Hey San Diego, Pride 2004 is coming up fast, and the Gay & Lesbian Times is once again printing a huge, colorful Pride issue that everyone picks up, so don’t miss out, phone (619) 299-6397 to get your ad in, as they’re filling up fast!

Longtime civil rights supporter County Supervisor Ron Roberts was one of the very few elected officials in San Diego to come out publicly against the movement to amend our Constitution. Roberts joined Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Feinstein and others in opposition. Our community should write, email or call Ron Roberts and thank him, as I’m sure he is getting a negative reaction from the radical right… thank you, Ron, for once against taking a strong stance against discrimination.

In my over three decades of lobbying and working with elected officials over civil rights issues, AIDS funding, etc., I’ve always appreciated and respected the hard work, assistance and dedication of their staffs and representatives… many times these outstanding men and women have made a difference, and were “unsung heroes” on many occasions. So I talked to Delores Jacobs about holding a reception in their honor and presenting them awards of appreciation from the GLBT community and our Center. It was a great reception held last week with representatives from the governor’s office, US senators, Congress, state legislators, and our mayor and city council in attendance. A big thank you to Delores, AJ and everyone at The Center who did such a great job… as our honorees greatly appreciated the recognition and I am proud that we are the first community ever to recognize them and honor these hardworking individuals.

The GSDBA Charitable Foundation will be having its annual student scholarships presentation this Saturday, July 17, hosted by Jim Mcinnis, Dr. Janette Gray, Dean Brown, Sean Meyers and Paul Somerset. I salute the GSDBA Foundation and its board for establishing and raising funds for these much-needed GLBT student scholarships. In 1979, I founded our community’s first GLBT student scholarship and now we have about half a dozen scholarship programs… the more the better, as the need is so great. Please always support GSDBA, Imperial Court, PFLAG, etc. student programs… thank you.

Civil rights advocate, attorney Bridget Wilson was the 2004 honoree this past Sunday at the at the seventh annual GLBT Community Banquet held at the beautiful US Grant Hotel. Many of San Diego’s movers and shakers were in attendance and State Assemblymember Christine Kehoe was the keynote speaker. Bridget was honored with official resolutions from the mayor and city council, the state legislature and the US Congress, as well as the office of the district attorney and others… She also received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for her over 30 years of activism and leadership. Bridget Wilson’s mother, longtime partner Kim and relatives were in attendance. Among the many VIPs I spotted in attendance were: Ben F. Dillingham, Dr. Bill Beck, David Juskey, Atty. Paula Rosenstein, Dr. Al Best, City Commissioner Robert Gleason, George Murphy, Gloria Johnson, Jeff Gattas, Dr. Delores Jacobs, Deputy District Attorney David Rubin, Atty. Todd Stevens, Emperor Robi Cox and Empress Christina Monet, AJ Davis, Julie Warren, Marc Matys, Dr. Pat Washington, Maggie Anderson, Dr. Greg Scott, Bruce Weinkauf (new GSDBA president), Linda Childers, John Lockhart and so many more. It was very nice to see former State Assemblymember Tricia Hunter in attendance as well. She is running to replace Chris Kehoe’s 76th Assembly seat when Kehoe moves on to the State Senate. A big bravo and job well done to the 2004 co-chairs, Chris Horton and Mike Zarbo. Also a very big thank you to Ben Dillingham and Chris Shaw (of Hamburger Mary’s and Margarita Mary’s) and Michael Portantino and the Gay & Lesbian Times for making this event possible.

I was very happy when one of my best friends, Bob Lehman, came into San Diego for a few days… Lehman, which many of you know as “Bingo Bob” or “Sgt. Bob”, is the co-owner of Bourbon Street along with his handsome lover, Tom Felkner. Both of these businessmen and community leaders rose to prominence and became some of our most respected activists in the last six years. Now, sadly to say, they probably will not be residing in San Diego anymore… they are back with their families in Indiana and Bob’s father is doing well after a heart attack.

This past Monday, Bob and another good friend, banker Gene H. and I had lunch at one of the best seafood restaurants in San Diego, McCormick & Schmicks, located in the new beautiful Omni Hotel by Petco Park… we had Manila clams steamed in garlic herb broth, jumbo prawn cocktails, black muscles steamed in red curry sauce, seafood brochette and Cape Sable Island Canadian lobster… it was like a condemned man’s last wish for the meal of a lifetime! The best seafood meal I’ve had in a long time… they even change the lunch and dinner menu every day… so stop by and say hi to the beautiful Sarah Lipnick… that McCormick & Schmicks (619) 645-6545… it’s fabulous!

The annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Gay Pride San Diego 2004 contest has been set for Sunday, July 25, at Numbers at 8:00 p.m. Always a great event, contestants are judged solely on their answer to what GLBT pride means to them. This contest is now in its 26th year and this year it is being officially co-sponsored by Bud Light… a great company that always gives back to our community. There will be entertainment, dancing and special auctions to benefit GLBT Vote 2004… for more information, phone (619) 692-1967.

There will be many Pride parties, dances, etc., but the biggies are those four Powerhouse events including the infamous Zoo Party… get your tickets today: (619) 220-2137.

The other big blowouts are the Club Montage events, including two boat cruises and hot dances… for tickets and info, visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the San Diego LGBT Pride website.