Babycakes Balboa Park employee Jay Stanley works at the new location. (Photo by Daniel Solomon)

By Margie M. Palmer | GSD Reporter

If you were asked to count the number of people who have never partaken in the decadent delights of Babycakes Hillcrest, you would likely be stumped. Since Babycakes first opened the 3766 Fifth Ave. location in 2009, owners Christopher Stavros and Rafael Del Rio have taken the community by storm.

The café, bar and cupcakery has become so popular, in fact, the duo was approached about launching a second location in North Park. Currently open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Babycakes Balboa Park is located adjacent to the Balboa Tennis Club tennis courts at 2221 Morley Field Dr.

Stavros said the decision to expand to North Park came after receiving a call from the Balboa Tennis Club, adding there have been several restaurants located next to the club in the past. “The Tennis Club came to us a couple months ago to say they were interviewing other companies to move into the space and they wound up choosing us,” he said.

Colleen Clery Ferrel, the Balboa Park Tennis Club director, said they approached Stavros and Del Rio because of their company’s established name in the community. “We interviewed six different companies but [Stavros and Del Rio] really stood out,” Ferrel said. “We’re very confident they’ll do well and we’re excited about this opportunity.”

Stavros said it was not until he got the chance to walk through the property that he saw its potential. “I saw the vision and it made sense,” he said of their decision.

Babycakes Balboa Park is currently open daily, but Stavros said there are many changes taking place over the next several months, including plans for a grand opening event.

“We’re taking baby steps,” Stavros said. “The concept for Babycakes Balboa Park will be a California casual café, with mostly outdoor seating. This will be more of a breakfast and lunch, Panini’s, soups, salads and comfort food place for now.”

Stavros said the restaurant will eventually expand to offer brunch and dinner. “Our hours will be modified once that happens,” he said.

The Balboa Park location will be more focused on entrees as opposed to dessert and cocktails. Church on Sundays at Babycakes Hillcrest has become a popular destination for residents, where cocktails and food are served to a crowded bar starting at 3 p.m. The weekly event began May 2011.

However, for Babycakes Balboa Park, cocktails are not currently offered and a limited selection of cupcakes will be available for purchase.

“In Hillcrest we offer about 25 different cupcakes on any given day but we’ll probably offer six of our most popular ones at Balboa Park,” Stavros said, adding the expansive parking near the new location allows for more convenient access for patrons wishing to pick up a box of cupcakes to-go.

District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria, whose district includes North Park, said he is excited about the expansion.

“When established businesses open new locations, they demonstrate the strength of our local economy and the pull of District Three’s unique neighborhoods,” Gloria said. “Opening a new location will mean more jobs and continued vibrancy of North Park’s business core.”

Stavros said he and Del Rio are excited about the new concept and look forward to having an official grand opening in late May or early June.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis (Courtesy office of Bonnie Dumanis)

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

San Diego District Attorney and 2012 mayoral candidate Bonnie Dumanis said she thinks being the sole female candidate running for mayor gives her an edge heading into the June 5 primary election. “I think it’s really an advantage because I think our approaches [as women] often are different,” she said.

Several female leaders, business owners and professionals recently showed their support of Dumanis in her bid for mayor, including former U.S. Congressmember Lynn Schenk, San Diego County Supervisors Pam Slater-Price and Dianne Jacob, and former Assemblymember Charlene Zettel, among others.

“As a woman, by nature I am collaborative, I bring people together [and] I can multi-task,” Dumanis said. “I think we deescalate things more.” The district attorney said functioning as mayor did not always rely on gender, and that for her, it is about representation, too.

Representing women – and openly gay women – professionally began at Dumanis’s first job as a junior clerk typist in the San Diego County district attorney’s office. “I was working in the office [when I] passed the bar, but I had to work during the day volunteering as a lawyer and then doing my regular job at night before I got hired as a lawyer,” she said.

Dumanis said she is aware the last elected female mayor, Susan Golding, served over 10 years ago, and said San Diego has not seen a woman “in the mayor’s seat” in a long time. At first, Dumanis said people questioned whether she was tough enough, as a woman, to be district attorney. However, she said she does not get that kind of stereotyping any longer.

Dumanis said when she was initially elected district attorney, she was the first woman “at the table with all the chiefs,” and there were fears associated with her being openly gay. “I’m in an area that’s traditionally male, so I’ve broken a lot of glass ceilings and I’ve overcome… a lot of prejudice as well.”

At the March 28 LGBT-District Three mayoral forum held at the LGBT Center, Dumanis said it was harder coming out to her parents as a Republican than it was coming out as a lesbian. Both her parents, Dumanis said, were active in Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and her father would often get frustrated with anti-gay rhetoric in campaigns.

Dumanis and her wife have been together for 15 years, and the district attorney said the pair have “been through a lot of this together.” Married three years ago, Dumanis said her wife has always been supportive of her campaigning.

“She misses me a lot, and I miss her a lot too,” Dumanis said of the time away from her wife for the mayoral campaign. “She was with me when I ran for Superior Court.”

Dumanis received her law degree at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 1976, and served 12 years as deputy district attorney. In 1994, after working as San Diego Superior Court referee, Dumanis was elected judge of the municipal court and served there until elected as San Diego Superior Court judge in 1998. She was elected to her current position as district attorney in 2003.

Endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a national organization aimed at increasing the number of openly LGBT officials elected to office regardless of political party, Dumanis said one of highlights in her career was overseeing adoptions for gay couples. “Those were, of course, always fun. I made it a very big deal,” she said. “It was nice for them to know that I appreciated the struggles that one had to go through to get to the point where they could adopt a child together, especially two men.”

Highlighting her many priorities, Dumanis focuses her mayoral campaign on initiatives she said she would implement if elected mayor. “Number one, we’ve got to get our fiscal house in order,” she said. “Number two, we’ve got to reorganize the city, streamline the process and make it business friendly. When we do that, we will bring jobs here… particularly small business because that’s who employs most of the people in San Diego,” she said.

“We have to have a mindset [and] a change of culture that makes it easy for people that are starting a business to start it, and [for] people that have a business to maintain it or expand it,” Dumanis said. She also said the region was full of “entrepreneurial spirit” and was a hub for technology and science, but lacked available finances to support the industry.

“Venture capital is not as readily available in San Diego,” she said, “so as mayor I’m going to have to go out and talk to venture capitalists to [tell them] why they should invest in San Diego and stay in San Diego.”

Also of concern for the district attorney is making city offices more culturally and ethnically diverse, and Dumanis said the relationship between San Diego and Tijuana is critical in making this happen. “Diversity has always been something that’s been a part of me and about everything I have done,” she said.

“One of the critical components is having a U.S.-Mexico commerce special assistant; somebody that is trained in Mexican law and [is] bilingual to work on those issues because we are all one region,” she said. These issues, Dumanis said, include making importing and exporting easier both for professionals and private citizens. “It’s good for commerce, but we are so much a part of each other’s fabric that we need to work together,” she said.

“We have to make sure that government reflects the people that we serve,” Dumanis said, adding, “It has to be reflected in the city government but it also has to be reflected in the attitude of the leader of this city. That is a critical component, and it’s part of the richness of San Diego.”

Liam Dillon (Courtesy Voice of San Diego)

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

Hosted by the San Diego Democrats for Equality, proponents and opponents of the controversial Comprehensive Pension Reform initiative Proposition B faced off at the Joyce Beers Community Center on April 26. Voice of San Diego’s Liam Dillon moderated the forum, which saw San Diego County Taxpayers Association CEO Lani Lutar speak for the proposition and District Three City Councilmember Todd Gloria speak against it.

The discussion lasted more than an hour and began with Dillon’s historical summary of pension reform in San Diego, which initially lead to pension system underfunding and the appearance of Proposition B. “What [city leaders] decided to do to get the money [for services] was to basically take it from the pension system,” Dillon said, “but to do that… they promised greater benefits in the future.”

