So President Bush made it perfectly clear this week that our troops will stay in Iraq during his presidency. What a sad day for our nation when our president refuses to end the killing of our young American soldiers.

The third annual San Diego LGBT Community Wall of Honor ceremony, which took place last Friday at The Center, was a truly beautiful and touching evening for our community. The Center did an outstanding job, as usual, and it was like a mini-Kennedy Center Honors ceremony.

State Senator Christine Kehoe and City Councilmember Toni Atkins’ remarks about each of the seven honorees were inspiring and touching. I was honored to share the stage with them and Center board chair Todd Gloria.

My longtime friend Bridget Wilson, who is also one of my role models, was so deservedly honored. Her beautiful mother and her lifelong partner were also in attendance.

The late Herb King, another role model of mine, was also honored. Stan, his partner of more than 40 years, was there to receive the award.

“Mr. Archives” himself, Doug Moore, a tireless worker, activist and volunteer, was his usual humble self. To me, he is truly “Mr. Pride.”

Patrick McArron, who has dedicated his life to giving GLBT Catholics hope and a home (Dignity), was also honored and attended the ceremony.

The daughter of the late Muriel Fisher accepted Fisher’s honor at the ceremony.

GSDBA founder Ron Umbaugh and Democratic and feminist activist Maria Plasencia were also rightfully honored and recognized for their lifetime achievements.

This is always a most moving ceremony that leaves most of us with tears in our eyes for those who have paved the way for our community. These people truly are pioneers, heroes, trailblazers and role models… God bless them all.

I have long respected and acknowledged Al Best, the first openly gay candidate to run for office in San Diego (at the cost of his job, and he also received death threats). He was also the first elected openly gay chair of the Civil Service Commission of San Diego.

But when I heard that Al Best was seriously going to call a press conference demanding the resignation of Councilmember Toni Atkins and state Senator Christine Kehoe, I was both shocked and disappointed, and very upset.

And, yes, I was one of those who advised against such a “news conference,” and I am grateful that he changed his mind.

In all due respect, Al Best, you are not a judge or a jury to stand in judgment of these two women, who have not been the subjects of any charge or indictment. Al, your rush to judgment is wrong and unfair to these two public officials. Such a news conference would have been a disaster and an embarrassment for our community, coming within 48 hours after the release of the Kroll report.

Let us all be patient and let time work this out, as we all know we have not heard the end of this City Hall controversy.

Our popular Mayor Jerry Sanders actually made history when he attended this year’s Pride parade. He became the first mayor in the history of San Diego to bring his entire family (beautiful wife and children) to ride in our parade. In fact, one of his daughters even drove him in the parade.

Mayor Maureen O’Connor was the first San Diego mayor to march in our parade, but she also did so when she was out of office (now that’s support). Mayor Roger Hedgecock became the first mayor to attend a Pride event (the rally) and issue a proclamation, though it proclaimed “Human Rights Day” and wasn’t a Pride proclamation. O’Connor issued the first Pride proclamation.

Councilmember Frank Tierney of the beautiful city of Coronado has been a longtime neighborhood leader and a hardworking council member for the city of Coronado.

This November, he is up for re-election and he is facing three challengers.

Tierney is a dedicated public servant and deserves re-election. We are all proud that he is a member of our community, and I along with other supporters will be hosting a campaign fund-raiser before November for his re-election.

Councilmember Tierney recently became a co-chair of the League of California Cities GLBTLO Caucus.

Tom Felkner and Bob Lehman (chair of GLBT Vote 2006) were nice enough to take me to Los Angeles for a benefit for the Los Angeles Nicole M. Ramirez Student Scholarship Fund.

We had a great drive up that was full of gossip, and the event was fast-paced, with good food and a lot of money was raised for Los Angeles GLBT students.

I was surprised with a special commendation from the city of West Hollywood and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. A very special thank you to former mayor and current City Councilmember Jeffrey Prang (co-chair of the League of California Cities GLBTLO Caucus). I was so very honored with such recognition.

After I gave my brief remarks, Tom, Bob and I hit the road back to good ol’ San Diego.

All you Latinos and fans head to the lawn outside the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park for “Pachanga de Orgullo,” set for this Saturday, Aug. 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, featuring live entertainment, dancing, food, etc.

It’s for those 21 and older, and a big crowd is expected. Tickets are only $15.

For more information, phone (619) 692-2077 ext. 116 and ask for Carolina Ramos.

The whole town is abuzz because superstar Delta Burke of movie, television and stage fame will be celebrating her 50th birthday at our very own Baja Betty’s on Thursday, Aug. 24, from 10:00 p.m. ’til…?

The casts of Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies will attend, including our favorite comedian/actor, the one and only Leslie Jordan.

So just follow the legion of fans to Baja Betty’s tonight and be prepared to have an outrageous and fun time. There will be a raffle and T-shirts will be sold, all to benefit the recently established Hate Crime Reward Fund.

Yes, you read it right. Every day the ever-popular Lei Lounge raises money for Mama’s Kitchen’s Grocery Hearts AIDS fund, where 100 percent of the money goes to buying food for the pantry.

You’ll notice that Lei Lounge has numerous items on its super-delicious menu that are marked with an AIDS ribbon, and a percentage of the price goes to Grocery Hearts when you order these items.

My personal favorite “red ribbon” items are the mango chicken, the Kobe steak frites and the lobster pad thai.

This is the first time in the history of our community’s restaurants that I’ve heard of a restaurant giving back to a charity every day that its doors are open.

Thank you and bravo to the Weiss brothers and Michael Mack of Lei Lounge.

I just love Logo, the gay channel (Cox Cable channel 341), which just celebrated its one-year anniversary.

It is on 24 hours a day and is full of GLBT series, history, movies, news, sports, etc. There’s something for everyone. I especially love “Noah’s Ark.”

Congratulations, Logo!

That’s right, The Flame will be hosting that all-new women’s/lesbian night Milk this Saturday, Aug. 26, from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and everyone is coming. This should truly be a hip, fun, wild and hot ladies night at The Flame.

For more information, e-mail milkattheflame@yahoo.com.