Famed transsexual, Christine Jorgensen embraced the term transgender in an attempt to distance herself from the sexualization of her life. From Oct. 16, 1979 issue of the Winnipeg Free Press’ article Christine Recalls Life As Boy From The Bronx:

“If you understand trans-genders,” she says, (the word she prefers to transsexuals), “then you understand that gender doesn’t have to do with bed partners, it has to do with identity.”

December 18, 1985, she went further by telling the Regina Leader Post:

“I am a transgender because gender refers to who you are as a human.”

There is a divide among the population of transsexual, transgender and gender nonconforming people over what terminology should be used for trans people; and the divide speaks to why trans civil rights are a much more difficult thing to achieve than one would think it would be. We can’t seem to unite behind a community label in a struggle for ordinary equality.

The word trans people united behind in the 1990s and early 2000s was transgender. There’s even a Transgender Pride flag.

The term transgender, in the diversity model of the 1990s and 2000s, was cast as an umbrella term. Those who fell under the umbrella included transsexual people, crossdressers and genderqueer people. Many also included drag performers and intersex people under the umbrella.

However, the work for trans people’s civil rights has almost exclusively been for the benefit of transsexuals – those who live 24/7 as a member of the binary sex that isn’t usually associated with the genitalia they were born with. This is because visibly trans people are most often the focus of antitrans discrimination. And, lawsuits over trans employment discrimination in the past 20-years have all but once dealt with transsexual people being discriminated against.

The political decision of trans activists in the 1990s to unite behind the umbrella term transgender was related to why Christine Jorgensen preferred the term transgender: they perceived transgender as taking the “sex” out of “transsexual” – an effort to desexualize the sexualized perception of transsexual people.

Sexualized perceptions of trans women are persistent. Back in 2009, the Washington, D.C. Examiner reported:

“[C]ombined traffic from the top 10 adult sites and top 10 dating sites catering exclusively to trans-loving males has risen 350 percent. While some crossover invariably exists, heterosexual male visitors to these 20 Web sites now top 188 million annually. And this figure doesn’t include traffic counts from the additional 300+ transsexual sites already in existence or from new ones being created by mainstream giants like Hustler.”

There are a significant number of transsexual women, as well as women who no longer consider themselves transsexual, identifying themselves with terms such as “women of transsexual history” who don’t want to be associated with the term transgender. They see themselves as not being anything like crossdressers and drag queens, and they see evil in how many genderqueer and transgender identified people want to tear apart the gender binary. These transsexual women instead perceive themselves to be women with a medical condition that requires medical treatment, and that the focus should be on medically treating them. They embrace transsexual as a medicalizing term.

Rejection of the sexualization of transsexual people was what led in part to the embracing of the term transgender by trans women of past years. A re-embracing of the term transsexual by a number of trans women appears to be an embracing of the medicalization of trans people.

Somehow, I’d like to see a noncontroversial trans-related term that rejects both sexualization and medicalization of my peers and my life experience, and embraces my peers and me as whole beings. I’m not holding my breath.

Joseph Rocha and Lori Saldaña

Well, I’ll be out of town for about six days for the Harvey Milk Foundation and a religious pilgrimage.

Will Walters vs. San Diego Pride

I recently read the lawsuit filed in federal court against the City and San Diego LGBT Pride by 30-year-old Will Walters and I’m concerned. First of all, Will is represented by the powerful and successful law firm of Mike Aguirre. San Diego Pride’s attorney is Todd Stevens (partner of popular Judge David Rubin). This is going to cost Pride some money to defend this case and all this could have been avoided if San Diego Pride would have issued an apology to Will.