Initiating the discussion of Proposition B, Dillon said there are two key points in the ballot measure: moving all new city employees into a 401(k) system instead of defined benefit pensions and implementing a pay freeze for city employees.

“What this does is it attempts to freeze pensionable pay for city employees for the next five years,” Dillon said. “If you pay people less when they’re working, then you pay them less when they retire.”

Lutar used part of her opening statement to point out the pay freeze stipulation does not apply to bonuses rewarded to City employees, which are not included in pensionable salary. “This measure will not do anything to prevent the City from awarding bonuses during that five year period. It just hold the line steady on how the pension calculations will occur during that five year period,” she said.

Pay freezes dominated the discussion, with both Dillon and Gloria saying this aspect of the proposition was not guaranteed. “What California law says is that voters cannot mandate City worker wages at the ballot box,” Dillon said.

“The savings [from Proposition B] come from the salary freeze, and the salary freeze is going to be litigated,” Gloria said. “It has no guarantee… [and] it depends entirely on City Council agreeing to it.”

Lutar responded, saying, “There’s absolutely nothing in the initiative that would stop any Councilmember from supporting bonuses. It’s very clear in the measure. All is does is change the way that the pension is calculated….”

Gloria reiterated how any savings from Proposition B rely solely on pay freezes, saying, “We’ve done five years of no pay increases. This initiative says five more years with no pay increases, for 10 years of no pay increases.” Gloria then called 10 years of no pay increases for city employees unacceptable.

“If the City employees don’t like it, they can go, and if enough of them go, we can contract out the work to some corporation,” Gloria said. “That’s the overall intent, and that’s why you should reject this thing.”

The Councilmember used some of his time to explain what he felt was the over-arching motivation behind Proposition B, at several points calling the measure “ideological” and questioning why proponents want it passed.

“You have to understand the context in which this is occurring,” Gloria said, adding that the Council has reformed city finances in the past few years to have a balanced budget and “fully funded reserves” for the City. Gloria also said the City continually pays the current pension bill on time.

“If our City is no longer in fiscal crisis,” Gloria said, “then you say, ‘Well, what does Prop B do?’ It doesn’t do a thing to address pension debt…. We will continue to have that debt and we will continue to have to pay it off.”

Gloria then said passing the initiative would make city employees’ lives “absolutely miserable” and would “undermine our relationship” with them. “It’s ideological in nature,” he said.

Lutar said the proposition would save money over the next thirty years through retirement reform and ending pension spiking, among others, and that money saved could then be used for “core government services” like road repairs and keeping libraries open.

“It’s not addressing the pension crisis through one solution. It’s comprehensive and we believe it’s what the City needs to get us on the right fiscal track so that, most importantly, we can restore the services that have been so severely downgraded over the years,” she said.

A second issue discussed at the meeting involved Social Security for City employees, a point that was heavy argued. Currently, City employees are not enrolled in Social Security, opting instead to rely on the City’s pension system. “City employees voted to get out of Social Security,” Lutar said, “and there’s nothing in this measure that prevents City employees from going back into Social Security if that’s what they choose to do.”

While Lutar insisted it was “up to the City employee to decide” to re-enter the Social Security system, both Gloria and San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council CEO Lorena Gonzalez, who attended the meeting and spoke up during Lutar’s comments, said they disagreed.

In a separate interview after the meeting, Gonzalez said the Proposition does not give workers the opportunity to opt into Social Security, calling Lutar’s statements “absolutely false.”

“It’s not as if… suddenly new hires are going to have Social Security if they want it,” Gonzalez said. “That still has to be bargained for, and with this City, I guarantee that’s not what they’re going to come out with at the bargaining table…. They could bargain for it, but that doesn’t mean they will get it.”

The meeting ended with the Democrats for Equality voting to not endorse Proposition B. The measure will appear on the June 5 ballot.

Jim Thompkins-MacLaine (Courtesy In aChord)

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

In aChord, a local men’s ensemble chorus, is a small, non-profit arts organization celebrating the positive image of the LGBT community through intimate concerts. The choral group celebrates their 10th anniversary with a spring concert on May 18 at the University Christian Church, 3900 Cleveland Ave. in Hillcrest.

Jim Thompkins-MacLaine, who became the group’s artistic director January 2010, said the group’s 10-year reputation as a “solid choral group” is a tremendous accomplishment. “For a group this small to sustain itself for that long is no easy feat,” he said.

“When I came into the group, I heard a great potential for a really tight choral sound,” Thompkins-MacLaine said. “I brought in new arrangements, and eventually a new sound began to emerge.” Currently, In aChord performs original arrangements by Thompkins-MacLaine.

For Mark Madero, a four-year chorus member, the song’s original arrangements will bring “a few surprises” to the May 18 show, he said.

“I am excited about every song that we are going to be performing since they are all from different eras, but I am especially excited that they all have been arranged and orchestrated just for us,” Madero said.

For the 10th anniversary concert, Thompkins-MacLaine said the group would be performing songs from several different genres, including Jazz, Pop and Show tunes, all accompanied by a 40-piece orchestra. “We have some beautiful ballads and some Jazz and Rock classics,” he said, adding that each of the 12 chorus members will have a solo in the show. Madero said there would be songs from the 1940s and 1950s through to the 1990s.

Madero also said he was excited about the orchestra performing with the group, calling it a privilege. Adding that he also considers singing in the chorus a privilege, he said, “I just want people to remember that we are still here, we are still queer and we are still singing.”

Thompkins-MacLaine said the group continually looks for “fresh faces,” and they hold auditions throughout the year. For more information, including tickets for the May 18 concert at 7 p.m., visit inachord.org or call 619-795-6577.

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

A University of San Diego (USD) alumnus launched a second anti-gay e-mail campaign on Sunday, April 29, in response to the recent drag competition at the University. USD graduate Chuck LiMandri sent the e-mail, calling on USD alumni to hold the University’s administration and faculty “accountable for their actions” regarding the April 11 competition.

Members of PRIDE, USD’s LGBT-inclusive organization, sponsored a series of educational events in April addressing gender identity and gender expression, including the drag show and competition, hosted by local drag performer Tootie Nefertootie.

“USD has continually made a commitment to respect the [USD] community, both students and staff,” said Nicholas Severson, a former PRIDE president and former vice president of student government. “From what current students, staff and alumni said, [the April 11] event was a huge success…. The event went on in peace and I have no doubt that the USD community learned a tremendous amount about the LGBTQ community.”

The April 29 e-mail included a letter from LiMandri, who graduated from USD in 1977. LiMandri sent an original e-mail asking alumni to contact USD President Mary Lyons in objection to the event. LiMandri is also responsible for the website Alumni for a Catholic USD, which he launched prior to the drag event.

Lyons supported the event, and Severson said it sold out “well before” the April 11 date. “Though a minority of students did have a prayer-in, opposing the event, a significant amount of students rallied in support,” Severson said.

“A member of our community called into question our Catholicity because of [USD’s] support of the drag show. Significantly more alumni and current students proved that it is our mission and our calling to support all students, particularly those who are the least represented,” Severson said, adding, “The USD administration, again in support of many alumni, have affirmed the need for a drag show and the work of all diversity initiates at the University.”

In the April 29 letter, LiMandri said he removed his son from USD and called on other alumni to “no longer support the University until it promises to return to its founding principles as a Catholic institution of higher learning.” The letter then outlined five proposals for USD administration to follow in order to regain support.

The proposals included not allowing drag performances or “gay dances” on USD campus; not providing “genderless” facilities on campus, including bathrooms, locker rooms or dorm rooms; and not allowing students to intern or receive course credit for working at “any organization that supports abortion or ‘same-sex marriage.’”

