This Friday, July 11, will begin the photo exhibit of portraits by Oreste Prada at the Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge, entitled “Portraits of Pride”… including a great snapshot of Queen Eddie.… Catch this exhibit through Aug. 7.

For many years I have been calling upon our Pride Board to have our annual GLBT Pride parade led by the American, Californian, and Rainbow flags.… At the last town hall community meeting I urged them once again to do so. San Diego’s GLBT Pride parade is one of the few that has not begun the parade with a flag honor guard … for many years. Well, not this year, I am proud to report.… Once again our Pride board has listened to our community, just as they did a few years ago when they brought back our community grand marshals.… This year’s parade will be led by a color guard of our GLBT Veterans’ chapter, followed by every state flag carried by the gay rodeo association.… Thank you to Suanne Pauley and the Pride board.

Latino and African-American community leaders, activists and organizations have held monthly breakfasts and lunches for their communities every month for years (Catfish Club and Latino Unity Coalition). Now our GLBT community will do the same with the launching of the GLBT Community Coalition Breakfast, to be held on the third Friday of the month at The Center at 8:00 a.m., and it costs only $6! This will include breakfast, an official speaker, presentations, Q & A and open networking for our GLBT community and allies/friends. Many years ago we had such community breakfasts, sponsored then by the USDEC.… It’s good to see them return, and all community members, activists, leaders and organizations are especially invited to attend. Your monthly co-hosts of these breakfasts will be City Councilmember Toni Atkins and our GLBT Center. For reservations or more information, phone (619) 692-2077, ext. 212. The first breakfast is next Friday, July 18.

Since the recent announcement from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. that they have broadened their corporate policy prohibiting discrimination to cover gay and lesbian workers, shares of Wal-Mart actually rose on the stock exchange! We of the GLBT community should support this No. 1 retailer for expanding their anti-discrimination policy, so I urge you all to shop at Wal-Mart! During the month of July, Bourbon Street will be giving a dollar off any customer order when you give them your Wal-Mart receipt! Shop at Wal-Mart?… I know I will begin to do so and give them my support.

Many GLBT community members, including myself, have stopped shopping at and supporting Blair House since the owner was asked to resign as executive director of one of our local AIDS agencies, which has allegedly closed as a result of missing and mismanaged money.… Yet another AIDS financial scandal has been reported in numerous news articles, and while I will not and cannot go into more details, I do know that “official investigations’ are ongoing, and hopefully someone will be put behind prison bars. I will never shop at Blair House again.

Are you looking for something a little bit different and totally fun to do with your friends this year for Pride??? Why not get the weekend started with one of two exciting San Diego Bay cruises on Friday night, July 25? The first is a cruise-y “Cruise and Cruise” boat excursion sponsored by San Diego’s favorite leather bar, Wolfs. Wear your Levi’s and Leather and be ready to board ship at 7:30 p.m. DJ Dawna Montel spins. Then, Montage will be sponsoring a “Cruise and Dance” boating excursion with DJ Bryan Pfeifer at 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets for each cruise are only $25! Get them before they’re all sold out. Tickets can be purchased at Obelisk Bookstore, Hairspray Salon, Montage or online at ClubMontage.com or ticketmaster.com.

You’re all invited to the annual Mr., Miss, Ms. Gay Pride 2003 contest, to be held this Sunday, July 13, at Bacchus House at 8:00 p.m.… This is the event where we select a gay male, lesbian and impersonator as our annual Pride title holders. All contestants are solely judged on what Pride means to them.… This is always a fun and great contest, and anyone can become a contestant. For further information, phone (619) 692-1967. This Pride event is sponsored by the good people at Bud Light.… I hope to see you all at Bacchus House this Sunday night.

It’s always a wild, erotic and revealing night at the annual XXX-rated Mr. Nude San Diego contest. This year it’s set for Thursday, July 31, at Mustang Spa (2200 University Ave.). This event always draws a big crowd, and contestants are wanted. You can sign up on the night of the event.… Ages 18 to 80 can enter! Winners get cash, trophies, sash, prizes, etc. Anyone can run, so for more information, phone (619) 692-1967.

Yes, you can log on to this site and buy your tickets to the Pride festivals, dance parties, boat rides and all kinds of special events. It’s the one stop place for all your Pride information. That’s www.sandiegopride.com