Will Walters was in a great-looking leather outfit and walked all over the parade route and no police officer said a word. Then, wearing the very same outfit to the festival Will gets harassed and arrested because his leather outfit was now too revealing. The charges against Will Walters were, of course, dropped and San Diego Pride assured him that this incident will never happen again as it seems that Pride security not only overly cooperated with the uptight police officers but “banished” him. While I agree that there should be no “weenies, tits, butts” showing at our Pride events Will’s outfit was in no way lewd. Our Pride festival should especially be a place we can all express ourselves. I don’t think San Diego Pride handled this situation well at all and now, instead of issuing Will Walters a simple, deserved apology, they refused and now have a lawsuit against them. After all, Will Walters was harassed and subjected to some homophobic treatment at the county jail and its high-ranking “commander” personally apologized to Will on behalf of the Sheriff’s Dept. and that’s why they aren’t being sued. San Diego Pride’s refusal to also apologize will cost the organization thousands of dollars to now defend this lawsuit or settle it or lose it. A gamble that San Diego Pride should not have taken. Period.

Five days in the state capitol

I love their new airport. I presented some awards to veterans and GLBT leaders at the West Sacramento City Hall (their mayor is gay). Nice to see city council candidate Steve Hansen and Thelma Harris formerly of San Diego and now with Glaxo Smith Kline. The Waterboy continues to be my favorite restaurant. Yes, when I got back to town I, once again, had to check into the hospital, but I’m doing fine now.

Why Lori Saldaña over Peters

All of San Diego loved the late Junior Seau.

It seems all that Scott Peters and his supporters talk about is that he has lots of personal money to win. This has become the verbal “No. 1” talking point of the Peters campaign. Well, good for him that he, like Romney, is another “Mr. Money Bags,” but this congressional district is a lot about average families and blue collar workers.

Don’t forget that Lori Saldaña won her assembly race against two powerful establishment candidates who both out-spent her. Saldaña is a “bold progressive fighter.” Don’t we have enough rich businessmen in Congress? Let’s send a very qualified woman who can relate to the average struggling American. The choice is very clear. If you really want change in our nation’s capitol: Lori Saldaña for Congress!

About the Rainbow Flag issue

Many of you have been asking me questions and are concerned about the Planning Commission voting down, not once but twice, the Rainbow Flag project. First of all, we should all appreciate the very hard work the Hillcrest Business Association and others have done on this important project and we must continue to support it when it comes before the city council. I do feel that bringing up the huge Rainbow flag in the “Castro” of San Francisco is a mistake. We are San Diego and are “America’s Finest City” and our community stands on its own. I do wish that huge American and Rainbow flags could fly together in Hillcrest in honor of our military personnel and veterans. At any rate, this great project needs all of our support, so let’s get behind the Rainbow Flag project!

F.Y.I.

More than 950 tickets have been sold for the annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast (May 25). There are only a few tables left, so contact The Center today as it will be soon sold out again. Hey all you Latinos and Latino lovers out there, this coming Saturday (May 5) is the 14th annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Show time is 6:30 p.m. Your host: Carlos Silva. Video stars Brent Everett and husband Steve Pena of San Diego are on the cover of Just Us Boys magazine. North County’s new LGBTQ Center will be having their annual gala We are Family May 19 at the Oceanside Museum of Art. For more info: 760-672-1848. Russell Roybal, the deputy director of the N.G.L.T.F. in Washington, D.C., was in town this past weekend. San Diego hopes to host another Creating Change conference in the future. Stuart Milk will be in San Diego May 22 for the Harvey Milk Street dedication. Joseph Rocha tells me the recently established GLBT Veterans Advisory Council is in place and soon names will begin to be placed on the Ben F. Dillingham and Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor of San Diego County. Word is that Lei’s Lounge will reopen in June. Look for many San Diego civic and community leaders to drop their voter registration as Republicans and Democrats and become Independents in support of the new group “Move to the Middle” and Nathan Fletcher after the primary. Yes, plans are coming along for the first Harvey Milk American Diner to open in Hillcrest and soon to sweep America!