Additionally, the letter’s proposals stated: “At any USD event where there are speakers on the issues of abortion or ‘same-sex marriage,’ USD will ensure that the authentic Catholic position is presented by someone who actually believes it,” and “USD Theology professors will be required to… [pledge] fidelity to the… Catholic Church in their instruction.”

Severson responded, saying, “While I appreciate and respect all of my fellow alumni’s opinions, I am concerned with the five proposals. Not only would such actions violate [State] laws, it would be a huge step backwards. I have no doubt that the University will continue to affirm the dignity of all its community.”

In response to LiMandri’s website, a counter-campaign was launched by USD alumni in support of the April 11 event. Called A USD for Everyone, the web-based campaign encouraged alumni to e-mail and call Lyons and thank the administration for their support.

Co-signers for A USD for Everyone included the current president of the USD Young Alumni Network and District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria, among other alumni. Gloria graduated from USD in 2000.

“The USD community is great about rallying support around causes that mean the most to them,” Severson said. “Whether [it] is about bringing awareness to issues of poverty, immigration or the inclusion of all students, they continue to prove that the dignity of the individual is the most important value. This issue is no different.”

After one day of proceedings in the Equality Nine trial in San Diego County Superior Court, Judge Joan Weber adjourned proceedings until further notice due to the prosecution’s improper dismissal of all openly gay potential jurors from the jury panel. The prosecution team, headed by Dan Rawlins, maintained the case was not about discrimination against LGBT individuals. Judge Weber said Rawlins introduced bias by dismissing all jurors perceived to be a part of the LGBT community during jury selection on Monday, April 30.

The Equality Nine are activists that were arrested at the County Clerk’s office on August 19, 2010, the day the anti-marriage equality amendment, Proposition 8, was rendered unconstitutional by Justice Vaughn Walker. The Nine were among many couples seeking marriage licenses from the County Clerk and were denied access to the Clerk’s office by County Sheriffs.

“Not only were the rights of these people trampled when the County Sheriffs interrupted their legal protest, they were harassed when the City charged them with over-exaggerated crimes [and] then again during trial when their civil rights were violated by the prosecution when they were not allowed a fair jury,” said Rachel Scoma, co-executive director of the San Diego advocacy organization Canvass for a Cause, in a press release.

The Equality Nine are being charged with two misdemeanors each: failure to disperse and interference with the business of a public agency. “It’s shocking, at a time of such budget cuts, that the City Attorney Jan Goldsmith is continuing to press these charges,” said Ann Menasche, a member of San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality (SAME), in a press release. “It’s too costly to play these ego games on the City’s dime. Furthermore, its important that people maintain the freedom to protest peacefully in order to preserve our democracy,” she said.

The upcoming SAME meeting will discuss the next steps on Tuesday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the San Diego LGBT Pride offices, located at 3620 30th St. in North Park.

PRIDE FLAG PROJECT MOVES TO CITY COUNCIL

The Monument Flag Project, spearheaded by the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) did not receive a positive recommendation from the City Planning Commission at their April 26 meeting. The 4 – 2 vote to not recommend the installation of a 65-foot flagpole to permanently fly a rainbow flag was enough to move the project along to City Council. The Council will hear discussion on the project, note the Planning Commission’s vote and make a final decision at their regularly scheduled May 15 meeting. “We have had a thorough and thoughtful discussion in the community and that discussion has continued at the Planning Commission,” said HBA Executive Director Benjamin Nicholls. “They have now rendered their opinion. We look forward to continuing the discussion at the City Council meeting in May. This project is clearly something that the community wants and we’re excited that the project is moving forward.” In the case of the Monument Flag Project, the Planning Commission is a recommendation-only body, with final approval for the project resting on the City Council. Lisa Weir, HBA marketing and communications director, said, “We’re optimistic that Council understand the importance of supporting such a symbolic monument: a flag that stands for universal acceptance, tolerance and inclusion.” Original plans for the project called for construction to begin in June and completed in time for the LGBT Pride Festival in July.

GSDBA OPPOSES PROP B INITIATIVE

The Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) announced on April 26 their opposition to Proposition B, the Comprehensive Pension Reform ballot initiative. “While it is clear that the City’s finances, including the pension plan, need a comprehensive overhaul, review of this initiative finds it would only compound the problem,” stated the GSDBA press release. Proposition B is set for the June 5 ballot. “The potential harm from Proposition B is too great for us to remain on the sidelines,” said Tom Luhnow, CEO of the GSDBA, in the press release. “Our responsibility is serving our more than 850 member businesses, and there is no question after reviewing Proposition B that it is bad for the small businesses we represent and bad for San Diego.” In the announcement, the GSDBA called on all their members, as well as all San Diego voters, to vote no on the proposition, citing potential legal issues should the proposition pass, including a “pending legal challenge by the Public Employee Board, equal protection concerns arising from special exemption for police officers and… whether the measure is constrained to a singe issue as constitutionally required.”

PRIDE ANNOUNCES LATINO ENTERTAINMENT

At the Brass Rail nightclub in Hillcrest, San Diego LGBT Pride, organizers of the annual Pride festival and parade, announced additional performers in the lineup for this upcoming festival. The organization previously announced Natasha Bedingfield and Kelly Rowland as headliners for this year’s festival, taking place July 20 – 22 in Balboa Park and Hillcrest. On Saturday, April 28, LGBT Pride announced the Latino entertainment lineup, which will include Frankie Negron and urban Bachata duo Groupo Xtreme. After years as chart-topping salsa artist, Negron released his first English-language album in 2008, titled “Independence Day.” Negron’s singles include “Adicto A tu Piel” and “No Reply,” written by “American Idol” winner David Cook, Kara Dioguardi and John Fields. This year, Negron returns to his Puerto Rican heritage in his music with the release of the salsa single “Quemare Mi Cama.” Groupo Xtreme is made up of Steven Tejada and Danny Mejia, both of Dominican descent. Formed in 2003, their albums include “Xtreme,” “Haciendo Historia” and “Chapter Dos.”

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ENDORSES DUMANIS

Planned Parenthood San Diego gave 2012 mayoral candidate and current District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis a 100 percent rating. The rating was based on Dumanis’s longtime public support for issues of importance to Planned Parenthood, including a woman’s right to choose, stated a press release. “As the founder and the president of Run Women Run, a pro-choice organization that has endorsed Bonnie Dumanis in the San Diego mayor’s race, we are pleased today that Planned Parenthood has given [Dumanis] a 100 percent choice rating,” said Michelle Burton and Barbara Bray, of Run Women Run, in a joint statement. Dumanis responded, saying, “I’ve been pro-choice my entire life, which sets me apart from the other guys. As the only women in the field of candidates running for Mayor, issues related to a woman’s reproductive rights are close to my heart and I have always been very clear where I stand.”

LGBT ORGANIZATION SPONSORS WORKER’S DAY EVENTS

Local nonprofit Canvass for a Cause (CFAC) co-sponsored a day of events on Tuesday, May 1 for International Worker’s Day. Used as a platform to bring awareness to workers’ rights, CFAC joined a general strike and closed for the day, choosing instead to participate in demonstrations throughout the region. “Queer people are some of the most discriminated people in the workplace,” said Alfie Padilla, CFAC field coordinator. “In 29 states, you can be fired based on sexual orientation, and in 34 states you can be fired for being transgender. We advocate for workers because we are workers and all to often we are treated unfairly in the workplace.” Included in the day’s events were a rally at City College followed by a solidarity march to the Civic Center, both downtown; an education cuts rally at Roosevelt Middle School in Balboa Park; a worker rally at the Civic Center; and a festival in Chicano Park. “We are facing attacks on workers’ rights right here in San Diego and these attacks will absolutely affect LGBT families,” said Rachel Scoma, CFAC co-executive director. “In June, San Diegans will vote on Proposition B… which wrongly leaves the fate of city workers’ retirement in the hands of Wall Street. We also have the highly contested development of a Walmart in Sherman Heights, providing low-wage jobs and no health care for workers. This is not a good future for anyone in San Diego, but it can be stopped if the LGBT movement and the Labor movement join together to fight in solidarity for a better future for all our families.”

