Last week, Nicole M. Ramirez became the first openly gay male to be elected chair of the city of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission. City Commissioner Ramirez has been a well known gay and Latino activist for almost four decades. He has the distinction of also being the elected chair of the first GLBT Advisory Board, established by then Mayor Maureen O’Connor, and the first elected chair of the police chief of San Diego’s advisory board.

“I am honored to have been elected chair of this commission, whose members are some of San Diego most respected civil rights, religious and ethnic leaders,” Ramirez said.

The HRC will hold their 15th anniversary celebration, “HRC Honors,” this spring, which will recognize outstanding citizens throughout San Diego.

Ramirez was appointed as city commissioner by former Mayor Dick Murphy and his appointment was unanimously approved by the San Diego City Council in 2004. Ramirez was elected HRC vice chair in 2005.