Super-popular Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom will be in Hillcrest May 23 campaigning for Bob Filner to be held at Rich’s (5 p.m.). The Ben F. Dillingham Community Grant recently paid for yet another cremation of a gay father of two who died of AIDS. This fund also paid for many cremations for those who could not even afford this last dignity in ones life. Look for the return for one night only of The Dating Game at Flicks for a charity fundraising event.

Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last five mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com.

Dave Roberts

With a gay councilman a lesbian district attorney, a newly independent assemblyman who supports marriage equality and a straight U.S. congressman with a 100 percent score from the Human Rights Campaign, local LGBT political coverage has understandably focused on the race for San Diego mayor. While there is no doubt that electing an openly gay or lesbian mayor would be historic, it’s not clear what policy victory it would herald. Democrats have been sharing power on the City Council for some time, and since Mayor Sanders’ support of marriage equality, LGBT issues haven’t been exactly languishing in a drawer in City Hall.

San Diego County is a different story. No resolutions in support of DADT repeal or marriage equality – though there is a policy to support the repeal of birthright citizenship. No Human Relations Commission to bring such issues to the board. Oversight of the CalFresh program recognized nationally as a model of what NOT to do.

These are just a few of the reasons the LGBT and progressive communities need to pay attention to Dave Roberts’ bid to replace retiring District 3 supervisor, Pam Slater-Price. Roberts would be the first openly gay man elected to the board. He would be the first new face on the board in more than 16 years. Though the election is technically non-partisan, he would be the first Democrat in more than 20 years. Even District 4, which includes most of the City, continues to elect Republican Supervisor Ron Roberts despite a registration advantage for Democrats.

“County supervisor” may not sound as sexy as “mayor”, but it is actually a more powerful position by political metrics. Each county supervisor is one of only five people controlling the strings, rather than one of ten (nine councilmembers and the mayor). With 3,769,191 residents, the County population is nearly three times that of the City. The budget, $4.86 billion, dwarfs the City’s $2.71 billion.

That budget funds services crucial to the LGBT community. Federal and state healthcare dollars for the otherwise uninsured come in the form of County Medical Services (CMS). For LGBT youth disowned by their parents, and adults who can’t access insurance from their same-sex partner, these programs provide critical support. Or at least they could.

The offices of the district attorney and sheriff are also run by the County, which becomes important when determining whether violent acts against our community are prosecuted as hate crimes, and whether acts of civil disobedience are prosecuted at all. Counties also perform numerous administrative functions, including issuing marriage licenses.

Roberts has a number of things in his favor in what is sure to be a tight race. He has post-partisan appeal, with endorsements from leading LGBT and straight Democrats, independent icon Donna Frye, and retiring Supervisor Slater-Price, a Republican. His biography includes private sector and governmental experience relevant to many of the counties important functions.

If we’ve learned anything from electing LGBT officials, it’s that having a seat at the table changes more than one vote. It softens opposition by putting the face of a colleague on our issues. It serves as a focal point for coalition building, and can bring silent supporters out of the closet. It provides an access point for new ideas – in this case anything in the past 20 years. Putting Roberts on the board could do much more than make 5-0 votes 4-1. It could get the LGBT community off the menu and on the invite list in San Diego County government.

Chaz Bono, Cher and Mary Bono at the GLAAD Media Awards

I was wonderfully surprised at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles Saturday, April 20. I was working the red carpet with my still camera draped around my neck and a small YouTube quality camera in my purse, and one of the actors I was introduced to by who I assume was her publicist was Jamie Clayton. She is an incredibly energetic, funny and attractive actor.

And, she’s trans.

I had a roughly one-minute-twenty-second interview with her on the red carpet where she talked about her new syndicated television show, Dirty Work. In the dark comedy about a trio of young people who clean up crime scenes after the investigators leave, she plays one of the three “bioremediation engineers” who do the hard work of site clean-up.

And, the character she plays is trans.

It’s not often that one sees a television show or film with a trans character in which the trans character isn’t sexualized and portrayed as somewhat deceptive. An employed, young trans woman with an interesting job – it appears that Jamie Clayton is playing a developed character and not a caricature of a trans woman.

