This has been a most difficult six days for our community, but most of all for the McCusker family… but we were always on the moral high ground and public support was almost 90 percent on our side of this issue and in full sympathy and support of the grieving McCusker family. I pray no other family has to go through this again.

There has been much mixed reaction to Bishop Brom’s apology to the McCusker family. Before Monday night’s meeting a group of GLBT activists were taken to a side room in The Center to meet with the McCusker family and then the bombshell of news was given to us. The bishop met with the McCusker family for about one and a half hours. Not one of us can sit ourselves in the shoes of a grieving mother and father like John and Christine McCusker, who will until the end of their lives have a big hole in their hearts and pain over the loss of their only son.

Many of you have asked why did we not take this opportunity to respectfully request from Bishop Brom the opening of a dialogue with GLBT Catholics of his own flock. In all due respect, I asked Mrs. McCusker if we could do so and she requested that we did not… nor criticize the bishop whatsoever. In the meeting she said she felt Bishop Brom’s apology was sincere and from the heart and not because of public pressure. While I most sincerely and respectfully disagree, we honored the McCusker family’s request not to criticize the bishop nor ask for the dialogue between GLBT Catholics and the bishop. None of us can imagine the pain and suffering this McCusker family went through and is going through… so at the end we had to honor a mother’s request on how we handled it and what we said at this past Monday night’s meeting.

There are so many people who did so much during this time… unselfishly and with good hearts… the list is endless and people of all walks of life, religious, from all over the county… locally: Dr. Delores Jacobs – no one can even imagine the countless hundreds of calls The Center got… Dr. Jacobs was in the forefront of this storm and it took its toll, as she was too ill to attend Monday night’s meeting. Shawn Ingram and the entire staff and board of directors of The Center who spent countless hours on this issue. Michael Portantino – who for two days spent hours lobbying and talking to members of the editorial board of the San Diego Union-Tribune, which resulted in that positive editorial. Michael Mack, Joey Accuda and so many others of John’s friends who comforted and supported the McCusker family and his partner, David Trick, during this difficult time. The leather community, who rallied and gave a call throughout the nation to urge letters, emails, etc. A special thank you to A.J. and to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and clergy for opening their doors to the McCusker family and GLBT community. Finally, thank you all who wrote, emailed, attended meetings, prayed… God Bless each one of you.

Our good friend and longtime supporter, former speaker of the state Assembly Antonio Villaraigosa came in first in the recent mayoral primary… I urge all of our readers and my friends in Los Angeles to get involved in this race, volunteer and give money to his campaign. Four years ago Villaraigosa was hit at the last part of his mayoral campaign by racist attacks… this time James Hahn is going down. San Diegans can also support and give money to the Villaraigosa campaign… like Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco… Antonio is also the future of the Democratic Party and this state.

Recently, San Diego’s popular Police Chief Bill Lansdowne invited me to lunch and I suggested Hamburger Mary’s, and he loved the food and always-fun atmosphere. Joining us was the hard-working Lt. Margaret Schaufelberger (heart of Hillcrest, North Park, etc. division). What great conversation, food and understanding… indeed we have come a long way from our relationship with the San Diego Police Department of 40 years ago… we still have a ways to go, but Police Chief Lansdowne firmly believes that the GLBT and people-of-color communities, who have been heavily discriminated against in the past, deserve fair and respectful treatment like all citizens.

Thank you co-owner Matt Ramon (handsome waiter Carlos) and all the staff of Hamburger Mary’s for being so hospitable. By the way, the latest reports have serious crimes dropping in more San Diego in 2004 following 2003.

UCSD officials are now preparing to make plans for closing their hospital in Hillcrest. This must not happen as the county sold UCSD this building to ensure care for the poor… we must do all we can to make sure this hospital’s doors are not closed… period.

In our lives there are always special friends and family members … businesspeople we are trying to impress. We look for that special restaurant for these important times like birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, etc. For me it has always been Mister A’s (2550 Fifth Ave.), especially since it has been under the ownership of Bertrand Hug, who stands alone as the most perfect host on the west coast. If you look up the word “class” and “gentleman” you will find Bertrand Hug’s picture in the dictionary. Recently Coco Lachine and Jose Saria (first openly gay candidate to run for office in the U.S. in the early 1960s) took my best friend for over 30 years, Rick Ford, to Bertrand at Mister A’s. What a magical night. And as for the dinner, well it’s like you’ve died and gone to heaven…. There is no other chef like Stephane Voitzwinkler… period. This award-winning chef can and does rival any chef of some of Europe’s best. He is one of America’s “Iron Chefs” in my book. Our entire dinner was as usual… outstanding. As for the staff, everyone is made to feel like true royalty…. Our most fabulous waiter was the most handsome Mark Dyer. Bertrand at Mister A’s has one of the most fabulous views of San Diego for lunch or dinner. I thank them all for making Rick’s birthday one he will never forget. Visit www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their website or call (619) 239-1377.

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