Once again, please remember to register to vote for our upcoming special election on July 26 if you haven’t yet…. You can also apply for an absentee ballot…. This is probably one of the most important mayoral races in our city’s history.

In a recent letter to the editor, a David Harrington Campbell attacked state Senator Chris Kehoe and Councilmember Toni Atkins for not endorsing Donna Frye for mayor. Campbell has the audacity to call Atkins and Kehoe “disgraces” and “courage-less,” and urges us to not ever vote for these two hard-working and dedicated public servants again.

Mr. Campbell, I beg to differ with you… both of these women are “profiles in courage.” Are you even aware of the death threats and vicious hate mail these women have received during their public careers just because they are “open lesbians”?

It took a lot of courage, yes, great courage, for Toni Atkins to be the only council member to endorse Donna Frye during her write-in campaign…. Atkins’ endorsement of Frye received the wrath of supporters of incumbent Mayor Murphy and County Supervisor Roberts.

It took a lot of courage for Chris Kehoe to stand up and become the first open lesbian to run and win public office, receiving a lot of hate and vicious attacks by the radical right along the way.

Mayoral candidate Jerry Sanders is a friend and longtime supporter of these two women… and both women respect and admire Donna Frye (Senator Kehoe even named her “Woman of the Year”). I have had my differences with these two public officials, but I will respect whatever decision they make concerning the mayoral race, though I may not agree.

Mr. Campbell, Kehoe and Atkins are far from being “disgraceful,” and have earned their re-elections – and will continue to do so by all of their constituents…. Your letter, sir, is what is a disgrace.

I believe that the GLBT community’s interests will be served with the election of Donna Frye, Jerry Sanders or Steve Francis…. Now we must decide the most important question: Who can truly turn our city’s financial mess around?

One of the best critically acclaimed theaters in San Diego – yes, our community’s very own Diversionary Theatre – is observing its 20th anniversary with five plays, and they’re all going to be great…. The season celebration runs Sept. 8 through June 4 of next year. The five plays will be Valhalla, A Bright Room Called Day, Beautiful Thing, Twilight of the Golds and Pulp, The Musical.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone at Diversionary Theatre for giving us the best in the field of the arts…. For season packages, tickets and information, phone (619) 220-0097.

A big fund-raiser by GLBT community leaders and business people will be held next Wednesday, July 13, for mayoral candidate Jerry Sanders.

Your hostess will be the first lesbian ever elected as a district attorney in the entire U.S., Bonnie Dumanis.

The beautiful and breathtaking Britt-Scripps Inn, a historic landmark owned by Gordon Hattersley, III, will be the place (406 Maple, at 12:00 noon). Tickets are $100 to $300. To make your reservations, RSVP to Jean at (858) 481-0300.

Sanders recently received the endorsement of GLBT Vote 2005…. Our mayoral special election is set for July 26.

The Imperial family of San Diego and guests are invited to a really fun event, “High Tea,” this coming Sunday, July 10, at Martinis Above Fourth from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.…. Your hostess will be Empress XXXIV candidate Ophelia, and this is truly going to be a fun, campy, outrageous afternoon, where all that is required of men and women is that they must be wearing gloves and ladies’ hats. You do not have to be in drag, but hats and gloves are strictly required! For more information, phone (619) 255-2095.

It’s no secret that I lived for about five years of my life as a transsexual, and during the 1970s I underwent silicone treatment…. Even in San Diego I attended these “pumping parties” along with many entertainers, like flawless Cher impersonator Chad Michaels, as well as transsexuals, females and even males who went to get their penises enlarged.

Soon I educated myself about the huge danger in this and quickly switched to plastic surgeons from Beverly Hills to San Diego (the very best is Dr. Pierre Rivet).

Most transsexuals cannot afford plastic surgeons or, sadly, even basic medical care. Now we have two transsexuals who are comatose in the hospital after silicone was pumped into their hips and buttocks. Contrary to rumors, they are both in very serious condition… both are alive, so please keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

And as for those individuals trying to collect money for their funerals… these two women are still alive…. Your actions are not appreciated by their families and friends.

You’re all invited to the annual “Mr., Ms. and Miss San Diego Pride 2005” contest, taking place this Sunday, July 10, at the award-winning Numbers nightclub (8:00 p.m. sharp). Contestants are still being sought and can sign up this Sunday night…. All contestants (male, female, impersonators and transsexuals) are judged solely on the question, “What GLBT Pride means to me.”

The co-sponsor of this 28th annual event will be Bud Light…. For further information, phone (619) 692-1967.

Finally a pageant and titles/positions for our transsexual community… coming in late September will be the first annual “Mr. & Ms. Trans San Diego Pageant,” an exciting event that will benefit a local transsexual cause organization. The event is to be sponsored by the Imperial Court de San Diego, and promises to be a wonderful and positive evening for our transsexual community and its supporters.

“Mr. Trans” contestants will first come out in casual wear, then in evening wear. “Ms. Trans” contestants will appear three times: in beach wear, casual wear and evening wear…. For further information, phone (619) 993-8315.