San Diego Pride 2006 is just around the corner, so get your festival tickets today. Sgt. Bob Lehman, Coco LaChine and I will be your emcees on the parade’s main stage!

Once again, Mayor Jerry Sanders has taken a strong stand for the public good. Former Mayor Dick Murphy’s strong stand against the needle-exchange program stopped it, and now Mayor Sanders is trying to reinstate this important program to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C in our city.

The program is privately funded, and also offers education and outreach to participants.

Studies have shown that needle-exchange programs help to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, and many archconservative right-wingers who don’t get that this is a health issue have attacked our mayor.

Let’s thank Mayor Sanders for standing firm and doing the right thing.

The new proposed 301 University project in Hillcrest deserves our full support. The tentative design consists of a 12-story building that will include 96 residences, as well as eight units of affordable housing.

This project will include 122 badly needed underground public parking spaces that will support local businesses and area residents. The bottom floor will include 12,000 square feet of retail space.

The 301 University project is also expected to generate a community benefit of $7.8 million! As Warren Simon, the very respected executive director of the Hillcrest Association, stated, “When people come to Hillcrest, they don’t worry about how high the buildings are, but where they can park.”

Mr. San Diego himself, yes, the two-time Tony Award-winning Jack O’Brien, recently celebrated his 25th anniversary as the Old Globe’s artistic director.

A legend in the arts, Jack has become the toast from coast to coast, and is a proud member of our community. He was honored years ago with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts at the Nicky Awards (San Diego’s gay Academy Awards). That was a wonderful night, with Mayor Susan Golding in attendance.

Jack is one of a handful of American directors who have been asked to helm a production at London’s acclaimed National Theatre.

Congratulations, Jack. All of San Diego is proud of you!

Recently, the Gay & Lesbian Times featured a cover story entitled “Celebrating our fag hags,” referring to straight women who have many gay friends, and like hanging around them and going places with them.

The term “fag hag” is very insulting and inappropriate. When is our community going to grow up and drop this offensive term?

I know many straight women who are a part of our community and social scene. They are wonderful and caring individuals whose friendship and support of us deserve a better description… period.

George W. Zander, you either need glasses or are one of the village idiots. I did not “trash talk” Ms. Gloria Johnson.

I’ve known and supported her and many of her causes since the 1970s. I respect that she was the first lesbian inducted into San Diego’s Women’s Hall of Fame. I also respect her years of work and compassion in the field of HIV/AIDS and most of her political activism.

My comments about Gloria were in no way “trash talk.” They were constructive criticism, and I got many responses from community leaders agreeing that Ms. Johnson can get very negative and, yes, mean toward Republicans or those who don’t support her candidates.

Did you know, Mr. Zander, that Gloria was so proud of my comments that she even showed my article to people? And if you don’t know what I’ve done for our community, you obviously just moved into town or just got released from a psychiatric ward.

You, sir, stop misrepresenting my words and column. And, yes, you can now rightfully say that I trash-talked someone – you, idiot!

After dozens of you stated that I reminded you of the character Meryl Streep plays in The Devil Wears Prada, I finally went to see it. And… thanks a lot for the compliment?

Actress Meryl Streep plays the bitch from hell in this outrageous comedy about the editor of a fashion magazine. It’s one of the best and most fun movies out, and Streep deserves some award nominations for her role, as she is fabulous and looks fabulous, too!

As for all of you who are comparing me to her, all I’ve got to say is, “This devil wears Payless!”

The talk of the town is another comedy, which is now playing at the Ken Cinema in Kensington (4061 Adams Ave.). It’s Strangers with Candy, starring the zany Jerri Blank of Comedy Central fame. Jerri plays a 46-year-old ex-convict/junkie/hooker who returns home after 32 years as a runaway and then returns to her high school as a freshman.

Catch this movie and it will put you on a wild roller coaster ride of laughter!

Bud, the “king of beer,” is the official sponsor of the upcoming annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Gay Pride San Diego contest, which will take place on Monday, July 24, at Flicks starting at 8:00 p.m. sharp.

This contest first started in the 1970s and has been a popular event ever since, with winners riding in the Pride parade.

Contestants are now being sought for Mr. (gay men), Miss (impersonators) and Ms. (lesbians). For more information, phone (619) 692-1967.

Another edition of the super-popular HillQuest Urban Guide, a guide to Hillcrest and beyond, is now out and is being snatched up like hot cakes.

It’s the most readable guide ever published that features where to eat and shop, neighborhood history, local trivia, fold-out maps, community events, etc. It has lots of color and really fantastic and interesting material. It keeps getting better and better, and growing every issue.

Congratulations to award-winning businesswomen Ann Garwood and Nancy Moors, who truly love their neighborhood and community.

The new Pix magazine is one of the classiest and most beautiful gay magazines on the West Coast, period! It is flawless, and the eye candy and ads are hot. I love this magazine.

Congratulations to Johnathan Hale and everyone at Pix magazine!

There will be limited seating, especially because there will be so many out-of-town attendees, so get your tickets today for the Imperial Court de San Diego’s Coronation 2006, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 5, at The Center (3909 Centre St.).

Because of the hot and humid weather, the dress code has been amended to include dress shirts, pants, shorts and cocktail dresses. But those who still want to attend in formal wear are welcome to.

Food will be available, and there are four outstanding candidates for emperor and empress. For more information, call (619) 993-8315 or (619) 741-1042.