Chaz Bono is someone who I’m already familiar with that I interviewed briefly.

On the red carpet of the 2010 awards event, the last question I asked him about was if he thought it was difficult to do one’s transition in public, and couched the question in terms of Los Angeles Times sportswriter Christine Daniel’s transition. He stated that he thought it was harder for trans women in the public eye that it was for trans men.

So, I asked him a follow-up question this year; I wanted to know if, after the year of taking all of the media drubbing he has over the documentary Becoming Chaz and his participation in Dancing With The Stars, he felt the same way. He answered this way: “My opinion hasn’t changed … I still think it’s harder for trans women.”

Chaz Bono was the recipient of the prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award; the Stephen F. Kolzak Award is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality. Chaz is the first trans person to be the recipient of this award.

GLAAD has been expending their community credibility to fight for trans people, trans issues and the fair portrayal of both in the media. And, their support for full inclusion in the LGBT community was reflected at the GLAAD Media Awards this year in who attended the event, and who was honored at the event.

And if you ask me, that’s a good thing.

Police Officers’ Widows/Orphans Fund charity event

Well, I’m off to our state capitol for five days of meetings and some speeches. Our governor could be naming a new gay or lesbian judge for San Diego soon.

Police Officers’ Widows/Orphans Fund gets GLBT support

Not long ago Police Officer Jeremy Henwood was shot and killed after stopping by a McDonald’s to buy some cookies for a little boy. Whenever a police officer is killed in the line of duty, and we see the TV news reporting families, funerals etc., all San Diegans weep. Recently, the San Diego Police Officers Association held a fundraiser at that same McDonald’s for their Widows/Orphans Fund so I turned to some in our community to put together a contribution to this important cause … $1,600 was raised in a few hours from Rich’s, Numbers, Caliph, Bourbon Street, City Commissioner Bruce Abrams, Big Mike, Allan Spyere, Imperial Court, Ben Dillingham Community Fund and the San Diego LGBT Weekly. S.D.P.O.A. president, Brian Marvel, Police Chief Bill Lansdown and dozens of officers in attendance expressed their deep appreciation to our GLBT community when Nick Moede, Allan Spyere, Big Mike and I attended the fundraiser. Of course, our popular councilman, Todd Gloria and his staff were there after Officer Henwood’s awful murder happened in the heart of District 3. One of the first times we supported the SDPOA was in the 1980s when we presented more than $4,000 at the Nicky Awards for a police memorial which now stands at police headquarters in downtown San Diego.

People, politics and opinions

I’m endorsing former assemblywoman, Lori Saldana for Congress. We badly need more qualified women in our nation’s capitol; and Saldana’s voting record for equality has always been rated 100 percent by Equality California.

Councilman Todd Gloria raised the $51,000 to keep the AIDS- prevention syringe program alive thanks to both Republican and Democrat contributions of Councilmembers Young, Faulconer, Emerald and Alvarez. Gay Councilmember Carl DeMaio refused to not only contribute a dime but also was the lone vote (7-1) against supporting this most important AIDS-prevention program. Shame on you DeMaio. But I’m sure your lack of support pleased your Tea Party and radical right wing base of supporters.

Openly lesbian and national Democratic activist, the wealthy Hilary Rosen really put her high heel in her mouth when she blasted Ann Romney and truly did give her a great “birthday present!”

I recently had breakfast with Congressional candidate John Brooks. While this up-and-coming African American Democrat is considered a long-shot against Vargas and Denchney, he’s a fighter; and you have to give him respect.

Openly gay state assembly speaker, the powerful and influential top Democrat John Perez praised ex-Marine Nathan Fletcher’s decision to become an Independent.

Republican County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price’s endorsement of popular former mayor, Dave Roberts (a Democrat) has helped him rise in the polls to succeed her.

