I hope you all had a fabulous New Year. I’m off to our state capital for four days of meetings, conferences and lobbying.

Well, I’m certainly not the party person I used to be. On New Year’s Eve, I joined former city commissioner Steve Miller and businessman Rick Ford for an outstanding dinner at Martinis Above Fourth (which serves my all-time favorite bacon-wrapped steak.) Then it was off to the Hillcrest Cinemas to see Brokeback Mountain. Rick and I decided to hit Barona Casino, and after midnight I went home and went right to sleep. That’s all this old queen could take in one night.

Mayor Jerry Sanders and San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis have agreed to be “honorary chairs” of the Alano Club’s annual gala dinner on Jan. 28 at The Center. This was the quickest acceptance I’ve ever received from the two public officials (within hours) to chair this event, and this is because both Sanders (an ex-police chief) and Dumanis (a former judge) both know how drug and alcohol abuse has affected our society. They both have witnessed drug and alcohol addiction first hand, and know that the Alano Club and Stepping Stone change and save lives every day, and should be supported.

In other words, these two public officials “get it” when it comes to this ever-growing problem and have supported the recovery community for decades. The Alano Club is honored that these two highly respected leaders have accepted, and the Jan. 28 gala is looking like it will be another great event. Among the honorees are Cheryl Houk of Stepping Stone and Michael Portantino, publisher of the Gay & Lesbian Times. There will be outstanding entertainment, fine food and a great silent auction. Mark Jan. 28 on your calendar, because this is always a wonderful and moving evening.

This past week, one of our community’s pioneers and longtime leaders/activists died of stomach cancer. The ever-young and handsome Dr. Drew Mattison passed away at the age of 57. Drew and the love of his life, Dr. David Mattison, were together for over 40 years. They were authors of the first book on gay relationships, The Male Couple, and appeared on numerous national TV shows including “Oprah.” I’ve been good friends with David and Drew since the 1970s, and we worked on many projects and events together.

The couple was one of our community’s first political and charity fund-raisers, and both personally gave a lot back to our community in time and money. Drew and I were especially close, and he would call me, even this last year, to make sure I was OK – he was always there for me and for any of his friends. Our GLBT community owes much to Dr. Drew Mattison for his decades of service, leadership and activism that paved the way to where we are today. I am deeply saddened by this loss, and my prayers and thoughts go out to his partner and family. We will continue the good fight in your memory, Drew. Rest in peace.

Next week’s special election for city council could change our city government from being a moderate/progressive one to a more conservative one. We have always had a friend in City Council District 8, and now there is a chance that a right-wing conservative, anti-gay candidate could win this seat. We must support the campaign of Ben Hueso, who knows the district and will restore dignity back to this seat. You’re all invited to a fund-raiser this Friday, Jan. 6, at Baja Betty’s from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Donate $100, $150, $250 or whatever you can give. Call (619) 692-1967 for more information. Councilmember Toni Atkins is the chair of this Friday’s fund-raiser.

Everyone, rightfully so, is talking about the movie Brokeback Mountain. This is such a great movie; it is like what the movie Love Story (with Ryan O’Neal) was in the ’70s. One would have to have lived through the ’60s (when the movie first began) to fully understand what these two men were up against, especially in Wyoming and Texas… even in California homosexuality was against the law.

Brokeback Mountain is an epic love story that will go down in cinema history, and has been receiving almost universal critical acclaim and praise. It’s a masterpiece of acting, storytelling, scene and beauty. The well-done “love scene” is so erotic some men just can’t help being aroused. It’s a movie that will steal your heart, and you will certainly leave the theater with tears in your eyes.

It has become and overnight sensation. In San Diego, playing in its second week at only two theaters, it placed fourth (King Kong, playing in 27 theaters, placed first.) Nationally, in its second week, Brokeback Mountain placed eighth playing in only 69 theaters (King Kong was first, playing in 3,568 theaters.) All I’ve got to say about Brokeback Mountain is… wow!

Everyone who went to Resolution: The Party is raving about how awesome the performers were (Sheena Easton, En Vogue, June and Bonnie Pointer, etc.). All played live with bands. It was one of the most professional and well put together events our community has seen in decades, and even included “attendants” at the bathrooms. Nothing was overlooked. While the weather kept some away, the hundreds who showed up had a great time. When was the last time we had so many real stars on one stage? San Diego Pride should hire the Stepher Group to do their entertainment stage. You’ll be hearing about more exciting events from the Stepher Group in the future.

SunBears Weekend 2006, Jan. 12-16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend), is that special time of year when members of Bears San Diego (BSD), hairy men and their admirers from around the world gather for their annual social fund-raising charity to benefit the Hillcrest Youth Center. BSD is a California not-for-profit organization headquartered in San Diego.

SunBears Weekend kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 12, at 7:00 p.m. with dinner at the Lumberjack Grille, and events take place all weekend. To register for this event, visit www.sunbearsweekend.com or call (619) 364-6893.

Bacchus House is celebrating their fourth anniversary this Saturday, Jan. 7, from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. Stop by and get an invitation!

And if you’re looking to keep the party going throughout January, check out Bacchus House’s new afterhours on Saturdays, in conjunction with their hot new night Pump, featuring top-notch DJs and go-go boys. This Saturday, Jan. 7, features DJ Jon Williams. On Saturday, Jan. 14, Pump hosts DJ Bruce Trites, and on Saturday, Jan. 21, it’s San Francisco DJ Jamie J. Sanchez.