This coming Sunday, Sept. 26, is our annual AIDS Walk San Diego, so I urge you all to support and attend this fun and important AIDS fundraiser that benefits countless AIDS agencies.

I attended the campaign kickoff for Tony Young for San Diego City Council (District 4). A big crowd showed up, including the late Councilmember Charles Lewis’ mother and his wife, who endorsed Tony Young. Community leaders from all over the 4th District were in attendance to support Tony, including Councilmember Ralph Inzunza. Tony Young was the chief of staff to Councilmember Lewis and a lifelong friend, since the eighth grade. He was a public school teacher and legislative aide to former county supervisor and strong gay rights supporter Leon Williams. Tony Young is from a new generation of African-American leadership… he is the future of not only the 4th District, but also San Diego. He, like Lewis, will be a friend to our GLBT community. From being a counselor for abused children to coaching boys’ sports teams… Tony Young is a role model for all San Diegans… He will make an outstanding council member. There will be a GLBT reception for Tony Young coming up, with information in my next column. Spotted at Young’s campaign kickoff were: Todd Gloria, Dr. Pat Washington and former port commissioner, Peter Janopaul. I urge your support of Tony Young for city council.

While Chris Kehoe rightfully holds the honor of being the first open lesbian to be elected to our city council, in actuality, a closeted lesbian was elected to the city council in District 5 in the 1980s and remained in the closet… she was recalled by voters because she was such a lousy public official. She refused to become an advocate and leader on AIDS issues and funding because she was afraid of being outed… she was a coward and a disgrace to our community and turned her back on us when we needed her help the most… those early, dark AIDS years.

Not too long ago, another closet-case ran for office in the South Bay and I supported his straight, but pro-gay, female opponent. To this day he has not come out of the closet or championed gay civil rights in his city. In November, another closeted gay man will be on the ballot….

This is 2004 – hundreds of GLBT candidates have been elected to office even in the Deep South. Our youth need more role models, not people living double lives and a lie… If a candidate cannot be honest with who he/she is and proud of who he/she is, I will not support them… You only need to look at the recent governor of New Jersey, who was forced out of the closet and had to resign because of a hidden gay relationship among other major issues.

GLBT Vote was founded in Washington, D.C., in 2000 with committees to get out the GLBT vote established throughout the country. The past chairs of GLBT Vote San Diego have included John McCusker (board member of the Greater San Diego Business Association and the Human Dignity Foundation) and Tom Felkner (former board member of Equality California and the Police Chief’s Advisory Board). The current chair of GLBT Vote 2004 is Jess San Roque (director of APICAP); the membership of the GLBT Vote 2004 campaign/committee included many people of color, business people and young activists. GLBT Vote 2004 has two components: (1) register and get out the GLBT Vote and (2) endorse candidates. GLBT Vote endorsements have been for about 90 percent Democrats and 10 percent Republican candidates. GLBT Vote 2004 is a nonpartisan committee…. It is funded by GLBT business people and fundraisers. GLBT Vote 2004 is proud to be a member of The Center’s LGBT San Diego Delivers the Vote campaign.

Equality California officials have informed me that they will not be endorsing John Kerry for President because he is for gay civil unions and not for gay marriage. Is Equality California insane? This election is between good and evil and we must all take a stand. As past state chair of Equality California, I am very disappointed in their position.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has called it the “best bet” for the weekend… yes, it’s the upcoming Let’s Put on a Show at Spreckels Theatre this coming Saturday, Sept. 25, starring that Hollywood legend and icon, Mickey Rooney, who will be celebrating his 84th birthday… all a benefit for Special Delivery – helping feed people living with AIDS. Tickets are going like hotcakes and everyone is going…. Tickets are $32.50, $47.50 and $102.50 VIP and you get to meet Mickey at the reception. For information, phone (619) 235-9500 or (619) 220-TIXS.

This Saturday, Lavender Lens will be celebrating its three-year anniversary… it’s not easy running a GLBT publication, let alone a very much needed lesbian publication, so a great big bravo and congratulations to publisher Bixi, her staff and everyone at Lavender Lens on three outstanding years. This coming Saturday, Sept. 25, will be community celebration at The Flame beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The talk of the town is how Club Montage has returned to the good ol’ days of crowds, shirtless guys, great drinks and the hottest DJs in the country dropping in. It’s the place to party once again, and last Saturday was jam-packed until 4:00 a.m. (yes, afterhours on weekends). Mark your calendar for their eighth anniversary blowout on Saturday, Oct. 2… for more club information, call (619) 294-9590 or visit this column online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their website.