As a Catholic, I am truly saddened by the death of our pope…. I believed he was a very spiritual and good man, though he never understood the hurt the church caused and the damage… from the strict anti-gay positions, to the no-condoms messages to AIDS-torn Africa. Sadly, I believe our next pope will be even more archconservative and things will not change….

I’ve just returned from a four-day trip to New York City, where it was cold and at times pouring down rain. Of course I got sick, so I spent a lot of time in my hotel room. Even the one Broadway play I got to see, Steel Magnolias, I had to leave during intermission.

I did get to attend some events and a few meetings, and even had a two-hour interview for an upcoming GLBT history book.

I will be going to Washington, D.C., in a few weeks for a national meeting.

Recently, I had a meeting with our popular District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to discuss some state legislative bills coming up in our state capital. First of all, let me tell you our hard-working district attorney does get one perk, probably the most beautiful and biggest office in the county of any elected official, period… you could bowl in her office, and the view is the most spectacular of any office, too!

Recently our district attorney has been getting high praise for her leadership and crime fighting… even the San Diego Union-Tribune has written about her hard work ethic. Many rate Bonnie as one of the best district attorneys in the U.S.A.…. She will soon be up for re-election and we all need to support her…. Then what could be next for Bonnie’s future? Mayor? State Supreme Court? State attorney general?

This was my greeting to about 300 people in attendance at the Live and Let Live Alano Club’s 26th anniversary banquet…. The good people of the Alano Club and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis had just presented me with an award honoring me for my decades of support for our recovery community. In my speech I talked about the ’60s, when it was all about “sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll” … and yes, I did more than inhale. I soon became a street person and ended up living in a garage, I was so messed up.

I have always been open and honest about this, and all of us who have had serious alcohol and drug problems live each day at a time because it is a struggle all your life, and for me it was my spiritual faith and God who stood by me and helped me in some very, very dark days.

Yes, drugs are a major problem in our community, as it is throughout all communities and society as a whole. I have seen a past president of the Greater San Diego Business Association, past president of AIDS Walk, bar owners and everyday GLBT community members lose everything because of drugs…. Last week’s Gay & Lesbian Times editorial and article drew a wide range of emotions and opinions…. I believe the editorial was cold, and no one is a “poster boy” of our community’s problems…. I also believe that the Gay & Lesbian Times should have had a discussion with the family and got their input.

That being said, I know our editor and publisher did not mean to hurt the family or lover…. Our publisher had to tell his daughter that her mother died of a drug overdose, and our publisher saw his 10-year relationship get destroyed because of crystal meth. Sometimes passion against drugs makes individuals just see things black and white. Our editor has seen drugs destroy many of his friends… both did not intentionally set out to hurt anyone, in fact, just the opposite. They hoped to raise awareness and prompt community discussions in order to prevent another tragedy. They should be commended for their courage and leadership.

The publisher and the Gay & Lesbian Times have been at the forefront of trying to educate our community about our growing alcohol and drug epidemic through cover stories, editorials, personally donating tens of thousands of dollars to our GLBT recovery organizations and in fact, have been honored for doing so.

But as you read this column, you see I’ve mentioned no names but my own because this problem destroying our community is about all of us and we all agree we have already lost too many…. So now, the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council of The Center is focusing on this issue and will lead a campaign concerning drug and alcohol problems…. Let’s all support this effort, and let’s for once be a united community in facing this issue… thank you.

Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden, the first African-American and openly gay mayor of the city, and Scott Richarson, the dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, will be presented with the prestigious Board of Governors Award at the upcoming 29th annual Nicky Awards on May 15. St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral opened their doors to the McCusker family and our community when the Catholic Diocese of San Diego closed their 98 doors.

Past honorees have been members of Congress, police chiefs, mayors, etc. Tickets are now on sale, and it’s first come, first served, so get yours today so you will not be in the back of the room, and before it’s another sold-out event.

For more information, tickets and tables, contact Jess San Roque at (619) 757-0197. The 2005 Nicky Awards will be dedicated to John McCusker, who won many of them!

IN magazine celebrated its seventh anniversary with a San Diego appreciation party at Martinis Above Fourth. Special guests of honor were publishers Mark Hundahl and David Stern, and the very special San Diegan guest of honor, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

The party had a hosted bar and unbelievably fabulous hors d’oeuvres, and many gift giveaways. A fun time was had by all, and a job well done to Russel Poncik and Martinis Above Fourth.

IN magazine was honored by Congress members Susan Davis and Bob Filner, State Senator Christine Kehoe, County Supervisor Ron Roberts and City Councilmember Toni Atkins.

Yes, I write a biweekly column that tells all Southern California what’s happening in San Diego, and I also write profiles on San Diego GLBT personalities.