TERRY ANGEL MASON TO SPEAK ON HIV VACCINE AWARENESS DAY

Terry Angel Mason, the 2012 spokesperson for Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, was announced as guest speaker for the Neighborhood House Association’s (NHA) HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. The event, taking place at the NHA Social Service Center on May 18 from 1:30 – 3 p.m., honors the community members, health professionals and scientists who are working to find a safe and effective HIV vaccine and educates individuals about the importance of preventative HIV vaccine research. Mason, who is a former client of NHA’s HIV/AIDS program, will address the community about his fight with HIV and AIDS and discuss his book, “They Say that I Am Broken,” which discusses homophobia, hate and inequality. Attendees are asked to RSVP to communityaffairs@neighborhoodhouse.org. NHA is located at 841 41st St. in Mt. Hope.

LAS VEGAS OPENS FIRST DRAG QUEEN BAR AND GAME VENUE

Drink & Drag, the first drag queen-staffed bar and game venue celebrates its official grand opening in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 5. Located on Las Vegas’s historic Fremont Street, Drink & Drag is a new concept from the owner of Krave Nightclub, also located in Las Vegas. The 22,000-square-foot venue will feature 12 bowling lanes, billiards, gaming consoles, interactive gaming chairs and other lounge games. The venue staff will include over 24 full-time drag queens, who will also perform. “We are incredibly proud to share our vision of Drink & Drag with the public,” said Tyler Caiden, general manager. “After witnessing the recent mainstream popularity in Middle America of drag-focused TV shows, like ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ and ‘Drag U,’ we decided it was the right time to offer that real-life experience on Fremont Street.” Drink & Drag is located at 450 Fremont St.

The San Diego Women’s Chorus celebrates their 25th anniversary with their concert “Heart & Harmony” on Friday, May 5 and Saturday May 6. (Courtesy SD Women’s Chorus)

By Kim Rescate and Ana Pines | GSD Reporters

The San Diego Women’s Chorus celebrates their 25th season with their “Heart & Harmony” concert Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. Guest singer Randi Driscoll will make an appearance during the May 5 performance. Driscoll’s single “What Matters” was inspired by the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard and has raised more than $45,000 for the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

As well as “What Matters,” “Heart & Harmony” song selections include the Indigo Girls’s homage to the feminist author in “Virginia Woolf;” the gospel spiritual, “Take Me to the Water;” and Lady Gaga’s anthem to authenticity, “Born This Way.” Other pieces by feminist artists Cris Williamson, Margie Adam, Ferron and Holly Near will be highlighted as well.

“We always ask members to suggest songs,” said Carin Scheinin, president of the Women’s Chorus board, who also sings first alto in the group. “Our artistic director Chris Allen does a lot in finding music [for the chorus]. We chose songs that the chorus [has] sung in the past, songs that are still relevant and challenging [and] songs that spoke to the experiences of women,” Scheinin said.

Scheinin said the group’s guest artist, Driscoll, “is an amazing singer-songwriter,” who is donating her time to the group to sing. “It’s a beautiful piece; it’s a song about hope and love,” Scheinin said.

Community activist Cynthia Lawrence-Wallace established the chorus in 1987, which originally consisted of 14 members who rehearsed in Lawrence-Wallace’s living room. The group has grown since then, with over 70 current members. The group’s mission is to “encourage women’s creativity, celebrate diversity and inspire social action.”

“It has a feminist perspective, it’s queer friendly, it’s lesbian friendly [and] it’s open to all women who identif[y] as women. It’s really empowering,” said Naomi Suskind, who sings first alto and has been a member since January. Cohesion is an important facet to the chorus, Suskind said, adding, “Being together is what creates the music.”

Second alto Lauren Boismeir agreed with Suskind’s sentiment, saying chemistry is built during rehearsals and when one person is missing, the group feels the loss. “We develop bonds,” Boismeir said.

Sherri Ginand, a second soprano, has been in the chorus since 1991. “What I love about [the San Diego Women’s Chorus] is we’re family. We’re sisters. At the end of each rehearsal, we stand in a circle and share our concerns,” she said.

“There are women of all abilities in this chorus,” Boismeir said. “Some women do read music. [For] other women, this is their first experience, so they just know how to listen and just go by memory.” The group rehearses every Sunday at the Mission Hills United Church of Christ, located at 4070 Jackdaw St., the same location as the “Heart & Harmony” performances.

While the chorus’s musical selection has changed over the years, Ginand said, “The message has never changed. Back in the day, it was more folksy type of music, more of the kind of stuff that you would sing in marches,” she said. “Now we’re doing ethnic music [and] pop music. We’ve just become better as musicians.”

Ginand also said the audience has changed, too, with a mix of men and women, as well as families. She said the group might need to move their performances to other venues to accommodate their growth. “We’re getting more response. We’re growing out of our church venue. Pretty soon we’ll be in bigger venues,” she said.

After the “Heart & Harmony” concert, the group will begin rehearsing for the summer Pride season on May 20. The Pride season includes performances at regional Pride festivals, as well as participation in the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses International Festival, on July 7 – 11 in Denver.

For those that have not seen the group perform, Ginand said, “there’s nothing like live music. You can feel the vibrations on your chest [from] the instruments and the voices. It’s the heart.” During intermission, some members of the group will mingle with the audience, Ginand said, which she calls a warm and engaging “family reunion.”

General admission tickets for “Heart & Harmony” are $15 and tickets for children under 12 are free. The May 5 concert is at 7 p.m. and the May 6 concert is at 3 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit sdwc.org or call 619-291-3366.

Imperial Court egg hunt brings LGBT community together

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

On Easter Sunday, April 8, many groups and individuals from the LGBT community came together under the leadership of the Imperial Court de San Diego for the ninth annual Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt. Along with the Imperial Court, The LGBT Center and District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria presented the free event that included an egg hunt, Easter basket giveaway and bicycle raffle.

While many participating families were not from the LGBT community, the event itself was organized and supported by several aspects of the community, including LGBT bar and restaurant owners and the leather and bear communities.

“This is an opportunity to give the children of my council district a nice Easter,” Gloria said. “That’s why it’s remarkable that the LGBT community has put this thing together, not just for the children of same-sex couples, but really [for] the broader community.”

The event, held at the Old Trolley Barn Park on Adams Avenue in University Heights, included food provided by The Center’s Family Matters program. The Easter baskets given away were provided by numerous donors: The Center, the Greater San Diego Rodeo Association, Caliph, the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, San Diego Leather Pride, the Promenade Apartments and Nick Moede of Numbers Nightclub and Rich’s San Diego.

“I think it’s that important,” San Diego City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez said. “A simple little Easter thing speaks loudly of the humanitarian heart of our community. This is our community’s gift. It’s not just the Court.” Ramirez founded the Imperial Court’s Easter egg hunt.

Imperial Court Empress Erika Odessa said there were over 600 baskets donated or purchased this year, and that, while the numbers from year to year grow, the outcome is the same. “It’s really cool to watch the kids open their baskets and for them to come up and say thank you… and for the parents to say, ‘We really appreciate this event,’” he said.

In another element of the day’s celebration, Gloria pulled tickets for the raffle and handed out 15 bicycles donated by San Diego Leather Pride and the leather community.

As Ramirez pointed out, the demographics of attendees has changed since he thought of the event nine years ago. Wanting to do an Easter egg hunt for children of LGBT parents, Ramirez said he worked with resident Linda Childers in setting up the initial Easter day event.

