Don’t forget this Sunday’s annual Scouting for All rally in Balboa Park, starting at 11:00 a.m. We must not let go of this issue of discrimination, so please support this rally. For more information, visit www.sdscoutingforall.org.

The latest polls indicate that the campaign for mayor of San Diego has turned into a dead heat. While recent polls had shown former police chief Jerry Sanders comfortably ahead of Councilmember Donna Frye, the latest polls show that they are tied.

Yes, I have endorsed Sanders for mayor, as I believe he is the leader who can turn our city around, and I have known him for many years. I do highly respect Donna Frye for her leadership on GLBT civil rights issues, but my priority is the mess at City Hall and the candidate who can fix it.

Jerry Sanders turned around the United Way and the Red Cross when he headed these organizations, and he is the candidate who can turn our city in the right direction.

Now, concerning the recent news article in the Union-Tribune, the facts are that I have given financial contributions to both candidates because of Frye’s strong leadership on GLBT and HIV/AIDS issues… but I will be voting for Jerry Sanders in November.

The reality is that the face or our growing GLBT community is changing fast in two ways: it is becoming more family oriented (with more children) and more people of color oriented (mostly Latino and Asian Pacific Islander, the two fastest growing populations in California).

GLBT parents are increasing, and are more visible than ever. Our annual GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt, which started years ago with about 60 children, has increased to 300! Our Children’s Garden at the Pride festival gets bigger every year, and our family oriented events and organizations are growing by leaps and bounds.

Now we as a community must realize that children and our GLBT families must be taken into consideration, and be included and respected. Personally, I never want to get married or adopt children, but I respect and support those who do.

The growing GLBT Latino and Asian Pacific Islander presence in our community also calls upon us to be more supportive of their issues and communities, as well as our African-American brothers and sisters. The perception that our community is mostly gay white men is long gone.

In less than three months, Nathan Garcia “vacated” the office of Emperor de San Diego for personal reasons. The board of directors of the Imperial Court de San Diego voted in local businessperson Richard Britton to succeed Garcia.

Britton is a “crown prince” of the Imperial Court, is past vice president of the Court’s board of directors, is an active member of the GLBT community (he is a member of The Center’s board of directors) and is involved in politics.

Nathan Garcia has been a hard-working and respected member of the Imperial Court de San Diego for well over a decade, and his “vacancy” sent shock waves through the Court. While Garcia lost the popular vote by only 15 votes, he won a majority of the Imperial Court family vote in the last election.

Empress Ophelia stated, “I look forward to working with Richard Britton as my emperor, and believe he will do an outstanding job.”

The Investiture of the XXXIV Court and crowning of Richard Britton will take place next Sunday, Oct. 16, at 7:00 p.m. at Numbers. For further information, phone (619) 284-8983.

The entire community is cordially invited to the 50th birthday party for the popular executive director of Mama’s Kitchen, Alberto Cortès, this coming Monday, Oct. 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Martinis Above Fourth. The suggested donation for the party is $25 at the door, or five items of non-perishable food for the Grocery Hearts campaign, of which 100 percent goes toward buying food for Mama’s Pantry.

Alberto’s 50th birthday blast promises to be a fun and entertaining time, and I hope to see you all there to honor one of our community’s most respected HIV/AIDS health leaders. For further information, phone (619) 284-0522.

The third annual Gay Day in South Bay at Heritage Park takes place on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. I always enjoy myself at this event, and it reminds us all that we are everywhere in this entire county. The popular Sycuan Casino will once again cater the event with a tasty barbecue and drinks, and admission is free. Gay Day in South Bay is sponsored by Family Matters. Heritage Park is located in Otay Ranch, at 1380 East Palomar Dr. For more information, phone (619) 298-5431.

I attended this past Sunday’s founding of the Charles Lewis Foundation, which is named after the late City Council member, who was very popular. The stellar event was held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, and it was very well attended.

It was nice seeing City Councilmember Tony Young, Assemblymember Shirley Horton, City Councilmember Luis Natividad, City Commissioner Julia Legaspi and Todd Gloria among the many political leaders. The foundation will be assisting youth and students.

David Valencia and Ken Bradshaw, owners of DK Hair salon, are having a raffle in November for first, second and third place prizes. Tickets for the raffle, which are $10 each, can be purchased all through October, and all proceeds go to promote cancer awareness. First prize is a Coach handbag, second prize is hair products by Bumble and Bumble, and third prize is various cosmetics from True Cosmetics. Please come by and buy a ticket for a great cause. DK Hair is located at 3739 Sixth Ave. Call (619) 546-4550 for more information.