I am so very proud of the many national GLBT organizations who came out in support of Florida teen Trayvon Martin, who was shot to death by a “wanna-be cop.” Now they should come out against that state’s insane “stand your ground” law.

Super-popular Mayor Jerry Sanders and Sheriff Bill Gore have been seen frequently volunteering at Bonnie Dumanis’ campaign headquarters. Now that Councilman Todd Gloria is unopposed for re-election, the talk is about who will succeed him after his last term. The top name being mentioned in this heavy Democratic district is Steven Whitburn. Interestingly, Andrew Poat, who registered as an Independent not long ago has endorsed Fletcher for mayor; hmm … But Poat’s many past endorsements of arch-conservative Republicans may hurt him as another possible candidate to succeed Gloria. Mayoral candidate Bob Filner was received like a conquering hero at this past weekend’s annual Democratic Party dinner. Look for a possible announcement next week about Filner’s involvement and support of another big national effort to honor Harvey Milk’s legacy. The annual Harvey Milk San Diego Breakfast (May 25) has already sold almost 900 tickets, so get your tables/tickets today because it will be sold out again.

City Commissioner Robert Gleason recently had breakfast with General Daniel Yoo, commander of the MCRD.

Joseph Rocha is the new chair of the GLBT Veterans Wall of Honor Advisory Council at The Center.

Chad Michaels, RuPaul … San Diego native superstars!

No one is surprised that San Diego’s award-winning entertainer, Chad Michaels has made the top three finalists of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Logo TV’s top-rated show. Chad Michaels has been a superstar long before this show and will continue to be one no matter the final outcome. Executive producer, RuPaul was born in San Diego and Chad has become the pride of, not only San Diego, but fans all over the world. He has been classy, smart, sensitive and proven that many female impersonators are, indeed, smart and articulate. Chad has made it clear that she is a “professional” to quote her more than a dozen times over! Yes, she has been humorous, smart and played the game well. I first met Chad when I was the founder/producer of the Dreamgirls Revue (Wednesdays at Urban Mo’s and Saturday’s at Bourbon Street). Trust me, he was a mini “hot mess” and very new to the business and his drag mom, Hunter, convinced me to give him a chance and hire him. As Chad’s drag “granny” I’m so very proud of him as, I’m sure, his partner of eight years Adam is. Yes; at times Chad Michaels has had a healthy ego but to know him is to love him; and to see him entertain just once is to become a fan for life. By the way, I just fell in love with Latrice Royale … an old-school queen who is fabulous!

Wang’s is No. 1 Chinese restaurant!

Move over P.F. Chang’s there is a new king of all Chinese restaurants. Wang’s (3829 University Ave.) has taken over the throne and is now No. 1. Last week, San Diego businessman Sherman Mendoza and I had another fabulous dinner at this super-popular classy place. Everything, and I mean everything, on the menu is outstanding and you just can’t go wrong. I do wish they would add their “Duck Sliders” on their menu. Handsome co-owner Tom Eads makes everyone feel welcome and their entire staff is friendly and great (lots of handsome men and beautiful women). So, for the best Chinese food in town it’s now definitely Wang’s.

37th annual Nicky Awards: Aug. 26

The “gay academy awards of San Diego,” yes, the 37th presentation of the Nicky Awards has been set for Sunday, Aug. 26. This annual charity fundraiser is always fun and fabulous with outstanding entertainment. The producers have informed me there will be some new exciting changes for 2012. Did you know that current American Idol top finalist Jessica Sanchez performed and sang at a past Nicky Awards show? For more information on San Diego’s gay Oscars phone 619-300-1232.

Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last five mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com.

Most Americans think of April 15 as tax day. But for baseball fans, it’s Jackie Robinson Day, a celebration of the man who 65 years ago broke baseball’s color barrier. The players all wear number 42, and stadiums around the country have pre-game events.

