The 2006 general election is now only about a month away. Monday, Oct. 9, will be the first day absentee ballots will be available. Monday, Oct. 23, will be the last day for you to register to vote. This is probably one of the most important elections for our nation and, yes, for our community. Who will control the Senate, Congress and our future – the right-wing fanatics or progressive moderates? It’s all in your hands, so please register to vote today!

The response to my last column has truly been overwhelming. From friends, foes and public officials to countless complete strangers, you have all touched my heart and given me more strength. I must again acknowledge Delores Jacobs and The Center for arranging my depression counseling. Also these “guardian angels,” who, without their friendship and support, I would never have made it: Tom Felkner, Bob Lehman, Rick Ford, Big Mike, Gene, Jess San Roque, Carl Moccafiche and Bruce Abrams. I also must thank my legal “dream team,” who have assisted in my evacuation from my last residence due to the potential of spores and mold: attorney Rick Kerman, attorney Dale Manicon and attorney Bruce Abrams. From those who have stopped me on the streets to those close around me, God bless you.

With publisher/businessperson and proud father Michael Portantino officially dropping out of the race (he and his partner are planning to adopt again in the near future), this makes City Commissioner Todd Gloria the clear solid front runner from our community at this time. San Diego Democratic Club president Stephen Whitburn is still in it to win and is giving Todd a race with his growing endorsement list. July 2007 is the month candidates can start raising campaign funds. I am aware of a gay Republican official who is considering running and a straight deputy district attorney (woman, Democrat and pro-gay) who is also considering, among others. 2008 is a ways off and anything can change and happen.

The letters, comments and discussions on our Councilmember Toni Atkins are creating, at times, an ugly atmosphere in our community. Let’s continue to agree to disagree on this somewhat ongoing debate on Atkins, the Kroll report, condo conversions, etc. like ladies and gentlemen. There is no need for ugly, negative attacks, nor will my fellow Third District constituents support a “recall campaign” or Toni stepping down.

For almost seven years, Councilmember Atkins has been one of the hardest working and dedicated members of our City Council. She led our city as mayor during one of its darkest hours. She has been a fighter for those without a voice, and I choose to look at her entire public record and decades of service to our community and city. Yes, I have disagreed on issues with her, but I have never and will never doubt her honesty, hard work ethic, dedication and love for her community, district and city. Toni Atkins has always been a “public servant,” not a politician.

I’m off to San Francisco Sept. 28 to fulfill a longtime commitment to be an official host of the San Francisco GLBT History Society’s annual gala with sport legend Billie Jean King and ex-NFL football player Esera Tuaolo as special guests. Supervisor (and future mayor) Bevan Dufty will, as usual, be hanging out, as he is one of my longtime “sons.” Sadly, I will be spending less than 48 hours in San Francisco, and my trip is filled with meetings with elected officials and GLBT leaders. I’ll be back tomorrow on Sept. 29. I am very happy that Frank Noblete from the board of the San Diego Historical Society will be my guest at this event – a San Diego Historical Society gala is being looked at for 2007.

Recently, I was very honored and touched to be asked to be the first guest speaker at The Center’s Youth Housing Project. You, the San Diego GLBT community, friends and supporters, should be very proud of the Youth Housing Project and its dedicated staff. I spoke to the youth living at the housing project, many of whom have been rejected by their families and were homeless, and some are getting help for their drug problems. I talked to them about life and about always getting back up after being knocked down – that anyone can change their life around.

I met some great youth and had private conversations with some who requested it. I am so proud of these young members of our community who come from every kind of background. I have added them, as well as the staff, to my prayer list. We all owe so much to our Center for providing a home for our GLBT youth. Please continue to support and make financial contributions to this project, which is saving lives every day. Thank you.

Lei Lounge was recently the site for a most successful and wonderful AIDS benefit for Africa. DIG (Development in Gardening) was the recipient of more than $20,000 raised on a hot Saturday afternoon. Organized and hosted by Michael Mack of Lei, Big Mike of Bourbon Street and Jersey of the Inn at the Park, it was a great event with a big crowd in attendance.

I was honored to have been asked to emcee this benefit and to be the guest auctioneer. I want to personally say thank you to everyone who bid on every item I auctioned off. You are all fabulous and made my job much easier. But the true “heroes” – the man and the woman of the hour – were DIG founders Steve Bolinger and Sarah Koch. The two were also honored by Congressmember Susan Davis, state Senator Christine Kehoe and City Councilmember Toni Atkins for their years of AIDS work in Africa.

DIG plants gardens of vegetables, etc. for AIDS orphanages and hospitals. We were all touched and honored to be a part of this most beautiful event. Thank you, Steve, Sarah and DIG.

This past Sunday found me aboard a beautiful yacht for a fun ride out to sea benefiting our community’s San Diego Human Dignity Foundation. The food was outstanding, the staff super friendly and the cruise on this huge yacht a fun one. A special thank you must go out to Scott Rockman of Harbor Excursions. SDHDF’s hard-working executive director, David Pierce, did an outstanding job, and the very beautiful Laura Mustari (board president) should also be saluted. But while some people enjoyed three hours out, some of us think two hours would have been better. At any rate, we all had a great time and it was a day to remind all of us what a beautiful city we live in.

This is my fourth time moving into Hillcrest in more than 40 years of living in San Diego. I love being back, but I, too, am concerned about the future of Hillcrest. While I respect, commend and understand the local grassroots organization Save Hillcrest, I am also concerned about Fifth Avenue and the area becoming a growing second-hand clothing store center of the world (and, trust me, I love to shop at these stores, especially my favorite, Buffalo Exchange). Somehow we must come to a balance when it comes to the future growth of Hillcrest; we must not go to any extremes on either side of this condo issue. There must be a happy medium.

A happy new year to all my Jewish brothers and sisters!

Don’t miss the fabulous fifth annual Turnabout, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Bacchus House, an event where you get to see your favorite bar staff in drag! Showtime is 9:30 p.m., and DJ Jon Williams will spin. This is a benefit for The Center, and one you’ll be glad you attended!

Pleasures & Treasures, an art gallery and erotic leather shop owned by Bill Freyer and Tim Melodick, is now featuring the erotic works of Jim Hennum in a not-to-be-missed photography exhibit. Hennum’s art is on display through Oct. 14, but meet him at his artist reception Monday, Oct. 2, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Pleasures & Treasures, located at 2228 University Ave.