As I stood sweating in the great hall of The Center last Friday for the rally against hate, I felt chills run up my spine from the renewed spirit of unity and determination of the more than 750 GLBT San Diegans who attended. Later, as I marched along University Avenue, there was a great sense of pride and community that rushed along and made me even more grateful to live in San Diego. If you weren’t there, where were you? I tip my wig to our community leaders and to the city, especially Mayor Sanders, Police Chief Lansdowne and our very own Councilmember Toni Atkins for working together to make sure that our lives are safe.

What a great city we live in. And on that note, it is time for me to say, “Thank you and goodbye.”

As some of you may have heard, I am moving to Los Angeles to join Chi Chi LaRue and Channel 1 Releasing at their offices in West Hollywood. I want to take a few minutes of your time to reminisce, and I hope you’ll indulge me for some moments of reflection.

Ever since I moved to San Diego from New York City almost four years ago, I have been welcomed with open arms by this community, and for that I will be eternally grateful. From my coming-out appearance at the SanDie Awards at the Old Globe Theatre to the main stage of Balboa Park during Pride, you have been kind and warm, and for that I am most humbled.

Thank you to my publisher, Mr. Michael Portantino, for giving me a space to share my thoughts and rants. My editor-in-chief, Russ O’Brien, and my girl Rachel Ralston and the staff of Gay & Lesbian Times, whose encouragement makes my stiletto heels taller. I am not only a columnist; I use the GLT and Rocket magazine as a resource. This is how I found my dentist, Dr. Jeff Keeny, as well as my new best friend and cosmetic guru, Dr. Parvin Mani with the San Diego Cosmetic Laser Center, for my Botox (and with a little help from the best art director in the world, my friend Todd), and Jack Harrison in National City, where I bought my car.

My sincere gratitude to my friend Nicole Murray-Ramirez, the one you may love to hate, for opening many doors and for his friendship. For despite all the faults we find in him, there is a good person inside – deep down inside. Nicole has been both a good friend and a bitter sparring partner in disagreements, but we have shared many good times and struggles. I have paid my dues driving her around the city, shared many meals and have been sent to the condo in Siberia. But at the end of the day, I am blessed to have known Nicole and I value her friendship.

One of the people I will truly miss the most is my friend Rick Ford. Rick gave me an opportunity to come West and enjoy a different way of life here in San Diego. Of course, I have to thank the many volunteers from Camp Pendleton who knock on my door to make sure my needs are fulfilled. Some of you may not agree with his adult business, but having known Rick for so many years, he is truly one of the most kind and generous gentlemen I know. He gives so much back financially to this community that is not often acknowledged. The two of us share an appreciation of good food and a few good men.

Along the way, I have met many wonderful people I admire, like: Julia Legaspi, Ben Dillingham, Big Mike, Robert Gleason, Todd Gloria, Steve Miller and many more who have enriched my life. My Imperial Court family in San Diego adopted me and showed me how much good we can do for our community, especially Emperor Chris and Empress Lala.

I am also immensely impressed and grateful for all the GLBT organizations in San Diego. We are one big family that takes care of each other. Like a big family, we may not always agree, but we must always support each other. We have great organizations like The Center, APICAP (thanks, Jess San Roque), Mama’s Kitchen, San Diego Pride, AIDS Walk and many others. Perhaps we could also use an organization like the Anti-Violence Project, which addresses the needs of victims of domestic violence and hate crimes.

Thank you to Bacchus House, my home bar, where Robi Cox and Greg Scott allow me a platform and a microphone (and you know how some of us get when we’re given a microphone) with the added bonus of hosting, if I may say so myself, the most fun wet underwear contest with hot boys and porn stars. Thank you to the staff, managers Aaron and Allan, and my DJ Ruben Casas. My deep appreciation also to Hubert and Doug of Rufskin Jeans for their generosity and to Martin and Wall. And most of all, to the men who come out week after week to get wet for me.

I’m not a big bar person, since I hardly drink, but I’ve spent many a night at Martinis Above Fourth enjoying their tempura shrimp. I love the boys – Chaz, Dale and Johnny – and all of their hot bartenders and shot boys. They even named a martini in my honor, but then they also named one (the dirty one) after my much older sister Cristina Monet. Cristina has been my best friend in San Diego ever since I moved here; my partner in crime and confidant. I will miss her the most, but now she can have all the boys at SRO.

For a big city, we have so many bars and clubs, and not enough people to support them. I’m not advocating drinking, but the bars give a lot back to our community so let’s stop in once in awhile even for a Coke. I’ve enjoyed Flicks, boy-watching at the bar soon to be formerly known as Hamburger Mary’s and The Brass Rail, where I’ve gotten laid a few times. I’m not big on dancing at my age, but when I get the urge to shake my skinny booty, I go to Rich’s, The Flame and that old faithful Bacchus House with their great light show, guest circuit DJs and afterhours.

One of my guilty pleasures in San Diego is the great restaurants. Because I live a boring life (do you hear the sounds of the violins?) and don’t have many men waiting outside my door, I eat. So my friend Edith and I would go and find new places to try. I personally think that Patrick of Saigon on Fifth is the best Asian chef in town. He also pampers me with off-the-menu home-style food. Fifi at Ono Sushi is the hostess with the mostess, and always treats me like the queen that I am. I would trek downtown to Oceanaire for their great crab cakes, Ortega’s for their fresh guacamole and Mexican fare, Sambuca for their lobster special, the Red Pearl downtown for hip Asian fusion and good ol’ Brians’ for simple comfort food.

No doubt I have left some names and places out due to limited space, so please do not send any hate mail. I’m writing this while taking a break from packing. Lesson learned: Clean out your closet every six months. I truly do not need 27 pairs of Coco shoes and 14 wigs, all styled by the Queen of Hair Maria at Secret Wigs in North Park.

And while I may be moving away to Lala Land, I will be visiting often and will continue to do special shows in town. In fact, I am booked to host the Mr. Gay Contest for Instinct Magazine on Aug. 19, the Freshmen magazine tour in September and the Turnabout show in October, all at Bacchus House. I also plan to be back for The Center’s gala and the APICAP gala. I will also be reporting in to you here at the GLT on a regular basis.

I have found a lovely apartment in West Hollywood, not far from the tranny bar Peanuts and the famous Yukon Mining Company diner. The people at Channel 1 are very nice and good to me, and I’m looking forward to working with them. And if I get lonely, there’s always craigslist. Travis Bone and Candy from All Worlds are taking the trip with me, and together we hope to terrorize the City of Angels.

As this is my last column, I am setting free all of you who I’ve forbidden to wear spandex rainbow shorts. To all of you readers and strangers who would often come up to me and say hello, thank you for your kindness and generosity of spirit. Thank you, San Diego, for welcoming me into your family – this pretty, young, sexy, sweet, vivacious queen is humbled and grateful.

PS. If you read my first column more than three and a half years ago, I’m happy to report that the military has been nice to me as well. Let’s bring them all home.