The announcers appropriately recapped Robinson’s accomplishments. As an athlete, he was the first UCLA Bruin to letter in four sports, and a NCAA long jump champion. As a player, he remains one of the best second basemen in history, having won the Rookie of the Year Award (at 28), a Most Valuable Player Award, a batting title and the sabermetrics crowd. His “wins above replacement” (WAR) was best in the league twice, in the top 10 six times (according to ESPN). As a man, he underwent a court martial for not accepting segregation while in the military (he was later given an honorable discharge), and gracefully heard all manner of racial slurs for playing the game as well as any white man, and better than most.

Too often, baseball promotes the Jackie Robinson story as a victory of Major League Baseball achieving integration. Fortunately, Sunday night, one of announcers caught himself, suggesting “perhaps we shouldn’t be too proud of just treating people equally.” Perhaps you should not.

Jackie Robinson deserved the adulation he continues to receive, and probably more. But baseball? Not so much. Major League Baseball (MLB) is committed to profit, not equality, and it wanted the African American market. As a monopoly with an anti-trust exemption, there was no real risk that fans would leave in droves over the long term. The risk was to the players, like Jackie Robinson.

MLB’s notable lack of an openly gay player is an even better argument against a commitment to equality. Statistically, and simply realistically, there must be multiple gay baseball players. The roster of players on the DL (Down Low, not Disabled List) may not be known to Commissioner Bud Selig, but it’s hardly unknowable. In many ways, adding a gay player today would be easier than adding Robinson in 1947.

Robinson’s debut, of course, was not an accident. It was a well-orchestrated effort between MLB and the Dodgers, choosing Robinson for what he could do off the field more than on it. If Selig made it clear that it was time for an out baseball player, he wouldn’t even have the problem of choosing from outside the league – he would just have to support a courageous current player.

It’s so intuitive, in fact, that one wonders why it hasn’t happened. With half the country supporting marriage equality, the risk seems small, but MLB whiffs at even small chances to show tolerance. Pitcher Carl Pavano was recently the victim of alleged blackmail by a jilted lover from a gay relationship. In a world of It Gets Better videos, Pavano, or the Twins, or baseball could have signaled that there is nothing wrong with being gay. In a league that can make rules on facial hair and perform random urine tests, exerting that sort of message control would seem easy.

Unfortunately, MLB is still fighting for ratings based on an antiquated notion of machismo and how it sells. Despite the efforts of athlete activists like Hudson Taylor and John Amaechi, owners seem worried that the first sport to have a gay player will lose market share to the others. So perhaps it’s time for another approach. Imagine the difference if there were an LGBT owner, who could make it clear that his or her team wanted diversity.

Imagine the coverage if MLB tried to keep them out. The Padres are for sale. Now all we need is a billionaire. Paging Bruce Bastian.

Emperor Tom Dickerson and Emperor Allan Spyere at the annual Easter egg hunt at Trolley Barn Park

Sunday morning, I started getting really early phone calls from back East as my picture made the New York Times society page and was done by famed photographer Bill Cunningham who caught me at a gala GLBT charity event.

Laura Duffy has let us all down

When openly lesbian Laura Duffy was appointed a United States attorney for this region I was very proud and still am, though I’ve disagreed with some of her decisions. But this recent “plea deal” with that murdering monster Benjamin Arellano Felix who headed the most ruthless and murdering Mexican drug cartel is a disgrace.

For more than two decades this man has been responsible for the murders of countless families and innocent children. U.S. Attorney Duffy sentenced him to only 25 years in prison. Even the sentencing U.S. District Judge Larry Burns said that if he could have he would have imposed a longer sentence but Laura Duffy’s deal with this monster stopped him from being able to do it. Interestingly, Laura Duffy sentenced some of Felix’s top aides to “life sentences” but not the head monster whose bloody rule over the Tijuana drug world included more than 1,000 killings which included victims tortured and even their bodies dissolved in acid.

