This summer, after all the barbecues and the partying, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the freedom that we enjoy and make sure that, come November, we exercise our right and responsibility to vote.

I received a call from the boyfriend in Iraq, and am terrified for his safety. This is his third tour and he’s due back sometime in September. He shared with me the grim stories of watching his buddies get shot and maimed, and said every minute of every day their lives are on the line. I hope and pray he and his men will all come home safely. Which is why it pisses me off that Congress spends all this time on flag-burning issues – not that those issues aren’t important, but they have cut back on military and veteran’s benefits. Oh, and they gave themselves a raise. Congress spends so much time trying to divide our country with the same-sex marriage issue, but doesn’t take care of the poor and the elderly. I can go on and on. So, come November, let our vote be our voice.

Boo hoo hoo! I feel so bad for Star Jones that she got canned, but only for a second. Good riddance, I say! She looks like a drag queen on a bad day with over-highlighted eye shadow. And if Payless thinks America is stupid enough to actually believe Star wears their shoes, then I’m Miss America. I think she is an arrogant, social-climbing wannabe who has dug her own sinkhole. And if she wants us to believe, as she tells Larry King, that the sponsors of her wedding did not expect endorsements, then she’s on cloud nine. How tacky is that?

What’s next for Star? Well, she can be a guest on “The Surreal Life,” and maybe have a mud-wrestling match with Omarosa. My money is on Omarosa.

Tuesday nights are typically slow dining nights for restaurants, so many restaurants have specials on this night.

Martinis Above Fourth offers half price on a slew of appetizers, like their delicious Asian Spring Rolls and their Quesadilla. Of course, wash this down with more than 75 specialty martinis.

California Cuisine, one of the best restaurants in town, also serves up a Tuesday special. For $19.99, you get a simple salad, a choice of selected entrées and a chef’s dessert. With the weather this nice, you can even sit out in the patio. What a great deal.

Another great deal in town is the lobster special at Sambuca. For only $19.50, you get a lobster tail and succulent shrimp in a creamy curry-based sauce over linguini. And Wednesday night is half price on all their pasta dishes.

Both Olè Madrid and The Boathouse have lobster and prime rib (my two most favorite food groups) special nights. Oh, and I’ll have a Diet Coke with that!

Drag in San Diego is not what it used to be – the days of the Dreamgirls and The Brass Rail. Today, there are very few regularly scheduled drags shows in town. Of course, Tootie and the LIPS girls continue to wow their mostly straight audience on a nightly basis. (I heard they will be moving to a new location on El Cajon Boulevard later this year. Franceska hosts the very successful Latin nights at Bacchus House on Wednesdays and Sundays. Kickers has their own Latin night on Monday, and then there are some of us who host game shows, Bingo and wet underwear contest. And now the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are bringing their own fresh brand of edgy drag to San Diego.

I have been up in Los Angeles for the past few days, and drag is alive and well in the City of Angels. Chad Michaels and the Dreamgirls is an institution at Rage every Tuesday night. But there is a brand new drag night called “Show Girls” every Monday night at Mickey’s. The very irreverent potty mouth Jackie Beat hosts the show that is drawing a large audience. Jackie is a quick, witty host who has great one-liners, and who is nasty, vulgar, totally funny and great with the audience all at the same time. And she sings live – mostly parody songs that she writes like “Poo on Me Later,” which is set to the tune of “Smooth Operator.” She has recorded a CD of her original twisted songs, and she DJs at different L.A. clubs like Chi Chi LaRue’s Fubar. There is also the drag show at Club 7969, formerly known as Peanuts and located on Santa Monica Blvd., every Friday and Monday night. Since the closing of Queen Mary (in the valley) more than a year ago, Club 7969 is one of the few T-bars left in Los Angeles. The other tranny bar is The Lodge on Lankershim Boulevard.

In San Diego, The Brass Rail used to be the place for drag queens to hang out. Now, SRO Lounge on lower Fifth Avenue draws a regular crowd that consists of a broad spectrum of trans-girls.

Also in Los Angeles, the 2006 Queen USA Pageant is slated for Sunday, Aug. 20, at Circus Disco, located at 6655 Santa Monica Blvd. Presented by the Imperial Court of Los Angeles/Hollywood, this pageant is a really fun and glittery event with beautiful, ahem, ladies from California. It is a little less serious than the Miss Gay America or the Miss Gay Continental contests, but this is a very entertaining pageant, and there will be contestants from the San Diego area. Furthermore, proceeds will benefit the Nicole M. Ramirez Student Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the Imperial Court of Los Angeles. For information or to join the contest, call Karina at (213) 999-0456.

Bacchus House has been bringing porn guys to San Diego to spice up our lives, especially those of us who might otherwise stay home and knit. In recent months, big-name porn puppies such as Falcon exclusive Roman Heart, All Worlds Video exclusive Kevin Brown and Rascal exclusive Tyler Riggz have appeared at Bacchus House. In celebration of San Diego Pride, Bacchus House is bringing in Falcon exclusive Derrick Vinyard. Derrick is a very sweet, beefy hunk who bottomed for the first time on video in Falcon’s new release From Top to Bottom. Derrick also stars in All Worlds Video’s new fall release, Fucking with the Stars, a spoof of TV’s “Dancing with the Stars.” So come join me on Thursday, July 27, as we celebrate Pride at the It’s Raining Men wet underwear contest. And those of you who want to win $250 in cash and prizes should just come on down and have fun with me.

Of course, the biggest party of the year is San Diego Pride, and we will be celebrating in a big way. With the youth issue squared away (with much credit to the Pride staff and board), let us turn out in force and show our support. Let’s also enjoy the celebration, of course. This year, there will be more entertainment stages, with headliners like Deborah Gibson and Tiffany. In fact, there is a “space” for just about every group in our rainbow community; it’s like having your own room at home. Make sure you come say hello to Nicole and me as we play host to the marchers who will sashay by the main viewing stand on University and Richmond. Blow kisses to my sister Babette Schwartz as she waits for you at Sixth and Pennsylvania. No doubt you all will be partying all weekend long, so my only plea is that you leave “Tina” behind. She’s just not cool anymore. And, as I always say, keep the rainbow spandex shorts in the closet where they belong. Pick up the Pride Pullout Guide or the Pride issues of Gay & Lesbian Times and Rocket magazine for Pride weekend details.

Coronation XXXV is the weekend after Pride. Royalty from all over North America will descend on our fair city to help us celebrate 35 years of the Imperial court de San Diego’s noble deeds. The short, formal ceremonies and coronation of the new monarchs will take place at The Center on Saturday, Aug. 5. Robi Cox and Daddy Don are running for emperor, while Justice Page-Counce and Norma(n) are running for Empress. The night before, there will be a drag show featuring out-of-town performers. For more info, call (619) 741-1042.