During my short time here as the new editor for the Gay & Lesbian Times, I have come to respect the publisher and staff and their standard of journalistic ethics and high level of integrity that underpins the everyday hustle and bustle of publishing our paper. Publisher Michael Portantino, never short an opinion, has set a high precedent by holding politicians and community leaders accountable for their actions, relentlessly standing guard, ready to drag them to the carpet if they step outside his definition of a leader. I have remained quietly observant, recognizing that he, too, has become a leader for our community, making hard decisions and taking a stand for others to follow. And – as he stated in last week’s Publisher’s Point – I have been waiting to see if he can lead under the same set of principles he expects and demands from our leaders.

First, let me state that I believe Portantino has upheld these principles by endorsing the candidate he truly feels is best for San Diego, and I respect his position, having witnessed personally the way in which he labored over this decision. However, I disagree with him in his judgment to uphold his endorsement for mayoral candidate Ron Roberts over write-in candidate Donna Frye.

As a member of the GLBT community, I must support the candidate that does not condone discrimination based on sexual orientation. Indeed, in a race in which both candidates openly discriminate, you must choose the best candidate for the GLBT community overall, but in this mayoral race, Frye stands alone on supporting same-sex marriage and deserves our recognition.

Equally frustrating is the position that both Roberts and Murphy have taken over the Boy Scouts preferential land lease in Balboa Park. While Murphy voted against removing the Boy Scouts from Balboa Park, Roberts has said in a mayoral debate that took place at The Center on Sept. 8, “We’re going to find a solution to that problem, but throwing the Boy Scouts out of Balboa Park is not a solution.” Allowing the Boy Scouts to retain their preferential lease in Balboa Park is subsidized discrimination. A vote for either Roberts or Murphy only excuses and reinforces a policy that blatantly discriminates against our community.

Frye, on the other hand, has been a strong voice in opposition, plainly denouncing the discriminatory policies of the Boy Scouts, and has voted accordingly.

Frye has been 100 percent on all of our issues. She voted in favor of needle exchange, which has proven to decrease the spread of hepatitis and HIV infection. She has stepped up in support of medicinal marijuana, noting that the use of medicinal marijuana can improve the quality of life for those people suffering from painful illness by reducing the dependence on less manageable and debilitating pain medication.

Frye is an activist, environmentalist and a beacon of light in a city in a state of financial crisis, wrought with back door politics, controversy and scandal. As a city council member, she has proven time and again that she will neither buckle under political pressure nor compromise her integrity for a vote, often speaking out against the majority on critical issues including closed-session council meetings and the San Diego pension fund.

Critics say Frye doesn’t have what it takes to run a city, referring to her inability to build a consensus or navigate smoothly through what is an overwhelming list of objectives. I disagree. Frye has struck a chord with the counsel during her term as a council member, yet has maintained the rare ability to pull away from that harmony when something isn’t right. She asks questions, insists on explanations and is willing to take the time necessary to make informed decisions in the interest of San Diego. Those are the qualities we need in our mayor.

I understand why Portantino struggled. Roberts must be acknowledged for his numerous contributions to the GLBT community. In a race between Murphy and Roberts, the choice was obvious. But the stakes have changed. Now we don’t have to compromise on someone who is “almost there.” Donna Frye is “here” and has been from the beginning.