Yet this is the same U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy who has gone nuts and been fanatically obsessed over closing down all of our city’s medical marijuana stores.

Ms. Duffy, you have sent the wrong message to the real drug world leaders with your deal-making and shame on you. There is no excuse … period.

Harvey Milk Street … Jess Jessop Avenue … Chris Kehoe Library?

Things are going well and as planned for the possible dedication of Harvey Milk Street in San Diego, next month. Our city has named hundreds of streets after prominent civic leaders and prominent Americans, but this would be the first street named after an openly gay American hero who served in the Navy while stationed in San Diego. Harvey Milk fell in love with California, and then moved to San Francisco; but it was our city that made this Navy veteran fall in love with the Golden State … and the rest is history.

It is our hope to continue to get outstanding citizens honored in San Diego as other civil leaders, people of color community leaders etc. have been. It is our goal to some day have a street dedicated in honor of Jess Jessop, Gloria Johnson, Jeri Delino and Ben Dillingham … all who have served, not only our country (three are veterans), but our community and city (many in official capacities). State Sen. Chris Kehoe will be retiring from office this year and I believe, someday, a public school should be named Sen. Christine Kehoe Elementary or High School!

We GLBT citizens of San Diego have just the same outstanding civic and community leaders and it is time they are recognized and honored as others have been. Interestingly, there is a Neil Good Homeless Shelter in downtown San Diego named after the second openly gay candidate to run for public office. (Al Best, our first candidate should also be recognized.) As chairman of this GLBT History Task Force I want to thank you all for your support for our Harvey Milk Street campaign, especially our hard-working members and San Diego LGBT Pride.

We now need donations to cover the new changed Harvey Milk Street signs … please send your contribution to LGBT Pride, P.O. Box 34366, San Diego 92163 or for more info. call 619-692-1967. Thank you. A special shout out and thank you to Councilman Todd Gloria and his great staff.

And, by the way, I think it’s time to get a campaign going to get a U.S. Navy ship named after Harvey Milk.

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt another success

A very big hug and thank you to everyone who made our Ninth annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt another huge success with hundreds of smiling children and their families having a great Easter Sunday at Trolley Barn Park. Co-sponsors of this annual event were the Imperial Court, The LGBT Center/Family Matters and the offices of Councilman Todd Gloria, who made this all possible and brought so much joy to hundreds of these children. Thanks as well to: The Caliph, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, Promenade Apts., Rich’s, Lips, Bourbon St., Numbers, San Diego Rodeo, Leather Pride, Redwing D.J. Melo, William Oyos, Ben Dillingham, Nick Moede, Chris Plato, Sherman Mendoza, Michael and Billy Weiss, Tom Ketelaar, Lambda Archives, Big Mike, Allan Spyere, Erika Odessa, Kaiden, the Bears, Robert Rodriguez, Joseph Grienenberger, the Firefighters Local Union 145, the Eagle, Jackie-O, Robert Gleason, Charles Haggis, Sandra Lawhon, Frank Noblietti, Evans Hotels, Meldon Miller, Maureen Steiner, Camille Davidson, SDMEA, Rick Ford, Municipal Employees Association, Fred Townson, San Diego LGBT Weekly, Gay San Diego, Lorena Gonzalez, and big hugs to all the volunteers, especially from Family Matters (kisses to Jane and Carolina), the Imperial Court members and chairs: Empress A.J. and Emperor Tom … please forgive me if I’ve forgotten anyone … as the founder of this event it warms this old queens heart to see such love and generous outpourings of support from both the GLBT and straight community.

Comedian Robin Tyler’s special show: April 19

One of North America’s most famous, legendary and hilarious comedians will be doing a one night only show at the American Comedy Company, Thursday April 19. Yes, the one and only Robin Tyler will do her outrageous show to benefit our popular district attorney, Bonnie Dumanis who’s running for mayor … for reservations or more info. Americancomedyco.com

Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last five mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com.