Ramirez said there were approximately 50 children the first year, all of whose parents were from the LGBT community. In subsequent years, including this year, more non-LGBT families began to participate, many from the Latino communities throughout San Diego.

“We do not hide,” Ramirez said. “These people know this is sponsored by the gay and lesbian community. If you look around, you will see it is probably, now, more straight parents with their children. Everyone gets involved.”

Calling the day one of the “best building-bridges events,” Ramirez said it was important for the LGBT community to do this type of outreach. “I bet [for] some of these Latino families it’s the first time they’ve really been in contact [with LGBT people]. They know that the gay community is the one that gives this all out, spends the money for it and donates to it,” he said, referencing the Easter celebration.

Both Ramirez and Gloria explained the political importance the Latino community can have for LGBT rights and causes. “One of the lessons from Prop. 8,” Gloria said, “was we did not do enough outreach to communities of color to have them understand why our equality was important to them. I think we all know coming out is the most powerful thing you can do to change hearts and minds, but this is a powerful way to do it too.”

The importance of the LGBT community coming together to put on the event was reiterated throughout the day. Imperial Court Empress Ajax spoke to the crowd, listing many people responsible for the event. Supporters mentioned included Empress Toby, Chris Plato, Jackie O and Apollonia, the San Diego Eagle, Fred Townson, Firefighters Local Union 145, Sarah Critchlow of the Redwing Bar & Grill, the Lambda Archives board, Bourbon Street Bar & Grille, Big Mike Phillips, San Diego Bears and Lips San Diego, among others.

In the end, though, it was the children that remained the focus. “The thing is, we do this for kids. It doesn’t matter where the baskets come from; it doesn’t matter who brings what,” said Imperial Court Emperor Tom Dickerson. Dickerson played multiple roles that day, including donning a large Easter Bunny costume to take pictures with the children. Emperor Allan Spyere wore a second costume as well.

“We all come together to do something for kids,” Dickerson said. “That’s why we do it.”

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

Over 100 establishments are participationg in this year's event. (Courtesy The Center)

On Thursday, April 26, The LGBT Center hosts their Dining Out for Life San Diego event. Bringing together more than 100 restaurants, bars, coffee houses, food trucks and nightclubs with local participants, the sixth annual event raises money for the organization’s HIV and AIDS services and prevention programs.

The event sees participating establishments donate 25 to 100 percent of proceeds from their sales to The Center. “We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we are receiving from several of San Diego’s finest and most generous restaurants, bars and coffeehouses,” said The Center’s major gifts officer, Christopher Mills, in a press release.

“This year, we are fortunate to have several businesses going above and beyond in their commitment to the success of this event by giving 50 and even 100 percent of the day’s sales on April 26,” Mills said.

Ian Johnson, manager at Martinis Above Fourth, said the restaurant has participated each year and, on the day of the event, everyone plays a vital role. “The night has always been a very successful night because of our dedicated guests who have become part of the Martinis Above Fourth family,” he said.

On top of Martinis donating 25 percent of their sales, Johnson said attendees often donate more money on their own. “The donation envelopes bring in a couple thousand [dollars],” he said, crediting a lot of the extra donations to encouragement from their Dining Out for Life hosts, John Carey and Michael Brierley.

“They have truly been the backbone in getting individuals to make an additional donation,” Johnson said.

The participants at Martinis represent a key part of the event’s success, one that Johnson says comes second nature for the brand and culture at the restaurant. “It’s just who we are,” he said. “Everyone is always enthusiastic about giving back to the community.”

Johnson also said the sentiment comes from everyone on staff, including the owners. Jim Simpson and Doru Tifui purchased Martinis from the previous owners in October 2011. The restaurant is located at 3940 Fourth Ave.

“I can say it helps to have an enthusiastic person who is backing an event. That enthusiasm radiates to the staff and guests,” Johnson said.

Rich Sweeney, owner and executive chef of R Gang Eatery at 3683 Fifth Ave. is another supporter of Dining Out for Life, and has chosen to donate 100 percent of his sales for select items and times to The Center. “We are going over the top by donating 100 percent of our sales for the day to Dining Out for Life,” Sweeeny said in a press release. “Think about how many people’s lives we can touch by doing it. That, alone, is more than worth it.”

Johnson has a personal connection to the HIV and AIDS event, saying this year means more to him than past events because of personal loss. “What motivates me for Dining Out for Life… is the fact I have lost a friend, and have lost four others in a matter of two years [to HIV and AIDS],” he said.

“Everyone has been affected by HIV [and] AIDS in some way,” Johnson said. “HIV [and] AIDS is still affecting peoples lives. I participate to help those living and for the memories of those we’ve lost. That’s a lot of people.”

The excitement of the day is felt everywhere, Johnson said, who is already making his own plans of where to dine.

“No matter if you got to Martinis or another location, the energy is that of people making a difference one bite at a time,” Johnson said. “Laughter and enthusiasm will fill the room at Martinis… with a staff that cares about our community and making a difference.”

For a complete list of participating establishments, visit diningoutforlife.com/sandiego/restaurants.

Ruth Henricks, founder of Special Delivery San Diego (Courtesy Special Delivery)

By Dave Schwab | GSD Reporter

Serving more than 100 free, healthy meals daily to low-income individuals living with HIV, AIDS and other medical conditions, the nonprofit Special Delivery San Diego can trace its origins back 21 years to the humanitarian effort of one Uptown restaurant owner.

Ruth Henricks, owner of The Huddle Restaurant in Mission Hills, shouldered the task of becoming her neighbor’s keeper after seeing her regular customers gradually become increasingly ill. “My customers coming in were getting sicker, thinner and wasting away before my eyes,” Henricks said. “I have a God-given talent to cook. I wanted to be able to somehow help them.”

Henricks did help, by forming the all-volunteer organization Special Delivery next door to her restaurant. The nonprofit is located at 4021 Goldfinch St.

“For the first few years we were feeding people living with AIDS in the immediate neighborhood of Hillcrest and Mission Hills, just keeping up with their nutritional needs [and] making sure we were giving them a good, hot meal – and their dignity – in their last days,” Henricks said.

Once the organization began efficiently assisting people living with HIV and AIDS, Henricks said Special Delivery was able to expand its services to include helping medically homebound and cancer and diabetes patients as well.

“I make sure people get a good foundation of nutrition in their meal,” Henricks said. “People with diabetes [or] with very high cholesterol, we help them [and] turn them around with the diets we do. I feel food is a type of medicine. You are what you eat.”

Henricks said many past Special Delivery families continue to appreciate the extra work she does. Not only did Special Delivery provide meals for their loved ones, she said, but, “we looked in on them every day, checking in [and] asking them, ‘Are you OK? Do you have any needs?’”

A critical link in the human support chain the company keeps is Kelly Connell, Special Delivery’s project coordinator who volunteers over 50 hours a week to serve the LGBT community. Connell, who oversees the operation, said Special Delivery is entirely volunteer run, including drivers who pay all their own expenses.

“We serve roughly 120 people a day, all at one time, making deliveries in the afternoon,” Connell said, adding that thirty-five percent of meals are made for those with dietary needs, such as allergies.

Connell has a deeper connection to the organization, saying he was diagnosed HIV positive several years ago and initially discovered Special Delivery as a client. “It just really touched me here, what they did, and I’m still here,” he said.

“Being a gay man, I though if [HIV] was going to happen, it was going to happen in my 20s but it didn’t happen until I was 48,” Connell said. “I went through some emotional changes and some financial issues and I was told of this place.”

As project coordinator, Connell said the organization helps him maintain perspective. “I can look at the [food] racks right now and see 120 people that are worse off than me,” he said. “So it’s just a blessing to be here and do what I do.”

