Easter is coming, and our third annual GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt is coming up at Trolley Barn Park. There is a serious need for Easter baskets, bunnies, eggs, etc. (last year over 300 kids showed up). For more information, call Linda Childers at (619) 303-2384 or me at (619) 692-1967… thank you!

As many of you know, I’ve had a column in a GLBT publication for well over 36 years…. When I write about people-of-color issues or focus on our Jewish community, I’ve always received hate mail and yes, both from within and outside of our own community. Sometimes these racist or anti-Semitic letters are three or four pages long and so full of prejudice and hate…. Though at times very shocking or hurtful, I just throw them away and have for over three decades, until this one arrived (see picture). I will keep this one and all others to remind me of the hate that is out there…. When I write about Latino issues, I receive letters about “those wet backs” and how Mexicans need to all go home. (Funny, this state, among others, was stolen from us.) When I write about the African-American community, I get communication using the “N” word… yes, a lot from within our community. Recently I wrote about Prince Harry and his dressing up like a storm trooper and so casually wearing a swastika armband, and noted how not only have many forgotten that 6 million Jewish people were murdered, but that some people actually believe the Holocaust didn’t even happen, and how physically sick this makes me. So in this column, for the first time in my decades of writing, I am sharing with you an example of years of hate mail. It’s funny that I can accept the personal hate mail aimed at me, but this piece of mail ruined my day and made me very angry, then very sad…. Our world has such a long way to go, including our own community…. Did you know that most GLBT publications are picked up less when there is a person of color on them or a lesbian? … Yes, a solid and true fact. (In the newspaper-business language it’s called more “returns” from drop-off locations.) I apologize to my Jewish friends, but I felt that it was so important that people see a very tiny example of the long history of hate you have been subjected to.

While in the City by the Bay for four days, I spent a lot of time with my longtime friend and “son” City Supervisor Bevan Dufty…. He arranged for me to meet Mayor Gavin Newsom in his office at City Hall. It was a great meeting, and at the end of it I urged Mayor Newsom to some day seek statewide office…. In a perfect world, he could and should some day be elected president… and why I say this is, in a strange way I had the same feeling in my political gut when I was talking to Mayor Newsom that I did when I had my first meeting with then-Governor Bill Clinton, who at that time was at only about 6 percent of the popular choice to be president, among Democrats in polling…. As you know, I’ve met and had meetings with many national, state and local elected officials…. Mayor Newsom is the future of the Democratic Party and comes from a generation that will lead America one day…. He reminded me of President Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy – yes, he’s that charismatic and articulate…. Keep your eyes on Newsom. He’s going places.

On the subject of elected public officials going places… as a friend of the late Harvey Milk (boy, do I have some fun pictures of us together), I’ve gotten to know every city supervisor that followed Harvey since his assassination, and I’ve gotten to know other GLBT elected officials (be them former Treasurer Susan Leal or Senator Migden). I believe that Bevan Dufty has what it takes to be elected San Francisco’s first gay mayor.

Dufty is a coalition builder, an outstanding public speaker, a person who does not just talk, but walks and lives people of color and diversity issues, and is pro-business-friendly. His constituents love him, as I witnessed – everywhere we went, people waved and came up to him (just like when I was with Harvey, or in his camera shop)…. For the second time, you’ve read it here first: Some day I could easily be writing about my meeting with Mayor Bevan Dufty of San Francisco!

I had a great time in San Francisco because this time I took the time to “smell the roses” between my political meetings, board meetings and charity (Imperial Court) obligations. I don’t recommend you ever stay at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, as it has become like a Motel 6! I’ve found a new, unbelievably great restaurant that I’ll cover in my next column (LIME, 2247 Market St.), and thank you, Rick Ford, for making sure that I took the time to smell the roses, and Coco LaChine for keeping me sane for my Imperial Court obligations.

The great news is that the streets of San Francisco are cleaner, and the homeless issue has finally been made a priority.

I met some great people and new friends. San Francisco’s new city treasure, Jose Cisneros (who could become their first elected Latino mayor); Steve Kawa (chief of staff to Mayor Newsom), a really hard-working guy with a great Kennedy accent who has two beautiful children; Matthew Goudeau (the mayor’s protocol officer), who I will soon be “proclaiming” the Royal Minister of Protocol.

Before I left for the City by the Bay, I had lunch with our own popular Councilmember Toni Atkins at her favorite spot, the Westgate Hotel. Though most of this meeting was off the record, I can still predict that she will probably most definitely be a candidate for county supervisor in 2006.

And mark your calendar for Aug. 1: There will be a special birthday celebration in honor of our most popular council woman that will benefit the Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund. You can call me for more info: (619) 692-1967 or Dr. Pat Washington: (619) 582-5383.

In all my travels, I believe our city has the best, most hard working, down to earth and yes, honest chief of police. Bill Lansdowne tells you exactly like it is, if it’s good or bad news, or you agree with him or not. Our GLBT community is indeed very fortunate to have such a police chief who has gone out of his way to reach out and establish stronger ties to the GLBT and people-of-color communities…. His attack on rising gang violence should be commended, and I am proud to serve as chair of his advisory board.

Then go see Michael Angelo. Whether it’s spa or body treatments, facials or waxing, Michael offers the very best in skincare therapy. Call (619) 338-8111 to make an appointment – because you deserve it!

Check out The Flame on Friday, March 4 – DJ Kimberly S will be spinning the hits. And if one-named divas (such as Madonna, Mariah or Janet) are your thing, check out The Flame on Wednesdays with their brand new Pop Rocks night. A night so explosive you won’t want to mix it with soda!