Many of you have been telling me that you were turned off by this past election because of all the ugly, negative ads. While I agree they were some of the worst ever and resulted in low voter turnout, we in the GLBT community have a lot riding on this upcoming election. We must remain active and register GLBT voters to ensure that pro-GLBT candidates win.

As many of you know, I and many community leaders – and, yes, some elected officials – were not happy with the way the 2005 San Diego LGBT Pride board handled a most controversial issue last year. It almost tore our community apart.

Now, this year, the 2006 Pride board is doing their best to handle a very difficult and delicate issue concerning underage minors attending our Pride festival. How can we forget that last year’s Pride controversy had the entire country and national media focused on San Diego? Don’t you think there may be some follow-up this year?

The Pride board and its executive director have been working with GLBT youth to make sure their Youth Zone is big and everything our youth want it to be.

Our 2006 Pride board consulted legal experts and top law enforcement officials before they came up with this decision regarding underage youth attending our festival. I believe that the 2006 Pride board is doing the best they can with this difficult issue, and though in a perfect world and society this would not be an issue, let us not forget that the media reports every day about “underage minors and adults.” It’s the hot-button issue of the year. Though I don’t like the change, I understand it and support the 2006 Pride board.

I have and will always encourage those GLBT Republicans’ involvement in their party, and their attempts to make the Republican Party more moderate and truly have a “big tent” philosophy that welcomes all into the Republican Party.

We all know that this major change in the California Republican Party will take some time. But if Sen. John McCain is the GOP presidential nominee in 2008, I see some major changes taking place nationally.

While I do sincerely congratulate Ralph Denney for being elected as probably the first openly gay Republican candidate for the 76th Assembly District, there is no reason for our GLBT community not to support and re-elect Assemblymember Lori Saldaña. She has an outstanding record and has absolutely earned our community’s support.

I was in our state capital when Ms. Saldaña was sworn into office on her first day, and she immediately became a co-sponsor of same-sex marriage legislation!

I support Lori Saldaña’s re-election 101 percent and urge every voter in the 76th District to send Ms. Saldaña back to our state capital, where she has become a fighter for all constituents in her district.

As for Mr. Denney, I’m sorry, but this is most certainly not the right candidate for a gay opponent to challenge… period.

This past Tuesday night, I attended a community forum at the police substation on Adams Avenue, where citizens and neighbors living in Normal Heights and City Heights came together to demand action from the police and elected officials concerning the growing gang activity, illegal drug sales, vandalism, graffiti and drive-by shootings.

The room was packed with families and citizens I consider to be brave because they risk personal harassment from these gang thugs.

Councilmember Toni Atkins was, of course, in attendance, along with top officials from the offices of City Attorney Mike Aguirre, Mayor Jerry Sanders, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Supervisor Ron Roberts and Congressmember Susan Davis – an outstanding showing of support and concern from our elected officials.

I happen to live in Normal Heights and have witnessed the growing gang problems and violence.

Many parents in attendance spoke about how concerned they are for the safety of their children and a stray bullet hitting them.

Top police officials were also in attendance, including the head of the police gang unit.

I believe this meeting was most productive and left everyone feeling like finally something will be done about this growing problem.

I thank Councilmember Atkins for her attendance and for taking the lead on this issue, as well as all the elected officials who sent representatives.

One of San Diego’s most respected community leaders, Todd Gloria, has been elected as chair of The Center’s board of directors.

Todd Gloria currently serves as district director for the popular Congressmember Susan Davis. Recently, Todd was also appointed unanimously to the San Diego Housing Commission, which oversees a $224 million annual budget and serves 14,000 families.

City Commissioner Todd Gloria’s election as our Center’s new board chair brings in a new generation of leadership, and we all know he will do an outstanding job.

As many of you know, Todd is also one of the leading candidates for the City Council District 3 seat in 2008.

If you want to attend the annual GLBT Community Tribute Banquet in honor of City Commissioner Bruce Abrams, a longtime community activist and philanthropist, you’d better get your tickets today, as it’s looking to be another sold-out event.

Bruce will be honored Sunday, June 25, aboard the William D. Evans, a majestic Victorian-style paddle wheeler docked at the Bahia Resort Hotel. Tickets are $85 and proceeds will benefit the Ben F. Dillingham Community Grant.

Many VIPs and elected officials will attend, and this is looking to be a great and prideful event for such an outstanding citizen.

To get your tickets or for further information, contact Chris Horton and Mike Zarbo (2006 GLBT Community Tribute Banquet chairs) at (619) 794-2777.

Many of us are very sad that AJ Davis is stepping down from her position as director of public policy for The Center and, yes, our community.

She has been an outstanding and articulate leader, and a bridge-builder to other communities. She has worked tirelessly and gone way beyond the call of duty. Her compassion, commitment and activism have earned her the respect and admiration of all of us.

I’ve grown to admire, respect and, yes, love AJ Davis, and I wish her and her lover the best as they move out of state.

Thank you, AJ, and God bless you.

San Diego Pride is doing an outstanding salute as our community continues to fight for full equality and, yes, marriage equality. Pride will be honoring a gay couple and a lesbian couple who have been together for more than 50 years!

I am very proud to have nominated the male couple, Ken Britt and Ken Gardner, who recently celebrated their 57th anniversary of being together! These two gentlemen are such outstanding role models for all of us, and are so nice and kind to all people.

Yes, 57 years together and still going strong.

I thank Pride 2006 for deciding to honor two inspirational couples in our parade this year, while we fight for marriage equality.

Congratulations on this honor to Ken and Ken, and I will let you know about the lesbian couple when I get the information.

San Diego’s annual Coronation and election of our next emperor and empress will take place this year on Saturday, Aug. 5, at The Center, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. There are five candidates running for these positions and, yes, this is the first time the event has not been held in a ballroom.

But, in truth, this year’s reign has been a most controversial and difficult one. Not every emperor and empress can be outstanding, and this year’s reign in all reality has not been supported by court members.

Many of you have been asking me a lot of questions about this year’s court, and while I will not sugarcoat the current court, I will not go into full details or give personal opinions on its un-productivity.

Tickets for this year’s Coronation are $50 VIP and $35 general. For more information, phone (858) 300-5805.

Against all advice, I attended a GLBT national board meeting that took place in hot and humid Reno, Nev., at the Hilton Hotel by the airport.

I felt I had to keep my commitment to not only attend the meeting but also chair it. I also committed to giving the invocation. Yes, you read that right, the invocation at a charity event held at the Reno convention center before more than 1,000 GLBT community members and allies. I must admit that this is the first time in my decades of activism that I’ve been asked to give an invocation at an event.

I didn’t really gamble because I didn’t have the money, and I tried to rest as much as I could.

The GLBT community of Reno is a very strong and visible one, and I admire their courage and activism in this truly right-wing state.

When I arrived back in San Diego, little did I know how dehydrated I was. Soon I was burning up and feeling very weak. Thank goodness for Todd Kaufman and Boy Mike, who stayed up watching over me ’til about 5:30 a.m. when my fever broke after gallons of Gatorade, potassium pills and wet towels.

It seems the heat this year is causing problems, and after commitments in states like hot Arizona and Nevada, I have learned my lesson and will not be accepting any more speaking engagements in hot states.