What is hot? Just in time for Valentine’s Day, The Gay & Lesbian Times has asked around and assembled the 10 hottest people of San Diego. Sure these people look good, but we think “hot” means more than just being aesthetically pleasing. We took many different variables into consideration, from beauty and body to brains, community involvement and personality – here’s who’s hot.

We’ve included 10 different categories: Gay male, lesbian, male and female bartender, leatherman, bear, politician, political activist, drag queen and business owner – that’s right, we’ve nearly covered it all. So whether you like the young ‘n’ pretty or the hot ‘n’ hairy – it’s here!

Since San Diego is loaded with hotties, choosing the “hottest” proved extremely difficult. We’ve included our runners up. These are people who we think deserve some recognition. Enjoy, oh and, try not to drool.

Age (if you choose to say): 26

Relationship status: Coupled

Occupation: Student

Volunteer and community service:

I’m not that active in the community. I guess living in North County would have a lot to do with it.

Honesty and trust are the main qualities I look for in my companion. All of the same qualities which my baby, Bruce, possesses.

My ideal date… hmm, so many choices. I would start the date early in the day with a brunch/lunch in town. Sometimes I like to take a drive up the coast on the 101, just past L.A. even up to Malibu. Hang around town, do a little shopping. (Hey I’m gay, I have to do some shopping.) Then later on, find a nice, happening restaurant to have dinner. Drive back to S.D. and then, because we would be too tired to go out and be social, we would retire the evening with a movie, kettle corn and then…

Can’t really say, I’ve never been on a bad date. But if I have to choose, I would say it was a date during my experimental days with girls. I had a girlfriend for a few months and we were about to go to the movies. I was seeing this girl on the down low – she was hiding it from her parents. We were on our way and had an accident. To make a long story short, I got caught by her dad.

I can’t tell you that. It would spoil my surprise. But I’ll give you a hint: It would be fit for a king.

Summertime. Since I’ve been in San Diego, I can’t really imagine living anywhere else. The summer weather here is awesome. Also, the water is finally warm enough to enjoy. It can’t get any better than that.

Tony Phipps

Mark Tonai

Age (if you choose to say): 36

Relationship status: Undisclosed

Occupation: Record Label owner and producer

Volunteer and community service:

I run an activist record label that supports and produces community events focused on independent music, art, business and thought, as well as women’s issues, human rights and so on.

Open-mindedness, liberal thinking, compassion, intelligence, creativity, someone who is different than I am, humility, kindness, spontaneity, generosity, reliability, someone who loves themselves or at least tries to. (Whew, that’s a long list).

A yummy meal and a little wine, followed by a long, full-moon walk, followed by a great movie snuggled up in bed. Hmm, maybe more than a little wine and some great music, a long hot shower and no where to rush to in the morning so we can stay up as late as we need to…

Oh god… the poser progressive who ended up being a major Republican, Bush-loving, wealth-obsessed penis head.

I’ll be recording a new CD during the day. I have a gig that night. Then when I get home, I think I’ll take a hot shower, cover myself with delicious lotion and call someone lovely over.

So, so many! My incredibly intense and beautiful parents, my brilliant sister and brother, this heartbreaking love-hate-filled world, everyone who’s ever told me I couldn’t, everyone who’s told me I can.

Lauren DeRose

Erica Cunningham

Age (if you choose to say): 29

Relationship status: Coupled

Occupation: Bartender at Rich’s/model

A man that pampers, loves me and gives good sex!

Flying to New York for dinner.

I’ve been married too long to remember.

Who knows… maybe New York.

You must be a model. Interested in doing a photo shoot?

Nigel Mayer

Tattoo Mike

Age (if you choose to say): ?

Relationship status: Single

Occupation: Bartender at Bourbon Street

Volunteer and community service:

I have helped raise money for Dyke March, coordinated fundraisers at Bourbon Street and have volunteered with Mama’s Kitchen for two years.

First and foremost, honesty. Second, internal beauty and third, beautiful eyes.

Angelina Jolie.

I was recovering from the flu and just couldn’t stop coughing.

