First of all let me clear up some rumors and all your calls and messages about my health and not submitting my weekly column last week. Yes I am having more health problems and have been in the hospital… at this time I will not go into details and may in the future, but at any rate, thank you for all the concern and messages… I apologize that at times I will have to be missing or canceling meetings, etc… I need to rest my bod more!

As I have said before, I have always felt sympathy for the Reagan family as I also lost my father to Alzheimer’s. But I am very upset over all the media coverage about President Reagan and his administration. No one mentions how he handled one of our greatest health crisis: AIDS… the world of AIDS would be a lot different if Reagan would have taken a leadership role those eight years in office when he didn’t even mention the word AIDS until almost four years into his presidency. The greatness of a president must also be measured by his human failings and Ronald Reagan failed our country during the beginning of this health crisis. The major news media should be ashamed over this omission when covering the Reagan administration… I firmly believe that many would have lived longer or would be alive today if Reagan would have focused and led when it came to AIDS… I… we lost so many because of an uncaring administration.

The Diversionary Theatre’s current hit play Places to Touch Him is the talk of the town in many political and Latino circles. The play is about “a rising gay Latino Politician who deals with sex, love and politics.” The play was written by Guillermo Reyes, who attended the University of California, San Diego. Many are saying that the play is based on a current closeted Latino mayor of one of our south bay cities. In fact, the lead actor even resembles the south bay politician. Though many of you have told me I should “out” this politician, I refuse to do so because I believe it is up to each individual how they come to terms with their homosexuality… while I strongly supported his opponent for mayor, I feel he has been doing a good job… by the way, this play goes on at the Diversionary Theatre until July 2… info: (619) 220-0097.

Recently, two gay men I knew committed suicide… I will not go on about the rumors why or reasons given… I just want to focus on us as “friends” trying to pay more attention or understanding the signs of depression and changes in some of our friends. Let us all try to pay more attention to the “signals” that are sometimes given that “something is wrong” and our friends maybe needed us to be more caring or just reach out more and take their depression more seriously… who knows, it may save a life… thanks for listening.

I have always admired former Charger football star Junior Seau… his always giving back to the community and being a good family man. Recently during a speech, a gay slur was made (faggot). He immediately apologized and even called himself stupid and stated he may need to take a “sensitivity class”… Junior Seau said he was “very sad” he even said the word.

If you saw his news conference, you could see in his eyes and hear in his words that he was and is very sincere. I believe him and admire him for standing up and taking complete ownership of his mistake. Some in our community have called for a boycott of his popular restaurant… bullshit… we all make mistakes and Junior Seau continues to be a solid role model for everyone… he handled his mistake in acknowledging that “words are very hurtful.” Thank you, Junior Seau, for being such a class act.

Surveys show that American Catholics are leaving their churches or not attending by the thousands… yes, because of scandals, but much more. I am a Catholic and I have not left my church; it has left me and so many others.

Now bishops are saying they will refuse communion to elected officials who are pro-choice… one bishop even said he would refuse communion to those Catholics who voted for pro-choice candidates… the church must wake up soon before all their churches become empty. (Recently, it was announced in Boston that 65 Catholic churches were closing their doors.)

Those great people of sdpix.com have now launched an outstanding new resource line. It’s a complete, comprehensive guide for GLBT resources and our upcoming San Diego Pride weekend. Sandiegoprideinfo.com has online ad campaigns running across the country and all kinds of visitors’ information about our GLBT community… congratulations to Johnathan Hale and everyone at sandiegoprideinfo.com… check them out!