GLT » Grand Marshal: Michael ‘Big Mike’ Phillips

feature

Grand Marshal: Michael ‘Big Mike’ Phillips

Published Thursday, 28-Jul-2005 in issue 918

An established, enthusiastic fund-raiser, popular bartender, government GLBT adviser and co-founder of Ordinary Miracles, “Big Mike” Phillips not only pours a mean drink or two as a well-known bartender at Rich’s and Bourbon Street, but also spends much of his time raising desperately needed cash to benefit our community.

It is for these reasons that Pride honored him this year as a grand marshal, which Phillips says is a huge honor for him.

“It’s very humbling,” he said. “You think about spending all these years as a bartender, and you watch these people [grand marshals] year after year, and normally it’s celebrities and people that have really made a difference in the community. … I got to participate with the people in my community to help build a better community, and for them to honor me in this way, I feel like I’m representing and being a part of all these great people that have helped me get to where I am today.”

In 1996, along with good friend Nigel Mayer, Phillips co-founded the highly successful fund-raising machine Ordinary Miracles, which started with bar and service staff donating half of their tips for redistribution to local charities. Now the charity holds a variety of unique fund-raising events, and in its short history has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist local GLBT people struggling through a difficult life transition or illness.

Phillips also helped raise $10,000 for the Hillcrest Youth Center through the Sandee Awards, and last year re-founded Grocery Hearts for Mama’s Pantry in collaboration with Nicole Murray-Ramirez.

Among the myriad local and GLBT charities that benefit from Phillips’ determination and compassion are Special Delivery, the Lesbian Health Project, Being Alive, the Polinski Center and Scripps Cancer Centers.

Phillips also sits on Congressmember Bob Filner’s GLBT advisory board, as well as on former Mayor Dick Murphy’s GLBT advisory board, and has served on and chaired the gala committees for the Alano Club and The Center, of which he is a member.

Known around town for his big smile and unwavering community goodwill, Phillips initially moved to San Diego in 1989 to spend time with his best friend who was dying of AIDS. “When I got out here, I noticed that he wasn’t going to be around for very long,” Phillips recalled. “So I went back home the following Saturday and sold everything, packed my bags and moved out here. I wanted to be here with him, because I knew he wasn’t going to be around for very much longer.”

His friend died three months later.

“While I was here, he made me promise to give San Diego at least one year’s chance,” Phillips said. “No matter how good or bad it was. So I promised him, and that promise has lasted 15 years.”