Eleven days and counting! Barring any last-minute setbacks, the state of Massachusetts is set to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in a historic movement forward in our quest for equal rights. And while we may not all agree on this issue, it is imperative that we all stand behind this monumental victory, as we know that our detractors out there are not going to stand idle. Now, more than ever, we need to be one family!

With all the brouhaha recently regarding HIV infection in the straight adult video industry, there seems to be a renewed vigilance to target gay businesses. Most major gay video companies subscribe to safer-sex practices, and have been since the ’80s. There is also a storm brewing regarding our bathhouses. I remember back in the mid-’80s – I was a mere child then – when NYC closed down all of the bathhouses due to the AIDS pandemic. It neither dramatically reduced nor wiped out HIV infection. What did happen was that the gay community rallied together to help themselves – caring for, educating and fighting for research and medication. Over 20 years later, we should have learned something. I am not a bathhouse person, as I’m too embarrassed to show my skinny ass around, but I do not believe that using the bathhouses as a scapegoat again is the solution. In fact, the bathhouses have provided a venue for safer-sex education and outreach programs. Our bathhouses have also given back financially to our community.

And your cats, too! With the recent opening of Dogma Catma in Hillcrest, your lovely little darlings can now go couture. Located at 142 University Ave., Suite D, between First and Third, this emporium is bursting with the most outrageous and unusual pet accessories, and we all know how important accessories are, from decorative collars and leashes to toys and cat beds. They even have a mosaic doghouse that I swear is as big as my apartment. There is even a 46-inch plasma TV screen featuring photoflashes of customer’s pets and a gallery of work by local artists featuring cats and dogs.

Created by Tim Oliver and Carl Gustafson, Dogma Catma is like an F.A.O Schwartz for your furry friends. But imagine more color, style and pizzazz! Dogma Catma is a dream come true for Tim: “I’ve always been an animal lover and have had a dream to create an environment where dogs and cats and their owners can shop for the finest products available.” And since this is a high-style pet heaven, don’t expect to find your ordinary Alpo – they even have a try-on area so that your pets could model their outfits. Dogma Catma is just the place to make sure that your pet is as fashionable as you are. They are open Monday through Friday, from 12:00-7:00 p.m., and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends.

I went to the private opening party of Margarita Mary’s last week and it is anything but private. It seemed the entire queer community was there to celebrate. It was wall-to-wall revelers enjoying the flowing margaritas and endless quesadillas. I really like the look of the new restaurant with the nice rustic chandeliers, the nice big round tables, the bright Mexican art and the wall treatment. The thatched-roof bar is a bit too kitschy for my taste. I didn’t stay too long because the place was way too packed with hot guys and I get nervous when they all want me at the same time. (It’s the alcohol talking.) Besides, my escort, who shall remain nameless, had become quite loopy from one very good – and very strong — margarita.

So I went back a few days later to celebrate Aaron Borovoy’s birthday with just a few friends. We all ordered various flavors of margarita – mango, strawberry, melon – and for a dainty lightweight like me, they were quite potent. Soon I was shamelessly flirting with Steve, our waiter, who was quite a looker with a very cute butt. The nachos were very good, as well as the guacamole. My naive Asian fast food mentality was looking for those bright yellow, Velveeta looking fake melted cheese toppings (which horrified my dining mates), but no, they only use good quality stuff here. There’s a lot of interesting items in the menu that are foreign to me, but I truly enjoyed the Carnitas, Chimichangas and the Baja fish tacos. What a fun place to just hang out with friends and have a good meal.

Food, glorious food! “Mama’s Kitchen – The Coolest Event of the Year” – is a food extravaganza happening Friday night, May 7, at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. Many of the best restaurants in the region are participating, with Absolut hosting a Martini Bar. And if you’re really my friend, you’ll bid on the $1,000 Neiman Marcus shopping spree and send it to me. Call (619) 233-6262 for reservations.

The Bad Boys Pool Party returns to Palm Springs this Saturday at 1:00 p.m., at the Cree Estate in Cathedral City. An army of porn studs will be doing their share in raising money for L.A. Shanti. If you are out there, make sure you moisturize and use at least an SPF 30 sun block, and in this heat, drink a lot – of water. Alcohol is dehydrating and it’s not good for your skin.

This Sunday, May 9 (Mother’s Day), is the Nicky Awards at the Wyndham Emerald Plaza Hotel. My dear sister, Jess San Roque (APICAP) is chair of the event this year and it is guaranteed to be a fun evening. I am nominated for one of the awards, and don’t give me this story about being “an honor just to be nominated”, I want the statuette to stand beside my Sandies. Congratulations to Bourbon Street for garnering a whopping 11 Nicky Award nominations. For last minute tickets, call (619) 229-2822.

“Springtime in the Park – The Musical” will take place at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park on Saturday, May 15, with good food, a great auction and entertainment featuring Broadway musical productions. Call the Human Dignity Foundation for tickets, (619) 236-1257.

Also on Saturday is the GLBT Health Fair, organized by Priority Pharmacy and The Center, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be plenty of resources providing health screening, fitness and health information and education, plus a Healthy Body Contest. Admission is FREE!

Next Sunday, May 16, is the first annual Premios Latinos, honoring the outstanding Latino members of our GLBT community. Produced by Rafael Holguin, the event will benefit Bienestar Human Services and the Azteca Project. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. at The Center for voting, and the show begins at 7:00 p.m. Expect to see great entertainment, food and dancing as well. Tickets are available at Bienestar and the Obelisk Bookstore. For information call (619) 871-9167.

Patti Labelle kicks off Long Beach Pride, May 21-23, with a concert by the ocean. The festival is on Saturday and Sunday along Shoreline Drive, while the parade kicks off on Sunday at 11:30 a.m., at Ocean and Temple. For information call (800) 354-PRIDE.

This Saturday at Rich’s it’s the truly electrifying “Circuit Breaker”, with guest DJ Scotty K and some truly hot-wired men and music.

Also coming up on Saturday, May 15, is the return of L.L. Bear to Rich’s – always the third Saturday of the month. The theme for May 15 is “Bear 101/Cubnight”. So BYOB – bring your own bear, little cubbies, and get to Rich’s.

Get out the sparkling platform shoes for Wednesday nights at The Brass Rail – Disco Revival night, where it’s “got to be real”. They have a show from 9:30 -10:30 p.m., and disco hits after that ’til closing – Here we come, Xanadu.

Ophelia is celebrating the 15th anniversary of her 21st birthday on Friday with a get together at 7:00 p.m., at the Hole. And guess what – it’s free! This is not a fundraiser and there will be no silent auctions. Instead, there will be a free Mexican Fiesta buffet, karaoke, a drag show and just a bunch of friends having fun. A perfect formula for a successful party! Ophelia is registered at the Botox Factory.

If you’re like me and hooked on HGTV and TLC, you’ve no doubt seen many home improvement shows, including “Curb Appeal” and makeovers for selling. Well, locally we have many experts that can help you find or sell your home. Call the nice folks at The Metropolitan Group, (619) 260-1988, who have been serving the community for over 12 years. They are located right in the heart of Hillcrest, at 1709 University Ave.