I’ll be at the bar waiting for someone to give me a kiss. Any takers?

I love the movies and just people watching while on my bike.

Sharone Chambers

Emily Stearns

Age (if you choose to say): 41

Relationship status: Coupled

Occupation: Marketing and sales manager

Volunteer and community service:

Home Start, Lead San Diego and the YMCA.

Honesty, integrity and a good sense of humor.

A nice dinner with hot sex afterwards.

I went on a blind date and he was attractive on the outside but lacked heart and soul.

It’s a surprise!

C-ring!

Chuck Ferrante

Geno Bruno

Age (if you choose to say): 41

Relationship status: Dating

Occupation: Aircraft mechanic

Personality, confidence, masculinity and hairy!

A comfortable dinner with good conversation and then afterwards head home to the couch for a movie and some cuddling.

I have never been on a date where I have wanted to flee, but I don’t go on dates very often.

Waking up with my boyfriend Rob from London with a sunset balloon ride in Del Mar. Dinner following at Mr. A’s.

Head to the gym to work off the winter coat and then head to Brians’ American Eatery for more food!

Mick Frasca (prefers Otter)

Ryan Thorpe

Age (if you choose to say): ?

Relationship status: ?

Occupation: City Councilmember

A good heart, wicked sense of humor – must like children and animals and be partial to Southern accents.

At this point in my life, a quiet evening at home with a good movie.

Oh gosh, why would I want to relive that event?

I’m not telling!

Housing Day, Aug. 6, 2002, where we passed the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.

Donna Frye

Mike Aguirre

Age (if you choose to say): 26

Relationship status: Happily coupled with Jason Barsi

Occupation: District director for Congressmember Susan A. Davis

Board member of The Center; Loan Committee, San Diego Housing Commission; Grocery Hearts Committee; Mama’s Kitchen; Member, San Diego Democratic Club; Volunteer on numerous political campaigns.

I looked for someone who is intelligent, well-read and committed to serving the community. I also needed someone who would put up with the long hours I work and the many meetings and events I attend. I found him!

Ironically, it was my first date with Jason. We planned to meet at a restaurant in Hillcrest. He was very late. He didn’t say much during the meal. After dinner he explained that he was sick with the flu and asked if we could walk to a drug store to get medicine. After we bought something for his cold, he left to go home and sleep. Jason did kiss me before leaving which I believe is what caused me to get very sick a few days later. Disaster! After I recovered, it occurred to me that he must be interested if he was willing to leave his sick bed to go on a date. We had a second date and the rest is history.

Hopefully not a replay of our first date!

While at USD, I worked with a lot of other students and staff to add sexual orientation to the campus nondiscrimination policy. Our requests were denied several times over the years and I graduated disappointed that, despite all of our hard work, we did not achieve success. A year or so after I graduated, the dean of students called to tell me that the Board of Trustees had just voted to add sexual orientation to the policy and he thanked me for my efforts.

AJ Davis

George Biagi

Age (if you choose to say): ?

Relationship status: Single

Occupation: LIPS manager and diva extraordinaire

Police Association and Victim Fund

Independence and great sex!

Kemo Sabé, a walk on the beach or a three-way.

I’m still waiting for that one, knock on wood.

Work at LIPS for Hollywood Wedding

That we are all vicious, evil, conniving, self absorbed bottoms – but enough about me!

Fifi

Chad Michaels

Age (if you choose to say): 40

Relationship status: Single

Occupation: Owner of Ace Hardware in Hillcrest

My business and I have contributed throughout the years to the Imperial Court, Ordinary Miracles, Stepping Stone, The Center, Alano Club and Mama’s Kitchen to name a few.

Honesty, sense of humor, nice smile and he should be employed.

Hop on my horse Lance, ride along the beach, throw out a blanket, build a fire and watch the sunset.

When we woke up the next morning… he wet the bed. Needless to say I never saw him again.

See above under perfect date, but minus the boy.

When gay men bring in a skilled, intelligent, lesbian friend to answer their hardware questions.

Susan Atkins – Atkins & Associates

Pierrette Van Cleve – Art Cellar Exchange