In the last few years, I’ve started truly hating flying on planes… the long lines, the cost, and now the fact that many airlines don’t even give you a snack! Because of this and my health, I have had to cut back my service on state and national boards to a bare minimum… so trust me, when I do go out of town, the flying aspect drives me crazy. Now I know why many airlines are going broke; because I’m not alone in my feeling about the growing negativity concerning our airlines and air travel.

When I received an invitation from the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego to join state Senator Christine Kehoe as their special guests at their 35th anniversary celebration this past weekend, I was deeply honored…. I was also looking forward to a private luncheon with my long-time friend, the Reverend Troy Perry, the founder of MCC.

But then I received a phone call from the legal counsel of one of the GLBT national executive boards that I serve on that the chair could not attend our upcoming board meeting, and as the elected president, I was needed to attend the two-day meeting or we would not have a quorum to conduct business. I was also to speak at a Kentucky GLBT fundraiser, at which Mayor Teresa Isaac of Lexington, Ky., would be in attendance.

So I reluctantly got on a plane and headed out to the Bluegrass red state of Kentucky, which is also about 97-percent white and voted overwhelmingly to ban same-sex marriages.

While Kentucky still does not have a Pride parade, they do have a Kentuckiana Pride Festival for a day. State Senator Ernesto Scorone also holds the distinction of being the state’s first and only openly gay elected official.

The last time I was in Kentucky I had the opportunity to visit the historic home of former First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. This time I visited the Shakers Village (descendants of the Quakers) of Pleasant Hill… a historic village from the 18th century. Of course, I had my usual fried green tomatoes at the world-famous Ramsey’s Restaurant.

I will be in attendance at the MCC’s morning service to personally congratulate the pastor – Reverend Tony – the clergy and the congregation on what I heard was a wonderful 35th anniversary service.

Yes, I am very disappointed when it comes to Vargas’ vote on AB 19… but I will not condemn him, nor bad mouth him, as some are doing…. I refuse to condemn him for this one vote in light of his near 100-percent approval record by Equality California (our GLBT voice in our state Capitol) on GLBT and HIV/AIDS issues. I also remember some of the disrespect shown to the Assembly member’s chief of staff at a Democratic club meeting.

Yes, I am strongly supporting Congressmember Bob Filner for re-election… but I strongly disagree with those who are trying to paint Vargas as our enemy.

I always enjoy Professor Rob DeKoven’s columns, as they usually give you food for thought and are right on target. I believe his last column on the San Diego Police Department and former chief of police Jerry Sanders was, in all due respect, way off base.

While DeKoven’s column correctly covered the past bad relations our community has had with the San Diego Police Department… he failed to cover the recent decade of major changes.

Yes, I was here in the 1960s and ’70s, when gays and people of color were beaten and discriminated against by many police officers…. But under Jerry Sanders, major changes were started, building stronger relations and better communication between the police department and all minorities…. Sanders was a leader, and personally committed to the equal treatment and dignity of all citizens of our city.

DeKoven failed to mention that San Diego is one of only three cities in the nation with a GLBT advisory board to the chief of police…. Yes, things are not perfect, and there are still some “bad apples” in the police department, but not in their leadership. Our community and city has been well served by our current chief of police, William Lansdowne, who has an outstanding record of communication and involvement with our city’s people of color and GLBT leaders and activists… and Jerry Sanders must be given credit for being responsible in a great way for all the progress and changes within the San Diego Police Department.

Recently, mayoral candidate Steve Francis was viciously attacked in a news bulletin put out by members of the radical religious right in San Diego. Francis was attacked for his belief in dignity, equality and respect for all citizens of San Diego, including the GLBT community.

What was even more unbelievable about this vicious attack was that his wife was also included. “Steve and Gayle Francis: Lovers of the Radical Gay Agenda.” Mrs. Francis’ sister was even attacked for being a producer of the “Will & Grace” television show…. The facts are that the three major front-runners for mayor will be the target of the radical right in San Diego because all three – Donna Frye, Jerry Sanders and Steve Francis – believe in the dignity and equality of all the citizens of our city…. The radical right has nowhere to go in San Diego with their hateful agenda.

The honoree of this year’s eighth annual GLBT Community Tribute Banquet, taking place on Sunday, June 26, is the beloved Julia Legaspi, and we are all looking forward to this event at the beautiful Westin Horton Plaza Hotel.

A wonderful banquet is being planned for this well-deserved recognition of a leader, activist, fundraiser and city commissioner, who is a much respected and loved lady in the Asian Pacific Islander and GLBT communities. Everyone is extended an invitation to this tribute. For more information and tickets, call (619) 692-1967 or (619) 757-0197.

Calling all female impersonators! Coming up on Sunday, June 19, Numbers is holding the annual “Show Queen of the Year” contest at 7:00 p.m. sharp. They are seeking contestants, so call (619) 521-4851 for more information.

Great news: MM Productions will be hosting killer events for San Diego Pride weekend, including a T dance at the House of Blues! Also, some really hot boat cruises that are always super-popular…. Coming up on June 19 at the House of Blues will be the fabulous DJ Lydia Prim…. Visit this column online at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a Web link to information or tickets for any of these events.

You know how important I think this mayor’s race is for the city of San Diego. The Center and the Gay & Lesbian Times are teaming to put on a mayoral forum June 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at The Center’s monthly Community Coalition Lunch. Almost all the candidates have confirmed. Come down and decide for yourself who should be San Diego’s next mayor.