Calling the organization a mom-and-pop business, Special Delivery volunteer Don Disner said the focus has always been on the people they serve. “It’s personalized service, not bureaucratic. The business really cares about the clients,” Disner said, adding, “Many of the volunteers of the agency have helped for more than 10 years.”

Most importantly, Disner said, Special Delivery gives their clients “a link to the outside world” through the company’s services. Disner is a grant writer for Special Delivery, helping to secure the approximately $200,000 the nonprofit requires annually. Henricks said ninety-one cents of every dollar goes directly to fresh food.

While much of the funds come from Federal grants, keeping the operation fully funded, Disner said, is no easy task. “It’s very difficult,” he said. “It’s pretty much a day at a time, doing research in all different areas: foundations, corporations, family trusts [and] individual donors, as well as special events at the local level.”

Special Delivery hosts an annual fundraising barbecue, which will be held this year on July 21 at Inn At The Park, 525 Spruce St., following the LGBT Pride parade.

Both Disner and Connell said Henricks deserves more credit than she is willing to accept, with Connell calling her a “one-of-a-kind woman.”

“Ruth wakes up at three every morning to get in by five to start everything rolling,” Disner said. “She’s done this every single weekday for 21 years. It’s amazing. She’s a grandmother [and] a great-grandmother. She really is an inspiration.”

Henricks said though her organization has approximately 200 volunteers, they always welcome more. She also said Special Delivery is looking to expand their services, and needs a volunteer with computer and information technology skills. “We need new and better programming to track our clients and their needs.” Interested volunteers can contact the organization at speicaldeliverysandiego.com or by calling 619-297-7373.

Diversionary staff and "The Pride" actors on opening night. (Photo by Ana Pines)

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

Diversionary Theater hosted two special evenings to launch their latest production, “The Pride,” including an opening night party on April 7 and a panel discussion the following week on Friday, April 13. Alexi Kaye Campbell’s play includes a look at elements of LGBT pride in two time periods: the late 1950s and present day. Directed by Glenn Paris, the play stars Francis Gercke, Jessica John, Brian Mackey and Dangerfield Moore.

The panel discussion, “Being Proud: Then and Now” brought together local residents Christopher Mills, major gifts officer of The LGBT Center; Jim Zians, project director of The Edge Research Project & The Fastlane Research Project at University of California, San Diego; and husbands Bill Kelly and Bob Taylor. Kelly and Taylor work with the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, among other philanthropic organizations.

In conjunction with themes from the play, the panel discussion was organized to explore the differences between pride in the 1950s and today, and focused on addressing LGBT seniors’ rights and issues. Moderated by Justen Stevens, Diversionary’s marketing associate, the panel lasted approximately 45 minutes.

“I think the most provocative finding of LGBT seniors today is [their] aloneness in the world still,” Zians said. “That’s true of all seniors, except that they call it the double stigma of being along. There’s ageism and then there is ageism within the LGBT community.”

Of the issues Zians raised, including feelings of aloneness and the lack of support systems currently in place, one of the most pressing for aging members of the LGBT community, Zians said, was retreating back into the closet.

“You’re going to see a play about people in the closet [with ‘The Pride’],” Zians said “and one of the issues for seniors today… is that they may have to go back in the closet again someday, especially if they live in [senior] communities were [they] don’t have a strong relationship with the gay community and gay social services.”

Recognizing the need of social services for seniors, Zians said, “Unless the LGBT community forms these networks with mainstream providers of senior services, the services are not LGBT friendly. It is very important that the LGBT leaders and LGBT infrastructure start working with mainstream providers so that our seniors don’t have to go back into the closet.”

The problem of homophobia in healthcare is universally felt, Kelly said, and health issues do not necessarily apply to seniors only. “You don’t have to be old to have a problem with your health and have… a caregiver,” he said. “Keep those things in mind. We’re in this together, all of us.” Kelly then said the entire community, no matter what age, can learn from each other.

Mills said he agreed, adding that some in the younger generation have no idea of the issues facing the LGBT community, evidenced in a carefree attitude some have regarding HIV transmission. Zians, too, commented on the importance of HIV and AIDS awareness for the entire community, saying that while the younger generation is focused on rights issues like marriage equality, “no one’s talking about the increased rates of HIV infection” in the LGBT community.

Mills did, however, say the younger generation needs attention, too. “I do think,” he said, “that as a gay community we leave our seniors behind, we leave our youth behind [and] we leave our transgender brothers and sisters behind. We could, as a community, do a better job embracing the entire community and standing together.”

The discussion ended with an audience question about how HIV brought the gay male and lesbian communities together, and the resulting cohesiveness between the two today. At the same time recognizing the relationship between the two groups, Zians brought the discussion back to focusing on seniors’ issues.

“I think the solutions towards senior issues in the community will be bringing the men and women together as a cohesive unit to share ideas,” he said. “We’re together because of a political alliance, and that’s not good enough.”

Councilmember Carl DeMaio (Courtesy office of Carl DeMaio)

By Margie M. Palmer | GSD Reporter

San Diego Councilmember Carl DeMaio is one of two Republican candidates vying to become San Diego’s next mayor. During the June 5 primary election, he will square off against three other major candidates: District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, Republican; Congressmember Bob Filner, Democrat; and Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher, Independent. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.

DeMaio recently sat down to answer questions about his Comprehensive Pension Reform (CPR) plan as well as whether he believes his sexual orientation should be a factor in city policy making.

Margie Palmer: We’d first like to congratulate you on your endorsement by the Republican Party of San Diego County. At the same time, you’re facing three other big-name mayoral hopefuls come June. What do you feel most differentiates your campaign from the others?

Carl DeMaio: I don’t see this as a race against any particular individual. I’m running against downtown and government insiders that have taken over city government and gotten sweetheart deals. I’m running against a system that has failed taxpayers. I am the only candidate that has outlined plans on how to reform local government in a way that will benefit local taxpayers and I’m the only one who has put them into action. This is why I left the campaign to qualify the CPR ballot measure.

MP: It wasn’t that long ago that union leaders filed two separate lawsuits in an attempt to keep CPR off the June ballot. Were you surprised at that course of action?

CD: Not at all. I was surprised they used such a desperate tactic to try and deprive reform. Due diligence had been done and the ballot measure had been reviewed by multiple sets of lawyers. We did our homework ahead of time and the law is very clear. I think this is just a pattern of behavior you will continue to see and the next mayor has to be completely committed to vigorously implement CPR once it’s passed.

MP: News outlets were quick to pick up the story about the 80 percent increase in $100,000-plus pensions in the past two years. What has caused this percentage to rise so quickly?

CD: It’s all because of pension spiking. City employees are good at using the system and add and pad all sorts of specialty pay, add on pay promotions and bonus pay to their highest compensation before they retire. The calculations at which pensions are paid out are based on a much higher level of compensation than their base pay. This is specifically addressed in the ballot measure and it ends this type of spiking. Pensions will only be based on base salaries and there will be a diligent capping on pensionable pay.

MP: Do you have projections at what the number of people receiving $100,000-plus pensions might look like in five years?

CD: It’s going to be a heck of a lot smaller. Implemented payouts will drop pretty significantly because we will be constraining high pensionable pay amounts. Each passing year the impact of CPR will become more and more pronounced as pensionable pay amounts are more today. The plans of current retirees can’t be changed. Once a person is retired their pension is set in stone. This is why we need to move quickly. Each passing day more people retire and those payouts cannot be changed under current law. That’s not to say we won’t pursue reforms. CPR will affect current employees and new employees on an ongoing basis.

MP: Some people were astonished to learn the top pensioner takes home more than $300,000 annually. Has your office received calls or e-mails to this issue? How are the labor unions responding to this being highlighted?

