This Sunday, City Commissioner Julia Legaspi will be honored at this year’s eighth annual GLBT Community Tribute Banquet. In the last 20 years of community service, Legaspi has worked for both the GLBT and Asian-Pacific Islander communities, striving to provide a voice to those who have often gone without. Since her introduction to public service, she has been involved in many charitable organizations here in San Diego, as well as in Mexico and the Philippines, including the Asian-Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project, the Imperial Court de San Diego, The Center, the Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Dinner, ACOSIDA AIDS Clinic and the Cavite Association. As a city employee, Legaspi also works on the Human Relations Commission and the GLBT Advisory Board of the San Diego Police. In her advisory role, Legaspi has counseled Mayor Dick Murphy, as well as previous city leaders, on issues vital to the GLBT community.

Legaspi’s support for Mayor Murphy has been somewhat contentious amongst some in the GLBT community. Mayor Murphy angered the GLBT community when he endorsed Proposition 22, the state ballot initiative prohibiting the recognition of same-sex marriage in California, a move seen as an olive branch to social conservatives in the 2000 primary.

Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez, supporting both the mayor and Commissioner Legaspi, deflected such criticism. “We’ve had deep discussions [with the mayor] about GLBT marriage, and we’ve done our best to educate him,” said Murray-Ramirez. “But he is the mayor, and we can’t get stuck on one issue or we’ll never move forward. Mayor Murphy took a big step appointing Julia, and I think he’s come a long way since then.”

Commissioner Legaspi is somewhat more circumspect when it comes to the subject of her political activity. “I was caught by surprise when I found out about the award. I don’t think I deserve it, not just yet. … I haven’t done enough!”

“When I came over in 1979 [from the Philippians], it was a bit of a culture shock,” she continued. “I really didn’t know what to do, so I thought about joining the Air Force, like my brother. Then, 15 years ago, I was assaulted…and when the police found out I was [transgender], they made me feel like I caused it to happen. Now that I’m on the advisory board, I can help educate the police. … I’m very proud of the work I’ve done there,” she said.

As for her support of Mayor Murphy and the Proposition 22 controversy, Legaspi explained that while the mayor might not support the community on the big, public issues, he’s made a lot of progress on the smaller ones. During Legaspi’s stint working with the mayor, he added transgender support to the Human Dignity Ordinance, appointed several members of the GLBT community to prominent positions, and is currently working to add equal city benefits for same-sex partners.

“I got involved in politics because of the things that have happened to me in my life,” she said. “These things motivated me to get involved…there’s a lot of discrimination in the city, and somebody has to come forward to help.”