Please don’t forget to vote this coming Tuesday, June 6. And take your lover, neighbor, family members, ex-lovers, etc. to the polls with you!

Coming up next Tuesday, June 6, is a very important election, with many candidates running for office. It will be a big ballot. Please remember these priority candidates: Phil Angelides for governor, Jerry Brown for attorney general, Mary Salas for state Assembly (79th District), Ron Roberts for County Board of Supervisors (4th District), David Rubin for Superior Court judge, Kevin Faulconer for City Council (District 2), Steve Padilla for Chula Vista mayor, Bob Filner for Congress (51st District) and John Rinaldi for Congress (52nd District).

Now, these races are important, being that most of them are highly contested. For your complete voter guide, I recommend you look up the endorsement ads of GLBT Vote 2006, the San Diego Democratic Club and the Log Cabin Republicans, or our very own Gay & Lesbian Times endorsement list on page 15 of this issue. But the most important thing is that you go out and vote this coming Tuesday, June 6. Voting takes place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Three years ago, our City Council rightfully voted in an affordable-housing law similar to laws in cities throughout our state that require developers to set aside 10 percent of the houses in residential projects for low- or moderate-income households. Now a stupid Superior Court judge voided this law, putting in jeopardy $9 million in fees that our city government has already collected. This is a big victory for our city’s powerful and hungry building industry… a loss for the average citizen. I urge our City Attorney Mike Aguirre to go back to court and appeal this appalling court decision.

I flew up to San Francisco for the official dedication of the city street named after openly gay citizen Jose Sarria, the first openly gay candidate for public office. In 1961, he placed ninth among over 30 candidates (seven were elected), and thus truly is the father of gay political power.

16th Street was closed off to traffic, and the San Francisco police and fire chiefs were on hand to make sure everything went well. A big crowd showed up and, of course, so did many elected officials. The official dedication began with some rousing numbers from the San Francisco Freedom Band and a color guard and flag-raising ceremony was performed by the American Legion’s Alexander Hamilton Post 448. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by City Treasurer Jose Cisneros and the police and fire chiefs (both women). The event was emceed by popular Supervisor Bevan Dufty (rumor has him being the first elected gay mayor in the future). And there were many public officials and city leaders who spoke.

I had the honor of introducing World War II veteran and gay pioneer Jose Sarria. I was given this honor because I am a longtime friend (over three decades) and the street-naming idea was mine. Needless to say, I was very humbled by this honor.

Some of the San Diegans in attendance were Ben F. Dillingham, Rick Ford, Richard Britton and Paul Young. The 84-year-old Sarria had some of his family members there to witness this historic occasion, and there was a lot of media coverage. I had some great interviews, especially with the gay press and for an upcoming film documentary on Jose’s life.

There was a special VIP luncheon after the dedication ceremony, but I will not mention the restaurant because I’ve tasted better food at Home Town Buffet. After the luncheon, I wasn’t feeling well so Supervisor Dufty arranged to have the mayor’s limousine and the handsome security chief take me back to my hotel. I did have a great dinner at Rocco’s with my good friend, journalist Ralph Hyman.

This past Tuesday, I had lunch with our popular (unopposed for re-election) and hard-working District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis at the award-winning Adams Avenue Grill. We discussed many issues, including GLBT diversity training at the Sheriff’s Department, conditions and treatment of GLBT youth at our county Juvenile Hall detention center and, of course, politics.

By the way, congratulations to Bonnie and her wonderful partner, Denise Nelesen, on their anniversary! Our district attorney is continuing to get high marks on the outstanding job she is doing. The possibility of her running for statewide office in the future is being talked about much more in our state capital.

A recent prestigious ABC News/Washington Post extensive public-opinion poll gave Democrats a lot of food for thought. If Democrats are going to capture the White House in 2008 – and they have a great chance of doing that – Senator Hillary Clinton may not be the candidate that can win.

As for me, my now all-time favorite president is Bill Clinton (Richard Nixon is my number two), and I love Hillary Clinton. I believe she would make one of our most intelligent and outstanding presidents, but 43 percent of the Americans polled said they definitely would never vote for her. In a race between Republican Senator John McCain and Clinton, the results were 57 percent McCain and 38 percent Hillary.

Now, 2008 is indeed a long way off, but we should be looking at all the possible Democratic candidates and pick the one with the most crossover support. Right now, it seems Republican Senator John McCain has the best crossover support among Democrats and Independents.

You know that saying, “America, love it or leave it”? Well, we GLBT Americans may not have all our rights, but we still live in a great country. The GLBT community tried to hold their first Pride parade in Moscow, Russia, and were beaten and arrested. Gay men and lesbians were beaten, some to a bloody pulp, by right-wing opponents, while the Moscow police watched and then arrested many of the Pride participants.

In Muslim countries, GLBT people are killed, as it is against the law to be homosexual. Being caught having homosexual sex results in public hangings. Where is the official protest from the world?

Our community doesn’t treat our GLBT seniors very nicely or respectfully. I’ve observed this all over, not just in San Diego. Take, for instance, our bar and nightclub scene. Many of our GLBT seniors are ignored and served last, and people will not even engage them in friendly conversation! To me, this is crazy because we’re all going to get old. As for me, I’m a little lucky because I’ve been here so long and am so notorious that I’m treated nicely. But other seniors aren’t. What does it take just to smile or say hello or have a conversation? Let’s treat all seniors better. Thank you.

Come on now, all those recent attacks on our local San Diego gay rodeo are ridiculous. Aren’t there bigger priorities, like full GLBT civil rights? Rodeos have been in America and in other countries for centuries. The animals are treated well and are loved by many rodeo participants. There are now gay rodeos across the country, including San Diego, that raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities.

I remember that I was attacked when I stated that I love and attend bullfights in Mexico. Well, it’s part of my culture!

The 35th annual Imperial Court Coronation and election of our next emperor and empress has been set for Saturday, Aug. 5. Tickets will be $35 general and $50 VIP. This has been a most interesting reign, and I’ll leave it at that. But there are some exciting candidates for this year’s election. We will be hosting visiting courts from all over the U.S.A., Mexico and Canada, and you’re all invited. The good news is that the event will end at 10:00 p.m. sharp! Interested candidates or those wanting tickets should phone (858) 300-5805.

Save the date on your calendar: Saturday, Nov. 18 is the Asian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project’s (APICAP) gala dinner and celebration, with this year’s theme being “A Celebration of Hope, Service and Compassion.” This event will take place at the beautiful Westin Horton Plaza hotel, with tickets priced at $150. The event’s honorary chairs are San Diego’s premier and most respected Asian leaders, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Fat.

The last APICAP gala was such an exciting and huge hit with such unbelievable entertainment that everyone is already excited about this year’s event. For more information, phone APICAP at (619) 229-2822.

The world famous superstar Chi Chi LaRue will be a special guest DJ at Bacchus House on Thursday, June 15, from 10:00 p.m. on. The It’s Raining Men wet underwear contest begins at 11:00 p.m. with the fabulous and witty Coco LaChine (win $150) and a special guest star, the very butch Rascal Video exclusive Tyler Riggs. It all happens on June 15. For more information, phone (619) 299-2032.

Tired of the impersonal feel of beds from IKEA, etc.? Would you like a bed that’s custom-made to your specifications? Of course you do, you demanding diva! Well, you’re in luck. The English Bed Company is here to save the day! Call John at (619) 200-5293 or jonsly@cox.net.