CD: There is even one librarian that is taking home $234,000. The unions are saying that these people were management employees; that many are rank and file and that the average pensioner receives far less than that. This is a cherry picked comparison when compared to what they’re earning compared to their last salary. The average city employee who retires at age 67 receives 129 percent of their highest salary for life. It’s indefensible and unsustainable and the unions are using all the smoke and mirrors arguments they can to support the continuance of the current system. All of their arguments in favor are easily refuted based on the actual payout reports. Each year when you confront them with the hard dollars they run away and try to peddle out misinformation. The bottom line is that this is not a sustainable system and no amount of shell games or spin will change that.

MP: Are you concerned a change to the system will impact the ability to hire and recruit city employees?

CD: I’m a businessman. I recognize the importance of offering attractive salaries and benefits to not only recruit, but to retain quality employees. I’m not suggesting we cut arbitrarily. I’m suggesting we make sure that salaries and benefits are no better or worse than they are in the private sector. I believe CPR accomplishes that. I think that current city employees are not happy about reforming the current pension system because their payouts will be lower, but there is benefit to solving this problem now and avoiding the city having to file for bankruptcy. Right now, the city is being held hostage and our goal is to show a fair and equitable reform.

MP: If CPR does not pass, what impacts would that have to the city’s financial status in both the short and long term?

CD: First and foremost it has to pass. It’s more important to me that I’m successful in fixing and reforming the pension system than becoming mayor, although the two are linked hand in hand. If I’m elected, I can hit this from the ground running and I am committed to fully implementing pension reform. I am very pleased to see the level of support we’re seeing in the polls. People from all party backgrounds are stepping forward to help with us in campaigning for CPR.

MP: There are still a number of groups, from both within the LGBT community as well as outside of it, that say your sexual orientation should be, or is, an important element of your campaign. If elected mayor, will your sexual orientation impact decisions you make regarding economic policy, job creation, public safety and infrastructure repair?

CD: I don’t follow that. Isn’t what we’ve been seeking all along is for sexual orientation to not be relevant? My focus has been, and will continue to be, a fiscal reform agenda that will positively impact city finances. Roads need to be repaired. San Diegans are hurting economically. Those are the issues that are driving our campaign. I have made it very clear that I am not running on social issues. My focus is addressing the fiscal crisis and the failure of the city to provide services.

Rendition of proposed flag (Design by Michael Brennan/Urban Green)

The San Diego Planning Commission failed to move forward the Monument Flag project at their April 12 meeting, causing project organizers to return to the Commission on April 26 for a second vote. The project, which would implement the installation of a flagpole and permanent rainbow flag at the intersection of University Avenue and Normal Street in Hillcrest, is scheduled for final consideration at the May 15 City Council meeting. The Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) is overseeing the project.

At the April 12 Planning Commission meeting, HBA Executive Director Benjamin Nicholls addressed concerns some Commission members raised with the project, which included the project’s scale, public safety and the precedence set from approval.

Planning Commissioner Tim Golba said, “It’s easy to be very supportive… [but] you have to look at what happens the next time. Does it open up the potential for flag applications that might not be as accepted as yours, or might be much more controversial than even yours would be.” Golba did not vote to recommend the project.

The Planning Commission is made up of seven appointed community members. Concerning the Monument project, the Commission’s role is to offer recommendation to the City Council only. At the April 12 meeting, there were not enough members present to approve sending the project to the City Council, as a motion passes with a four-vote majority. After discussion, the Planning Commission voted 3-2 to not recommend the project, one vote shy of the needed four, thereby requiring the return to Planning Commission on April 26.

“We look forward to returning to the Planning Commission to present our case as to why the pride flag project is so important,” said HBA board President Nicholas Moede. “The Pride Flag will send a strong signal that Hillcrest stands for diversity and tolerance; we encourage the public to come to the Planning Commission meeting at City Hall on April 26th to support this project.”

CANVASS FOR A CAUSE DELIVERS SIGNATURES TO DROP EQUALITY 9 CHARGES

The nonprofit Canvass for a Cause (CFAC) gathered over 1,000 signatures in one month to show support for the Equality 9. Signers are demanding charges against the nine marriage equality advocates be dropped and the petition was delivered to the County Clerk’s office on Thursday, April 19. CFAC has joined with the San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality (SAME) to push for all charges to be dropped in a case stemming from the denial of marriage licenses for two same-sex couples in August 2010. Following the denial, nine people were arrested for peacefully protesting at the County building. Their case continues, after repeated requests from CFAC and SAME to drop all charges. “Not only is this a question of whether all people will receive equal treatment under the law, but it’s an attack against a person’s freedom of speech and assembly,” said CFAC Field Director Jersey Deutsch. “The fact that nine peaceful protesters, who were asking that LGBT people be afforded the same rights as straight people, were arrested by over 50 police officers in riot gear, is horrifying.” The next court date for the Equality 9 is scheduled for April 30.

USD ALUMNI BAND TOGETHER TO SUPPORT DRAG PERFORMANCE

Members of PRIDE, the LGBT-inclusive organization at University of San Diego (USD), hosted a drag show on April 11 as part of a month-long series on gender identity. The showed initially caused controversy, including the launch of an anti-gay e-mail campaign by one USD alumnus. Chuck LiMandri, who graduated from USD in 1977, launched the web-based campaign, Alumni for a Catholic USD, with an open letter to USD alumni asking them to contact the University’s president, Mary Lyons, to protest the event. “We need your help for a few minutes to stop a grievous injury to the Body of Christ,” the website stated. In response, a second campaign was launched, this one from a group of USD alumni in support of the event. Called A USD for Everyone, the web-based campaign encouraged alumni to e-mail and call Lyons, to thank the administration for their support. Identified as the first drag show for USD, the event included a student drag competition hosted by local drag queen Tootie Nefertootie. Co-signers for A USD for Everyone include the current president of the USD Young Alumni Network, Lauren Crawford; and District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria, among other alumni. Gloria graduated from USD in 2000.

HARVEY MILK STREET TO CITY COUNCIL MAY 8

The San Diego Planning Commission voted to recommend the renaming of Blaine Avenue in Hillcrest to Harvey Milk Street at their April 12 meeting. Members of the Committee to Commemorate Harvey Milk spoke at the meeting and the project passed in a 4 to 1 vote. There was no public opposition to the project voiced at the meeting. Blaine Avenue runs two blocks from The LGBT Center at Centre Street to Cleveland Avenue, parallel to University Avenue. Following the Planning Commission meeting, Councilmember Todd Gloria released a statement about the decision, showing his support and saying the project will now go before the City Council on May 8. “If approved, San Diego will be the first city in the nation to honor Harvey Milk’s contributions and achievements in this way,” Gloria said. Council President Tony Young released a statement of support as well. “Harvey Milk is an important figure in the ongoing struggle for full equality for all Americans,” Young said. “I’m pleased to put Harvey Milk Street on the docket and hope my council colleagues will join me in considering this landmark effort.” Recognizing the efforts to complete the project before celebrating Harvey Milk’s birthday on May 25, Young said, “Councilmember Gloria has worked hard with his constituents and grassroots community leaders to have Harvey Milk Street approved before his birthday. Taking action at the upcoming City Council meeting is critical to achieving that goal.”

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

(l to r) Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker from “Cloudburst” (Courtesy FilmOut)

FilmOut San Diego announced the complete lineup for this year’s LGBT film festival. Beginning May 30, the 14th annual festival will screen 22 short and 16 feature-length films, including four world premieres. The five-day festival will also bring guest filmmakers and actors to San Diego and will honor comedian Del Shores with a Career Achievement Award.

“We try to include a wide range [of films] that will appeal to all LGBT audiences,” said FilmOut Festival Programmer Michael McQuiggan. “This year [we] were trying to secure a lineup that included word premieres, U.S. premiers and West Coast premiers. We succeeded with that expectation; over 20 films are in those categories.”

McQuiggan said FilmOut will present the LGBT community with “a great five-day festival, with over 40 films… that generally will not play theatrically in San Diego.” He calls the films important, relevant and entertaining, and said they are “films that allow our stories to be told.”

