The late Rev. Jerry Falwell is probably having a long discussion with Jesus right now, trying to explain all his hate, judgment and condemnation for his GLBT Christian brothers and sisters. Sadly, it seems most Christian churches and many of its leaders have left the true meaning of Christianity behind – for we are all God’s children.

Once again, some Pride boards in California are refusing to run Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s annual Pride proclamation. Still, some Pride boards are running the governor’s letter, but chastising him about the same-sex marriage issue.

First, former President Clinton also took a stand against same-sex marriage, as did former California Gov. Gray Davis, and Pride printed both their proclamations without comment. This is a double standard at its best. Schwarzenegger has signed pro-GLBT equality legislation, including legislation brought forth by our own Sen. Christine Kehoe. I didn’t always agree with Clinton and Davis, and I don’t agree with our current governor on all the issues, but I feel Schwarzenegger has been a good governor. I salute him for not only trying to bring all Californians together, but for trying to take the Republican Party from the right to the center. Just as I tired of attacks on Chief of Staff Susan Kennedy from Democratic officials, I now tire of attacks on the governor from some GLBT leaders and publications. Kennedy is doing an outstanding job and is a role model for our GLBT community, period. And Schwarzenegger’s Pride letter was meant for all GLBT people in California. No Pride board has the right to refuse to run it. No Pride board speaks for all of us.

I spent five beautiful, but hardworking, days in our nation’s capital last week, performing my duties as part of the national board of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF).

I stayed at the beautiful St. Gregory Luxury Hotel and Suites, which I highly recommend. I was there when Congress passed the hate crimes bill, and I also discussed proposed “anti-bullying” federal legislation that would protect our GLBT youth and students. Yes, I had discussions with some national leaders about another proposed national GLBT march on Washington. However, many are clearly divided on this issue.

A friend of mine, who is with the German Embassy, invited me to a celebration of Johannes Brahms’ birthday at the embassy, but sadly I was leaving the day before the event.

My days in Washington, D.C., were filled with many meetings, and I found myself tiring quickly. This old queen needs to pace herself more!

I attended the NGLTF’s annual D.C. Leadership Awards, which honored Service Employees International Union (SEIU) at the Omni Sheraton Hotel. In attendance was Lane Hudson, the ex-page who brought down former Congressmember Mark Foley. By the way, former San Diegan, Russell Roybal, has most certainly made a name for himself not only in Washington, D.C., but nationally. We should all feel proud of him.

As for those crazy letter writers, in my discussions with City Attorney Mike Aguirre, he has confirmed that there are no “raids” being planned for our baths and bars. So cool your jets all you conspiracy nuts!

Mayor Jerry Sanders has announced some members of a GLBT community among his upcoming appointments to city boards and the commission.

Word is that political power heavyweights Robert Gleason and Kevin Tilden have endorsed Todd Gloria for City Council.

By the way, a respected member of our community and an outstanding citizen Tom Hebrank has been elected chair of our city’s controversial pension board. Best of luck, Tom!

On the subject of outstanding citizens of San Diego, it looks like Laurie Black, who is respected across the state and in our national capital, will be getting her well-deserved appointment to the port commission next month. Great news!

Last week, I, along with Tom Felkner, Bob Lehman and banker Gene H., had lunch with District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis at Bertrand at Mr. A’s. Bonnie was in a good mood, as our liberal, Democratic State Attorney Jerry Brown upheld all of her rulings regarding police shootings as justified.

By the way, Dumanis continues to give no comment on many of her supporters wanting her to run for state attorney general or mayor in 2012. I had a nice chat with my longtime friend San Francisco County Supervisor Tom Ammiano, who will possibly become a state assemblymember next year.

Sherman Mendoza, of the Caliph, and I were in Palm Springs not long ago for the NGLTF Leadership Council reception at the beautiful home of Elliot Sernel.

Cathedral City Councilmember Greg Pettis told me he plans to win a state assembly seat in 2008.

Keep your eyes on young, handsome and very bright Councilmember Evan Low of the City of Campbell. I predict a future congressmember here, as he has what it takes to make it all the way.

I attended a reception for the new GLBT Latino HONOR Political Action Committee (HONOR PAC), which is now in Los Angeles, and will be expanding to San Diego soon.

Congratulations to my longtime buddy John Duran, the new mayor of West Hollywood. I attended part of the State Democratic Convention and I was invited to a private reception with Sen. Hillary Clinton (whom I have endorsed) and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. By the way, Hillary’s campaign manager is one beautiful, bright Latina named Patti Solis Doyle, and I know she will help Hillary all the way.

Plans are still being made to hopefully bring sports legend Billie Jean King to San Diego for an NGLTF and San Diego Historic Society gala. I’ll keep you posted.

Congratulations to Jess Durfee and Gloria Johnson, the newly elected chair and vice chair of the Democratic Party’s State LGBT Caucus. Word from my friends in San Francisco is that state Assemblymember Mark Leno may be challenging incumbent state Sen. Carol Midgen in the upcoming Democratic primary. Fasten your seatbelts!

The annual San Diego GLBT Community Tribute is coming up on Sunday, June 24, at the beautiful Westin Hotel at Horton Plaza. This year’s honoree is longtime community activist and respected attorney Rick Kerman. Kerman is past chair of the prestigious Civil Service Commission of San Diego.

Rick has a long history of pro bono work for numerous GLBT, AIDS and recovery organizations. During those early, dark years of AIDS, Rick served as a respected treasurer of the AIDS Assistance Fund and volunteered at The Center with a legal group to assist people living and, yes, then dying, of AIDS.

A very modest man, Rick has done much behind the scenes for our community and also has adopted two wonderful little boys. So save the date, June 24, and say “thank you” to one of our outstanding citizens. For more information, call 619-692-7967 or 619-993-8315.

Don’t you just love shopping at IKEA? It has just about everything you need for your home. Once again, IKEA has an ad with a coupon in this week’s issue for $25 off any purchase of $100 or more. Hurry on down and save yourself some dough!