It is getting more obvious every day that we must pull out of Iraq… to me our soldiers lives are more important than this country where we are hated by many and that will end up with a militant Muslim government in the long run…. This is indeed the Vietnam War all over again with hundreds of our young soldiers already dying… and more will, as long as we stay there.

As we celebrate Easter and Passover this week… we are reminded that indeed our GLBT community has a very large and active religious and spiritual community… from GLBT Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and yes, Muslim organizations and groups with, even in San Diego, thousands of GLBT religious members and churches…. I am proud of our GLBT religious organizations and all they do for our community and trying to change and educate the mainstream religious churches, temples, etc.

Beautiful Trolley Park will be the location of this Sunday’s (April 11) second annual Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt for kids 1-12 years old… it’s all free, with a special appearance by the Easter Bunny and other fun cartoon personalities….

Last year, I felt our community’s families were growing, so I thought we should have a children’s Easter egg hunt. I brought the project to Linda Childers and she and the Imperial Court ran with it, with over 100 kids attending…. This year, the community’s response has been once again great, but we still could use some more Easter baskets, stuffed bunnies, etc.… Call Linda at (619) 654-1235 for more information. This year’s Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt is being sponsored by the Imperial Court and cosponsored by Family Matters, Bourbon Street and the Gay & Lesbian Times, with a lot of other support and donations that I will recognize in my next column… this Sunday’s Easter egg hunt starts at 2:00 p.m. sharp!

Yes, it is that time again and the whole town is buzzing about San Diego’s annual gay Academy Awards, yes, the Nicky Awards’ 2004 nominees will be officially announced this coming Monday night (April 12) at Numbers at 7:00 p.m. This is the event when the 2004 nominees will find out which categories they are in…. Tables and tickets to the annual Nicky Awards will also go on sale Monday night… for further information, phone (619) 229-2831 or (619) 692-1967.

Congratulations are in order for the following realtors who were recognized in the Prudential Chairman’s Circle for 2003: Diamond Circle (top one percent in the nation) – Gregg and Debbie Neuman. Platinum Circle (top two percent in the nation) – Alex DeLuna and Gold Circle (top five percent in the nation) – Brian Yaw, Talman and Talman, Alan Schmitt and John Ackert… congratulations!

It was great to see once again solid GLBT representation at the annual San Diego Cesar E. Chavez Parade this past Saturday in the Barrio Logan…. Among GLBT organizations represented were: San Diego LGBT Pride (thank you for letting me ride in your truck), the San Diego Democratic Club, Bienestar, the Imperial Court, Miss Gay International, Azteca Project, etc. It was a great day with fabulous weather, and we were all received warmly by the Latino community.

This past week, former Marine sergeant Bob Lehman, president of AVER, the San Diego GLBT veterans chapter, was appointed to Congressmember Bob Filner’s Congressional Veterans Advisory Board…. A few years ago, Bob Lehman became the first gay veteran to be appointed by the San Diego Board of Supervisors (nominated by Ron Roberts) to the County Veterans Council… a few weeks ago, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis appointed Bob to her Citizen’s Advisory Board, and now Bob Lehman’s name will be among those to be considered for a state commission on veterans memorials.

Why I bring this all up is that Bob Lehman does not just sit on these prestigious boards, but works hard for the rights of all GLBT veterans, even flying up to Sacramento to testify before a legislative committee… he has become a media spokesperson on behalf of GLBT veterans and gays in the military, and is very articulate on these issues.

GLBT veterans owe much to Bob Lehman and his leadership and visibility on their behalf… way to go Sgt. Bob! And thank you for not only working locally, but on the state and national level as well.

The annual Mr. Gay Hillcrest 2004 contest is coming up on Sunday, April 18 at Numbers (3811 Park Blvd.) starting at 8:00 p.m. Male contestants are being sought… contestants appear first in casual wear, then swimwear, with the winner receiving great prizes, a huge trophy and more. Your handsome host will be the ever-popular, handsome Rob Baker… this is always a great and fun event. For further information, phone (619) 772-6222… the $6 door cover will benefit the Human Dignity Foundation’s Civil Rights Fund.