A big welcome to our annual Gay Rodeo visitors in town from all over GLBT America… have a great stay in our great city… spend a lot of money, then get on your horses and head back to your ranches… now y’all come back!

In last week’s Update, Denise Frank wrote that (A) I am a Republican, (B) I support right-wing causes and (C) that I stated that Assemblymember Christine Kehoe and Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins are supporting Tricia Hunter. Well, all I’ve got to say is, Denise Frank, you either need glasses or have been taking too much medication. First of all, I have been a registered Democrat since AIDS first came along in the early 1980s (I voted for Jesse Jackson in my first Democratic primary). I am an appointee of Kehoe to the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party and am a past appointee of former State Assemblymember Pete Chacon (the chair of the Hispanic Legislative State Caucus). I’ve talked to both Chris and Toni and never, ever have I stated or implied the endorsement you say I have (they both agree that I haven’t). In fact, I have a bet with Chris Kehoe on the outcome of the race, with the loser paying for dinner at Mr. A’s restaurant.

Tricia Hunter has been a longtime friend of our community, especially during AIDS, when, as Dr. Al Best has stated, she was there with us in these early years fighting AIDS when others weren’t.

Tricia Hunter was attacked in the primary by the radical right for being pro-gay and pro-choice. Tricia Hunter has also been endorsed by Bonnie Dumanis. Denise Frank, your statements are false and you’re a liar, and I challenge you to put your money where your mouth is and prove your attacks on me. And if you could or can, I will donate $1,000 to an AIDS charity.

Also, nurse Tricia Hunter has been endorsed by the National Nurses Association… Hunter is a longtime friend of our community and that’s why so many of us are supporting her…. Denise, put up or shut up. The ball is in your corner.

I respect and like the new president of the San Diego Democratic Club, handsome Stephen Whitburn very much…. He is a very down-to-earth, all-around nice guy, who is very intelligent and is becoming one of this club’s most important visible and popular presidents…. He is a breath of fresh air badly needed in this club’s leadership.

But in all due respect, in his column in the club’s newsletter he had some things wrong when it concerns 1st District candidate for city council, Phil Thalheimer…. Phil is for gay unions, he is for compassionate marijuana use for cancer and AIDS patients, he is not against gay adoptions and he believes the Boy Scouts should pay the fair market value on their rent in Balboa Park (not $1 a year) and Phil Thalheimer’s parents survived the holocaust… he definitely is not against all hate crime legislation.

Yes, I have supported and have, since the primary, endorsed Scott Peters and have stood up for him when your club withdrew its endorsement because of just one vote while his pro-gay voting record is, like, 95 percent for us.

But I do not like the misinformation and false rumors that Phil Thalheimer is associated with the radical religious right and is anti-gay… big bold lies. Thank you for listening, Stephen, and you have my full support during your term.

Our GLBT families are growing every year; Family Matters has 700 members in this outstanding organization. This coming Sunday, you and your family are invited to the all-community Family BBQ (Sept. 19) from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Trolley Barn Park on Adams Ave. (where the Easter Egg hunt was held). Bring your children, family and friends… young and old, gay and straight. Lots of games and fun things for the kids… call (619) 298-5431 for more information and thank you, Marci and Family Matters, for all you do for so many in our community.

What a fun event, what a historic event as the first GLBT event to be held on the history of the USS Midway carrier… yes, I’m talking about Stepping Stone’s Living Out Loud annual dinner… it was held right on the top of this huge deck of an aircraft carrier… great crowd (biggest yet) and we are talking super-fabulous auction (one of the best of any annual event). The hit of the night was outrageous comedian Kathy Griffin as she had most of us rolling in the aisle… she deserves an Emmy Award for her act. Among VIPs in attendance were State Assemblymember Chris Kehoe, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and former State Assemblymember Tricia Hunter, now a candidate for the 76th District seat. Bravo to the events co-chairs, Kurt Carlson, Jim Ginelli, and their outstanding committee… another great job as emcee to George Biagi (his sixth year as host). Bravo to Michael DaSilva who landed the coup of the year by booking Stepping Stone’s event as our first GLBT event on the Midway as hundreds of us were trying to do. And most of all, thank you to Stepping Stone for saving and changing lives for over two decades!

Hey, what a view, what a fun event is being planned with the first GLBT dance on the USS Midway carrier under the stars this coming Saturday, Sept. 18! It’s a week long of events sponsored by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, with lots of veterans and active duty military in attendance and the entire community is invited… Discounted tickets are available for students and military. For more information, visit this column online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to the website.

Our new popular, hard working and very visible Emperor Chris and Empress Lala will be holding the Investiture this Sunday, Sept. 19, at 6:00 p.m. at The Center. There will be a buffet dinner, fabulous entertainment and the official announcement of their court members. Call (619) 794-2777 for more information, and you’re all invited.

During the month of September, the restaurant formerly known as Margarita Mary’s is turning to its customers to give the popular hangout a new name. Patrons are encouraged to submit their ideas at Margarita’s, as the restaurant will be known during the renaming, to fill out an entry form. The name calling will result in a new name and one lucky winner who will enjoy a Margarita’s-style prize package that includes a cocktail named in their honor, a private party for 30 of their closest friends and a vacation package for two to Puerto Vallarta.

To submit an idea, contestants must go to Margarita’s, located at 1421 University Ave. Contestants must be 21 years old to enter. For more information, contact Margarita’s at (619) 269-8510, or stop in.