Well, this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, and there will be a lot of out-of-town visitors as well as parties and events. Remember to play safe, party safe and watch over each other.

Recently, Mexico’s Senate and Congress approved a bill decriminalizing possession of quantities of drugs for personal use, including heroin, cocaine, LSD and ecstasy! Are these elected officials crazy, or have some of them been bought off?

Then, President Vicente Fox announced he would sign the bill (he obviously flipped, too). But after United States pressure, including a blast from our Mayor Jerry Sanders, President Fox backed down and did not sign the bill.

But it’s not over because the next president of Mexico is looking like a real radical leftist, and thus will probably sign this insane bill.

County Supervisor Ron Roberts has been a longtime friend and supporter of our GLBT community since his days on the City Council. He has endorsed and pushed the elections of Chris Kehoe, Toni Atkins and Bonnie Dumanis. Ron has been responsible for the only GLBT appointments to county boards and commissions. He has also been a strong ally for the Latino, African-American and Asian communities. He should have been elected mayor. There is no question – he has earned our GLBT vote, period.

Yes, the County Board of Supervisors Fourth District is 44 percent Democrat and 28 percent Republican (and 23 percent nonpartisan), and its Latino population is growing. But while I find Richard Barrera intelligent and feel he has a bright future ahead of him, he is not ready to be a county supervisor.

Openly gay Republican state Assembly candidate Ralph Denney has sent out a mailer with the first sentence glowing about the endorsement of his candidacy by retired Superior Court judge Larry Stirling. Yes, this well-known homophobe who had his court room cleaned after a man with AIDS testified in a case he was hearing. Stirling’s actions were condemned by everyone, including in a Los Angeles Times editorial.

I call upon the candidate to reject Stirling’s endorsement, period.

Yes, I’m off to San Francisco to speak at the street dedication in honor of one of our GLBT movement’s pioneers and historical legends, Jose Sarria – the first openly gay candidate to run for public office.

Jose Sarria Court will be located on 16th Street, between Pond and Prosper streets, in front of the Harvey Milk Branch Library. The street has been repaved, bushes have been planted and everything is ready. I am honored to have been asked to be a part of this historic event.

Councilmember Toni Atkins and I met this week to discuss San Diego naming a street in honor of openly gay citizen Jess Jessop, the founder of The Center, a veteran and a gay activist since the 1970s who died of AIDS.

As many of you know, I brought up this idea and a committee was formed to start this process a few years ago. Now, Councilmember Atkins and I are ready to refocus and reorganize our efforts. The naming of Jess Jessop Street would indeed add to Toni Atkins’ legacy.

We are thinking of the street leading to the front door of The Center, not Centre Street. I’ll give you a full report next week.

Congressmember Bob Filner and his beautiful wife, Jane, will be the honorary chairs and hosts of the ninth annual GLBT Community Tribute, which will take place on Sunday, June 25. Our 2006 honoree is City Commissioner Bruce Abrams, a longtime gay activist, philanthropist and “community mover and shaker.”

The annual tribute banquet will take place on board the William D. Evans ship at the Bahia Resort Hotel, located on Mission Bay. Tickets are $85 and this event will be sold out, as there is limited seating. For tickets and info, call (619) 794-2777 or (619) 692-1967.

I am very glad to see that our new San Diego LGBT Pride executive director, Mr. Ron deHarte, is writing commentaries in different publications. I think Ron is doing an outstanding job of being open and accessible, and of making exciting changes.

With all due respect, deHarte’s last commentary on the history of Stonewall was missing some major points. I am glad that he identified that the Stonewall Bar’s patrons were mostly Latino and African-American, but Ron forgot to mention that they were also drag queens, bull dykes, transsexuals, hustlers… yes, GLBT street people who were looked down upon by their own community but were brave enough to fight back. We must always remember who these people were and that, yes, they were later joined by the rest of the New York gay community. And while drag queens rightfully get a lot of the credit, the truth is that bull dykes also played a major part on that night.

Many times these people are forgotten, or some try to rewrite history. When I was elected a national co-chair of Stonewall 25, the anniversary celebration held in New York, I had the honor of meeting some of the Stonewall veterans.

I do thank and appreciate Ron deHarte reminding us about our history and the spirit of Stonewall, and I’m excited that one of our major San Diego Pride keynote speakers will be one of our movement’s pioneers, the Rev. Troy Perry, who is one of the best gay orators in America.

The president pro-tem of our City Council, Tony Young, deserves re-election in the Fourth District. His leadership against gang violence and the fact that he has been a strong voice and fighter for his district, which is often left out, has earned our respect and admiration.

District 8 Councilmember Ben Hueso also deserves re-election, as he, too, is a fighter for his people. But, most importantly, he has become a dedicated public servant who is humble and remembers the “barrio” from which he came. He is a Latino role model.

In the last election, the GLBT Democratic club did not endorse Young or Hueso. Hopefully they have this time.

It’s unbelievable that America’s number-one TV show, yes, “American Idol,” draws more than 30 million viewers, and that millions vote for their favorites – and it costs them a few dollars. Yet in these serious times, political debates and elections draw way-low attention and interest. Yes, I admit that once in awhile I catch a reality show here and there, but where are America’s priorities? There are new, stupid reality shows popping up every day that have huge fan bases. Have we become a nation of idiots?

This coming Saturday night, May 27, follow the hunky football players to Flicks for a special wet underwear contest starting at 11:00 p.m. The winner will receive $300, and anyone can enter the contest. It’s all a fund-raiser for our San Diego flag football league. This special night is always packed with hundreds of hot, built guys, and it’s always a wild party.

Yes, you’re all invited to the annual Memorial Day T-Dance on the San Diego Bay on a big, beautiful boat. The event is hosted by Michael Mack and takes place on Sunday, May 28. The boat boards at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $45 and are on sale at Bourbon Street, Obelisk Bookstore and www.60tix.com.

After the boat cruise, you’re all invited to the official host party at L.E.I. Lounge. All of this is a benefit for the John McCusker Educational Fund.

Nowhere in San Diego will you find a more professional chiropractor than at Robek Chiropractic. Handsome Shawn Robek is friendly and dedicated to getting you back to health. Every client is provided with individualized attention and treatment plans. He even offers home-care exercise classes. Visit Dr. Shawn for all your chiropractic needs. Robek Chiropractic is located in the Uptown Shopping Center. (619) 295-9791.

In the past months, I’ve been unable to attend many events, receptions, etc. This has been very frustrating for me because at times I’ve agreed to be a host or a co-chair of the event or the event has involved good friends.

Please understand, once again, that it is because of my health problems. I missed my good friend Pierre Rivet’s son’s wedding, Delores and Heather’s baby shower, receptions for Mayor Steve Padilla and Councilmember Mary Salas, and even a private reception for General Fidel Ramos, the former president of the Philippines, which I was invited to. I’ve missed the Rev. Tony’s farewell service, Leonard Simpson and Big Mike’s Runway in the Park, Stepping Stone’s Living Out Loud, and the list goes on. Please forgive me and know that I would have been there if I could have.

It is very depressing to not be as healthy as I used to be. Sometimes I have good days and bad weeks…. it’s tough getting old, but I’ll keep on doing my best to stay involved. I have resigned from almost all of my national and state boards. I travel as little as I have to, and even this recent short trip to Arizona – at 104 degrees, it had me down when I returned.

My health bills are skyrocketing. I say this to you all because for over 40 years my life has been an open book for all to see. I just hate to disappoint those who count on me and my attendance. Thank you for understanding.