It’s hard to believe that June is here, and Pride season is officially underway. I don’t know about you, but to me it seems like I just got over my rainbow hangover from last year! Hard to believe it’s time to start thinking about floats, parties, and everything Pride-related all over again, but here we go…

I must admit that I am extremely bummed that I didn’t get to L.A. Pride last weekend to see Paris Hilton and her mother, Kathy, serve as grand marshals in the Pride parade. In case you didn’t hear, some queer folk were apparently up in arms over the Hilton appearance, claiming that the Hiltons have not done enough in support of the gay community to deserve the prestigious title of Grand Marshal. So in support of Paris, who I know many of us love (or love to hate), I’ve compiled a list of reasons why she is clearly gay enough to participate…

1. She dated a Backstreet Boy (hello, what gay guy isn’t jealous?).

2. She goes everywhere with a pint-sized chihuahua named Tinkerbell.

3. When her T-Mobile Sidekick was hacked into earlier this year, photos of Paris kissing another woman were discovered. Both women were topless in the photos.

4. She is marrying a Greek guy who is also named Paris. C’mon, how gay is that?

5. She once got in a catfight with Shannon Dougherty outside of an L.A. club (getting in a public brawl is pretty dykey…).

6. She coined the phrase “that’s hot,” no doubt overheard on one of her previous jaunts to a gay club somewhere.

7. And last but certainly not least – do we not remember the infamous sex tape? Not only did she perform oral sex on screen, but she stopped in the middle to answer her cell phone. If you ask me, that’s pretty damn gay.

I say let her ride whatever rainbow float she wants! And let her stop at Carl’s Jr. for another cheeseburger along the way…

Of course, putting L.A. Pride aside, San Diego Pride is scheduled for July 29-31, and this year’s theme is “Equal Rights: No More, No Less.” Organizers are still in need of addition volunteers, so contact the Pride office at (619) 297-7683 to get involved.

for those who don’t already know, beloved community DJ Tova Roth was struck by a car as she walked across Park Boulevard in late May. She has suffered multiple fractures to her back and pelvis, and needs our love and support! Please join DJ Tova’s friends at Six Degrees on Thursday, June 16, at 6:00 p.m. for an evening of food, friends and music, as our community raises funds to assist Tova during her lengthy recovery period. There will be a $3 suggested donation at the door (but feel free to give more!), a 50/50 raffle, barbecue dinner and hip-hop from DJ Kiki and DJ Moody all night long. Bring a friend, and support this special cause!

Also, don’t miss a great show taking place at Six Degrees on June 24, when both Steph Johnson and Angie Evans hit the stage! Both women are fantastic musicians, so this is a great opportunity to see them perform together, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. on the outdoor patio (one of the best summer drinking spots in town). There is no cover before 10:00 p.m. and drink specials include something called the Pink Pussy Shot – shall we show up and give it a try?

Zsa Zsa Gershick, author of Secret Service – Untold Stories of Lesbians in the Military, will be appearing at The Center on Thursday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m. to talk about and sign her new book. Gershick’s book contains a series of profiles of lesbian service members that shows the flaws in the assertion that allowing gay and lesbian service members to serve openly and with honor will cause a breakdown of morale and unit cohesion. She served as a reservist in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1982. She’s also the author of Gay Old Girls, as well as a series of articles for The Texas Observer and The Texas Triangle profiling high-achieving service members discharged for being gay.

The next Siren show is set for Thursday, July 7, at Korova Coffee Bar (4496 Park Blvd.) and will feature San Diego singer/songwriter, Evan B. Siren Open Mic for Women’s mission is to provide a safe space in which female artists may inspire and support one another via the expression of the creative arts. Each show includes open mic portions, as well as a 30-minute featured performance. The mic is reserved for women. All are welcome to attend and support! Sign-up for the open mic begins at 7:30 pm; showtime is at 8:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars now… Dyke March 2005 will take place on Sept. 10, and planning meetings are underway! Meetings take place every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at The Center. For more information on V.A.G.I.N.A. and/or Dyke March, contact editor@uptownpub.com.

Planning meetings for Ladyfest San Diego take place every Monday night at Gelato Vero (in Mission Hills) at 7:30 p.m. Ladyfest San Diego is a non-profit, community-based festival scheduled for July 14-17. The aim is to provide a space for the exhibition of photography, music, film/video and spoken word by women and trans-identified artists. Ladyfest’s mission is to strengthen, promote and celebrate a feminist community in San Diego. For more information, join the Yahoo group LadyfestSD.

T.M.I.’s (Too Much Information) June performance promises to be a great one! Kiki Luv is doing literary drag. Mocha Jean Herrup is showing lezzie films. Roberto Tejada is talking about the ’80s L.A. punk scene. How much better can you get than that lineup? The show takes place Friday, June 17, at 7:00 p.m. at the Arts and Entertainment Center, located at 3026 University Ave. in North Park. All ages are welcome and donations of $3 to $7 (sliding scale) are accepted, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

And don’t forget your weekly ladies’ destinations…

Every Saturday evening, Martinis Above Fourth is the place to be for Laura Jane and Franco Z’s fabulous Vintage Vegas act, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. I’ve gone twice so far, and intend to go back for more! Laura Jane is adorable, and the martinis at Martinis are so delicious (and potent) that I’ve found no better way to start my night out. Meet me there for a yummy honeydew martini this Saturday night!

Every Sunday evening in June, local songstress Ashley Matte performs at Bourbon Street’s Beefed-Up Barbecue from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Why not order a watermelon martini (vodka, watermelon and sour mix), check out the live music and call it a night? Sounds like a good way to end the week to me!

On Thursdays, The Flame presents Diversity Thursdays, an evening open to everyone – gays, straights, lesbians, bisexuals, trans folk and everything in between! Show up to celebrate diversity in people and in music.

That’s it for this month.

See you in July…For Pride 2005!