Congratulations to The Center and everyone involved in AIDS Walk 2004 for another successful event… God Bless you all.

My phone has been ringing off the hook since word got out that popular City Councilmember Donna Frye is contemplating running for mayor as a “write-in candidate”. Frye is one of the city’s most popular public figures (she came in second in a San Diego Magazine poll of the most popular local public officials… Murphy came in first). For the first time, Democrats outnumber Republican voters in San Diego, and her refusal to attend many closed-door council meetings has made her a hero and champion of the progressive community.

The chair of the San Diego Democratic Party, Jess Durfee, told me he would support Frye if she ran, but was concerned about the difficult write-in procedure. I believe that Donna would take away votes mostly from Ron Roberts, and feel that at this late date, a write-in campaign would be very difficult and an uphill battle. As for our GLBT community, Donna Frye is extremely popular for her strong vocal stand against the Boy Scouts’ lease and for GLBT civil rights…. She would capture a big chunk of the GLBT vote. Whatever decision she makes, Donna Frye has the entire city’s attention.

Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins has endorsed Tony Young for City Council District 4… and the San Diego Democratic Club has endorsed former club officer Dwayne Crenshaw, even though he came out against same-sex marriage, which in my book makes Crenshaw a hypocrite and a traitor. There will be an invitation-only community reception for Tony Young on Oct. 5. Phone (619) 692-1967 for more information.

Many of you have asked me why I haven’t commented or been outraged over some of the comments Steve Yuhas has been making on his new radio show. First of all, we live in America and thank God for our freedom of speech. Yes, I disagree with much that this archconservative, gay Republican has to say, but he has the right to say it and if you don’t like what he has to say, turn the dial on your radio. There are a lot of conservative gays in America, and while Yuhas is not in the majority, he is not alone either… and I have to give him credit for having the balls to work his way into his new radio show.

I read your recent statements concerning our Center’s recent announcement concerning its new Latino Services Project. First of all, John, a recent Union-Tribune headline stated that San Diego County’s majority population is no longer white, but now more Latino and Asian, which are not only the fastest growing populations in our state but in the nation as well (the Latino population rose 135 percent between 2000 and 2003… the Asian population was next with 12.6-percent growth… 4 percent for African Americans).

John, youth of color make up 60 percent of the total clients going to our GLBT youth center.

The board of directors and our Center’s director are in fact very wise and intellectual to plan ahead for the already growing GLBT people of color communities. There are also more financial grants and foundation grants that are targeting the growing people of color communities.

I respect and understand your longtime concern and championing of the rights of our disabled GLBT community, which has long been ignored. But to attack Atty. Richard Valdez and Dr. Delores Jacobs for preparing out community for the changing face of our city, state and community is totally misguided.

Popular Congressmember Bob Filner has established a GLBT advisory board, and I attended its first meeting, which was very productive. What was interesting was that 80 percent of the discussion was on non-GLBT or AIDS issues. Congressmember Filner established the first ever GLBT advisory board to an elected official when he was a city council member decades ago. Former Congressmember Lynn Schenk also had a GLBT advisory board which Atty. Bridget Wilson and I co-chaired… advisory boards are important, as they serve for better communication and relationships with many “minority” communities. Mayor Maureen O’Connor established the first GLBT mayor’s advisory board, which mayors Golding and Murphy continued. While we will lose Chris Kehoe in the State Assembly as she moves on to the state Senate… Tricia Hunter has committed to establish a GLBT advisory board if she is elected to Kehoe’s seat to make sure our community still has a strong voice in the 76th Assembly District.

By the way, many people are urging Bob Filner to run for mayor in 2008… he has not ruled it out.

Our popular district attorney, yes, our community’s own Bonnie Dumanis, was featured in a recent Sunday issue of the Union-Tribune on the front page of the business section…. This major strong focus was on Dumanis’ increase in cases and convictions despite budget cuts…. In fact, Dumanis opened hundreds more white-collar crime cases in her first 18 months in office than former, unpopular D.A. Paul Pfingst did in his last 18 lousy months in office! Bravo for Bonnie and not only is your community proud of you but so is all of San Diego County… you go girl!

This coming Friday, Oct. 1, those great people of the Gallery on 5th (1837 5th Ave.) will present a show, “Hearts and Jewels” co-hosted by the Imperial Court, the Mexican Cultural Institute and the one and only Franceska…. It’s all a benefit for Grocery Hearts, a campaign that gives 100 percent of all money raised to provide food for Mama’s Food Pantry for people living with AIDS. For more information on this wonderful event, phone (619) 723-8855 or (619) 294-8430.

Visit Club Montage this Saturday, Oct. 2, for their eight-year anniversary party! DJ Kimberly S spins and there will be CD giveaways for the first 500 people.

Mark your calendars for Rich’s upcoming anniversary weekend. They will be celebrating their 13th anniversary on Saturday Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 10. Look for special guest performers, drink specials and dancing all weekend long… Don’t miss out on all the fun!

Come and see the movers and shakers who had what it took and takes to be a finalist at the Go-Go Boy Finals on Tuesday, Oct. 5, at Numbers. Numbers’ “sister” bar, The Flame, will be skimming the upper crust with a VIP Party on Friday, Oct. 8.