Opening the festival is “Cloudburst,” a romantic road-trip movie starring Academy Award-winning actresses Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. Dukakis and Fricker play Stella and Dot, an aging couple who escape from a nursing home in the U.S. in an attempt to get to Canada to legally wed, after Dot is moved to the home by her prudish granddaughter. Stella is left out of the decision, even though the couple have been together for 31 years.

Calling “Cloudburst” a hidden gem and one of the best films of the festival, McQuiggan said Dukakis’s “performance alone is worthy of admission.” Other highlights, McQuiggan said, are the Boys Centerpiece film, “Morgan;” the Girls Centerpiece film, “Three Veils;” and the selection of international films. Countries represented include Turkey, Germany, Sweden and China, among others.

The "Man 2 Man" feature screens June 1. (Courtesy FilmOut)

McQuiggan also said FilmOut was proud to include Carrie Preston’s comedy, “That’s What She Said,” starring Anne Heche, which recently screened at the Sundance Film Festival. Screening June 2, the film is produced by San Diego residents Mark Holmes and James Vasquez. Vasquez recently directed Diversionary Theatre’s “Next Fall” and last year’s “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Old Globe Theatre.

Additional San Diego connections in the festival films include several men from the area interviewed for “Man 2 Man: A Gay Man’s Guide to Finding Love.” Directed by Christopher Hines, the film follows a selection of gay men as they use every possible means necessary – including phone applications, websites and professional matchmakers – in the effort to find themselves long-term relationships. The film screens June 1.

“Additionally, we co-present films with other San Diego film festivals,” McQuiggan said. “The San Diego Latino Film Festival and San Diego Asian Film Festival [have been] on board for over five consecutive years…. We are proud to continue to provide this film festival to our communities and hope that, as a collective, it is appreciated, embraced and supported.” For the LGBT festival, the Latino Film Festival is co-presenting the June 3 Best of Latino Shorts program, and the Asian Film Festival is co-presenting the feature, “Speechless,” also on June 3.

“We are also honoring writer [and] director Del Shores this year with a Career Achievement Award and screening his film ‘Sordid Lives.’” McQuiggan said. “Cast members will be present and the evening will also include a performance preceding the film by Miss Dixie Longate.” Shores’s 2000 film stars Olivia Newton-John, Beau Bridges, Bonnie Bedelia and Delta Burke in a “twisted, white-trash tale” about secrets surfacing at a Southern family funeral. Leslie Jordan also stars in the comedy, as the cross dressing “Brother Boy.” The film screens May 31.

Saying he is looking forward to meeting all the filmmakers and actors who will be attending this year’s festival, McQuiggan also said he expects the May 30 opening night party at North Park’s Claire de Lune Sunset Temple and June 3 closing night party at West Coast Tavern to be a success. Claire de Lune is located at 2906 University Ave. and West Coast Tavern is located at 2895 University Ave.

The entire festival will be held at the Birch North Park Theatre, adjacent to West Coast Tavern, at 2891 University Ave. Tickets for individual films are $10, with special prices for the opening and closing night events. The Del Shores tribute is $20, and a festival pass, which allows attendees into each film as well as parties and tributes, is $125. For ticket information visit filmoutsandiego.com.

FilmOut San Diego LGBT Festival 2012

Wednesday, May 30

7:30 p.m.

Short 1: “Fallen Comrade”

Short 2: “Performance Anxiety”

Opening night feature: “Cloudburst”

Thursday, May 31

6:00 p.m.

Short 1: “ub2”

Feature: “Positive Youth”

7:30 p.m.

Dixie Longate Performance

8:30 p.m.

Short 1: “4 Pounds”

Del Shores Career Achievement Award

Feature: “Sordid Lives”

Friday, June 1

4:00 p.m.

Feature: “Buffering”

5:30 p.m.

Feature: “Man 2 Man”

7:00 p.m.

Girls Centerpiece feature: “Three Veils”

9:15 p.m.

Boys Centerpiece feature: “Morgan”

Saturday, June 2

12:00 p.m. Best of LGBT Shorts

Short 1: “33 Teeth”

Short 2: “Under Pressure”

Short 3: “Gaysian Dream”

Short 4: “Ms. Thing”

Short 5: “Smart Phone”

Short 6: “Poker Face”

Short 7: “Andie”

Short 8: “Clubscene: The Under-Age”

Short 9: “A Fairy Tale”

Short 10: “Hardwood Throughout”

Short 11: “Do You Have A Cat”

Short 12: “Half Share”

2:30 p.m.

Short 1: “Connected”

Feature: “Kiss Me”

4:30 p.m.

Short 1: “Bang Bang”

Feature: “Zenne Dancer”

7:00 p.m.

Short 1: “The Not So Subtle Subtext”

Festival Spotlight feature: “That’s What She Said”

9:30 p.m.

Short 1: “Bugchaser”

Feature: “Endless Possibility of Sky”

Sunday, June 3

12:00 p.m. Best of Latino Shorts: Films of Francisco Lupini

Short 1: “To Suffer Like Fingers That Don’t Bleed”

Short 2: “The Empty Nest”

1:15 p.m.

Feature: “Romeo’s”

3:00 p.m.

Feature: “Speechless”

4:45 p.m.

Feature: “Jamie & Jesse Are Not Together”

6:30 p.m.

Feature: “Men to Kiss”

8:15 p.m.

Closing night feature: “Nate & Margaret”

LGBT inclusive campaign launched in response to hate campaign from USD alumni

By Anthony King | GSD Editor

Members of PRIDE, the LGBT-inclusive organization at University of San Diego (USD), are sponsoring a series of education events in April addressing gender identity and gender expression. One event – a drag show scheduled for Wednesday, April 11 – is causing controversy, including the launch of an anti-gay e-mail campaign by one USD alumnus.

In response, a second campaign has been launched, this one from a group of USD alumni in support of the April 11 event. Called A USD for Everyone, the web-based campaign encourages alumni to e-mail and call the University’s president, Mary Lyons, to thank the administration. “In your communication, tell President Lyons and the USD administration that you are alum [and] that you appreciate what they are trying to do to make USD an inclusive place for every member of the USD community,” the web site states.

Called the first-ever drag show for USD, the April 11 event includes a student drag competition, including lip-sync, runway and question and answer segments. Local drag queen Tootie Nefertootie will be hosting the event, with a guest performer yet to be announced. The event is being held on the University campus, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Co-signers for A USD for Everyone include the current president of the USD Young Alumni Network, Lauren Crawford, and District Three Councilmember Todd Gloria, among other alumni. Gloria graduated from USD in 2000.

“Many of us are alums who have worked together at USD to ensure that our alma mater was an inclusive community. Our jobs didn’t end as students. As alums, we have the responsibility to ensure USD remains a place for everyone,” the web site states.

The A USD for Everyone campaign was started in response to Chuck LiMandri’s campaign, Alumni for a Catholic USD. LiMandri, who graduated from USD in 1977, launched the web-based campaign with an open letter to USD alumni asking them to contact Lyons to protest the event. “We need your help for a few minutes to stop a grievous injury to the Body of Christ,” the web site states.

Calling the event “corrupt and corrupting,” the web site then states, “Only by working together as we have done in the past, as with the successful campaigns to save the Mt. Soledad Cross (Prop. A) and traditional marriage (Prop. 8), can we prevail in redeeming our culture and defending our faith.”

The PRIDE gender identity events in April include a presentation on April 11 by Dr. Lori Watson on the history, role and meaning of drag in United States culture; participation in the national Day of Silence on April 19 and 20 where students pledge to remain silent in an effort to call attention to the silencing effect of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment in schools; as well as a April 4 workshop, titled “Transgender 101: Fostering Allyship.”