned. Now that San Francisco’s courageous Mayor Gavin Newsom, in response to President Bush’s “troubled” concerns, decided to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples, I am wild with joy. Just Friday of last week, Sandoval County in New Mexico briefly began issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples as well.

Let us celebrate the moment, but be prepared for what’s to come. This is only the beginning of a long, and probably bitter, road of uncertainty. The outcome of the Massachusetts decision will be far more long lasting. However, the San Francisco action is awe-inspiring in its determination and spunk. Some may not agree with it, including Barney Frank, but I am excited about the idea of not just sitting back and continuing to be discriminated against.

Gov. Arnold, in a TV interview last Sunday, equated same sex marriage to illegal drugs and assault weapons. Can you believe what this man is saying, are his true colors showing? The next few weeks should be very interesting.

The Center has launched a Marriage Project web site to keep you informed of the latest developments on this issue. Go to www.gaylesbiantimes.com, for a link to The Center’s Marriage Project.

The fever is on for the Oscars and I’m more excited about the anticipated outfits than who is going to win. The perennial best-dressed actresses to watch for this year are going to be Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Halle Berry. But the red carpet has also seen some of the worst dressed as well. Remember Lara Flynn Boyle’s ridiculous “tu-tu” dress. Who can forget singer Bjork, and her equally ridiculous “swan” outfit. They should have reported her to the ASPCA. Locally, Cristina Monet will be hosting as Joan Rivers at The Center’s “unofficial” Oscar Party on Sunday at The Center starting at 5:00 p.m., with the award ceremonies at 6:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $35, which includes a buffet dinner, awards viewing on a giant projection screen, and door prizes donated by major movie studios.

Bourbon Street will host “The Absolut Academy Awards Party”, Sun., Feb. 29, starting at 4:00 p.m. Boy Mike will emcee the evening, with $1 off Absolut and $3 pitchers of selected beers.

They say that the Golden Globes are a pretty good indicator of the Oscar awards, so here are my fearless picks. Best Picture – Lord of the Rings; Best Actor – Sean Penn; Best Actress – Charlize Theron; Best Supporting Actor – Tim Robbins (but I kinda like Ken Watanabe); Best Supporting Actress – Renee Zellweger (but I also like Marcia Gay Harden); Best Director – Peter Jackson (but it would be nice to see Sophia Coppola be the first woman winner in this category); and of course for Best Costume – my preference is The Last Samurai.

No, not Britney Spears! It’s our President Bush who last Friday used a weeklong Congressional recess to sneak in the appointment of William H. Pryor Jr., the Alabama attorney general, to a federal appeals court seat. It was the second time that Baby Bush abused his power as President to make appointments when Congress is not in session, and skirted the Senate confirmation process, to name judges directly to the bench. In January, Mr. Bush named Charles W. Pickering Sr., whose nomination had also been blocked by Senate Democrats, to another appeals court seat. This pattern of calculated appointments in the cloak of darkness is another reason why it is so important to nominate a Democratic candidate that can beat Bush in November.

Now Ralph Nader is running for President again. Well, I have just one thing to say to Mr. Nader – get a life! Mr. Nader, who seems to surface every four years to use the election as a platform for his agenda, should get a reality check and stop this charade that he’ll ever get elected President. While I understand his passion on certain issues, I also feel strongly that we should send a clear message to him that we will not allow him to screw up this election again.

Have you noticed a new home furnishing in the landscape of University Avenue? Well, not only are you perceptive, but you have stumbled onto a very exotically chic and stylish way to decorate your house. Sahara Designs, located at 1281 University Ave., offers a plethora of Moroccan living for your home. For more information, call (619) 295-3500.

Have a BMW or Mercedes that needs servicing? Head to Baron’s BMW, located at 8484 Commerce Ave., Suite A., off of Miramar Road. They specialize in all aspects of keeping your Mercedes or BMW in tip-top condition. Give David a

call today at (858) 578-2800.

The Flame has a fabulous Boys Night Out on Tuesdays, featuring a go-go boy contest at 11:00 p.m., with $1.00 wells from 9:00 -12:00 p.m. The Flame women say they get over 300 boys in there on Tuesdays night.

On the last Saturday of every month Rich’s is hosting a fabulous new night called “Reach” – with DJ David Harness of San Francisco. The next one comes on Sat., Feb. 28.

Leather Pride is coming up with “Dungeons & Drag Queens” night on March 1, at Bourbon Street. The evening will feature leather-inspired performances by San Diego’s finest impersonators. Also on Friday, Mar. 5, The Eagle hosts a Boot Camp contest official meet-and-greet at 9:00 p.m.

Bette Midler declared she isn’t retiring, and nobody can make her! Thank God, because her concert last week at the Sports Arena was every bit what you came to see. She opened with a production number of “Kiss My Brass”, descending on stage riding a carousel horse in a beautiful nautical pant outfit, amidst a set reminiscent of vintage Coney Island. She immediately wowed the crowd with her standards “Stuff Like That” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, recreating the exact choreography with the Harlettes from a 1970s TV show clip. Bette did a set from her latest album featuring the songs of Rosemary Clooney, including “Come On – A My House” and “Hey There”. She also brought out Soph’ from the dusty closet, along with Ernie and Clementine.

Being from New York, my favorite part was her second set featuring Delores Del Largo, starting with her humble beginnings at the carnival sideshow, to her so-so Cabaret gig in “Chicago”, and finally, her big break in NYC with her show called “Fishtail Over Broadway”. Having fun with the lyrics, Ms. Del Largo launched into a series of songs covering Broadway for four decades, with “Everything’s Coming up Roses” (Gypsy), “Tonight” (West Side Story), “Cabaret”, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Carousel), “Tomorrow” (Annie), “And I Am Telling You” (Dreamgirls), “All That Jazz” (Chicago), “One” (Chorus Line), “Hello Dolly” and ending with “Give My Regards to Broadway”. All this, while kicking her tail and whirling around the stage in her motorized “Jazzie”, in her fab mermaid suit. The audience went wild when she sang “From a Distance” and “Wind Beneath My Wings”. As a curtain call, she gave us what we waited for all night – “The Rose”. After that, no other song could have followed.

Seen at the concert were Steve Miller, Robert Gleason and Mark Matys, John McCusker, Dan Ferbol and Steve Hardy, Rick Ford and Rafael Holguin, Julia Legaspi and Jess San Roque, Bill Beck and David Huskey, Chris Horton and Mike Zarbo, Ophelia and Cristina Monet, and practically half the queer community of San Diego County. If “Kiss My Brass” becomes a TV special, make sure you catch it. This is as divine as Ms. Midler ever was.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Leather Pride in San Diego. Many bars have held their own Mr. Leather contests, including Mr. Hole, leading up to the all important Mr. San Diego Leather contest on Saturday, Mar. 6, at The Center at 6:00 p.m. Congratulations to Mr. SD Leather Sam Bacon for a great job! Go to www.gaylesbiantimes.com to link to the SD Leather web site.

Pec’s is hosting the “All Club Kink Night and Cigar Party” on Thurs., Mar. 4, at 7:00 p.m. And on Sat., Mar. 6, come meet the new Mr. SD Leather 2005 at Pec’s Dungeon Night. Let your fantasies begin. Then come back at 11:00 a.m., for a CHOW Victory Brunch with other leather men. Pec’s patio bar will be open.