There are two candidates for judge that all San Diegans should support and vote for. Let’s return Superior Court Judge Ted Weathers to the bench and also put David Rubin on the bench as a Superior Court judge!

I recently had the honor of playing a major role in naming the first street in the city of San Francisco after a gay man (83-year-old pioneer activist Jose Sarria). I worked with popular San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty, who authored the bill after I approached him and other San Francisco officials and leaders with my proposal.

The vote was unanimous to name the street after Sarria, and now we are working on the dedication date. I’ve gotten to be friends with officials of the prestigious GLBT Historical Society of San Francisco, and am honored to have been asked to be a host of their upcoming 20th anniversary gala.

The reason I bring all this up is because a few years ago I had suggested naming a street in front of The Center here in San Diego after Center founder Jess Jessop, who was a Vietnam veteran and a GLBT pioneer. We had even established a committee, and were working with Councilmember Toni Atkins. But then things exploded at City Hall.

The naming of the street in San Francisco has received a lot of mainstream and gay press, and many of you have asked me why I haven’t pursued our street-naming campaign here. Well, this is to inform you that I will be talking to Councilmember Atkins about pursuing this goal again.

At the last San Diego Democratic Club meeting, a speaker received prolonged applause when she stated that the club should withhold its endorsement of Congressmember Susan Davis because she has not yet decided to become a co-author of a House bill opposing our military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

The continuing ugly attacks, threats and insults thrown at Congressmember Davis are not helping our cause, but continuing dialogue, meetings and lobbying will. The fact is that many people in our community have not contacted her office, but many who are opposed to the bill have.

Congressmember Davis will probably vote for the change of this policy, but may not become a co-author of the legislation. While this may be a disappointment to us, it’s the vote that counts. We mustn’t forget that Congressmember Davis was one of a few members of Congress who were looking at repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and who officially requested a report to ask auditors to analyze the policy’s effect on service members with critical occupations and vital foreign-language skills.

Susan Davis has been a friend to and a strong supporter of our civil rights since her school board and state Assembly days. I will be meeting with her to urge her to co-author the bill, but I will not support any efforts to harm her re-election.

The recently released data on our city’s crime rate shows that the violent crime rate has continued to drop under Police Chief William Lansdowne.

Mayor Jerry Sanders rightfully praised Chief Lansdowne for making San Diego one of the safest cities in the country. All the while many police are leaving San Diego because of low pay… something Chief Lansdowne has no control over. The fact is that Police Chief Lansdowne has been one of the most visible and hardest working “hands on” police chiefs in our city’s history, and has established a solid record of communication and involvement with the people-of-color communities and our community.

Not too long ago, the San Diego Union-Tribune started a Sunday paper section entitled “Passages,” which has become very popular. The section covers weddings, births, engagements, anniversaries, etc., and has done an outstanding job of covering all lifestyles and communities in San Diego, including our GLBT community. The section has featured big stories and pictures of GLBT commitment ceremonies and anniversaries.

This past Sunday, they highlighted the seven-year relationship of Andy Reese and John Klapoetke, who met at #1 Fifth Ave. Bravo and thank you to Passages editor Don Chareunsy and his outstanding staff: Nina Garin, Jack Williams and Tiffany Lee-Youngren!

I had lunch last week with the new executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride, Ron deHarte, who has been meeting with community activists and leaders (including District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis) since his appointment. I found Ron to be intelligent, professional and down to earth. He is committed to moving Pride forward and building it to be better and bigger than ever before.

Ron has two children and a longtime partner, and has a very impressive professional background. The Pride board and Ron are trying to make changes for the better, and I urge us as a community to move forward and give them all a chance to put on a great Pride this year.

The whole community is talking about the launch of the San Diego American Flag Football League season, and you’re all invited to join the SDAFFL on Saturday, March 18, at the San Diego City College soccer fields.

I’ve met some of the SDAFFL members, and they’re really some of the nicest and friendliest guys, all of whom make everyone feel welcome. So get involved on the field or in the stands, and cheer for one of the biggest leagues on the West Coast! For more information, visit www.sdffl.org or e-mail sdfflis4u@gmail.com.

Indulgence Sugar-Free Bakery and Bistro (4207 Park Blvd.) is outstanding, and serves fabulous food and goodies – all sugar free. I’ve eaten at some of these healthy restaurants and bakeries before, and have come away with a “so-so” taste in my mouth. But Indulgence is one of the best sugar-free bakeries/bistros on the West Coast.

Check it out and you’ll become a quick fan and patron. For more information, visit www.indulgencebakery.com.

Those many strangers who come up to me and thank me for my community activism, or tell me how much they like my column. The other day, Richard Britton and I were having lunch at Ortega’s Mexican Bistro and a stranger once again came up to thank me. It reminded me that I spend too much time answering some of those negative letter writers, and that I don’t acknowledge those of you who communicate your support for my community work and those who enjoy my column (though, of course, you don’t always agree with everything). So thank you for taking the time, as it usually makes my day.

Friday, March 10, will be Laguna Trends’ last day of business after 16 years of providing fun, eclectic merchandise at great prices. Let’s wish them a fond farewell and thank them for being a part of the community. Discounts are now up to 80 percent off on all merchandise in the store. Visit them in the Uptown Shopping Center at 1080 University Ave., Suite 109.