Spoiler Alert: If you don’t want to know more about The Hunger Games, read no further. You should probably stay in your house and turn off your phone and computer, too.

The Hunger Games has a little something for everyone. The sci-fi crowd gets a post-apocalyptic planet with both high-tech hovercrafts and pre-industrial foraging. Romantics get a heroine deciding between two suitors, but who, unlike Bella Swan (Twilight), could also make it on her own. Action buffs get a battle royale that makes WrestleMania obsolete, pitting two children from each of 12 districts in a fight to the death.

The politically aware? We get the most. Even Suzanne Collins, the author, admits that The Hunger Games is an allegory of how oppressive regimes use entertainment to control the masses. The novel evokes the past, with the name of the country, Panem, coming from the Latin for the “bread and circuses” of ancient Rome. It is set in a future North America, after both an apocalypse and the “The Dark Days”, when the poorer Districts including the now defunct 13 tried to overthrow the oppressive Capitol.

Yet there are uncomfortable analogies to the present, particularly between the political and economic “haves” and “have nots.” Call them the 1 percent or the military industrial complex, the “haves” may occupy Wall Street skyscrapers and suburban mansions rather than a Capitol, (a few of the males were recently spotted at Augusta National) but they have tributes just the same. Usually, the entertainment is minority groups fighting with each other, but too often the tribute really is a child, sometimes in a hoodie in Florida.

Any artifice that in-fighting among minority groups isn’t arranged and dubiously nurtured was destroyed by the Human Rights Campaign’s release earlier this month of documents from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM). Their internal memos document a clear and specific strategy to drive a wedge between the LGBT community and the African American and Latino communities.

Ironically, NOM thinks they are part of the powerful upper class diffusing the power of the LGBT community and communities of color with further division. In many ways, however, religious interests are just another group of have-nots who are battling at the pleasure of the real economic power brokers. Like the denizens of District 2, they get a few extra scraps for helping with enforcement, but they’ll never get an invite to the party. As Thomas Frank noted in What’s the Matter with Kansas? there has been a concerted effort to convince social conservatives to subjugate their own economic interests to a war between “average Americans” and “liberal elites.”

Whether Trayvon Martins killing was racially motivated remains to be proven, but it would be far from the first time communities of color have been pitted against each other. Blaming Latinos for African American job losses was almost a parlor game for Southern conservatives, who gleefully watch their candidates survive in increasingly diverse communities. These same inter-minority battles are seen throughout the country, where potential allies argue just enough to let the current power brokers win elections.

When underserved and underrepresented communities fight, the only winners are those trying to hold on to power. As in the arena, the answer is coalition building – deciding to fight the system instead of each other. That requires setting aside some differences and looking for truths – like the fact that aversion to same-sex marriage isn’t racial, it’s religious. Outreach to faith communities will do far more for LGBT rights than bashing other communities who are fighting for their own freedoms. Similarly, the un- and under-employed must realize that wartime tax cuts for the wealthy and fast and loose financiers are more to blame for job losses than undocumented immigrants.

As she shepherds her District 12 charges to their annual slaughter in The Hunger Games, pink-haired Capitolite Effie Trinkett tells them “may the odds be ever in your favor.“ It’s not true for them, or us, at the moment. But if we continue to look for common ground, and refuse to be wedged apart, we might start taking a few hands from the house.

Join Imperial Court this Easter Sunday for the annual Easter egg hunt at Trolley Barn Park.

Since writing a weekly column since the early 1970s I’ve never missed three columns in a row … so, of course, I understand all the concerns, questions and gossip.

So, as I’ve always been open with my life with my readers I will set the record straight. No, I was not in the hospital for two weeks, but only three days. No, I’m not dying but I did have some scary moments. Old age can be, at times, very challenging and lately I have fallen or stumbled outside and, yes, inside my senior living apartment. At times my breathing has brought me problems and my heart … well … I live alone with my beloved cat Nixon. I am blessed to have close friends who drop by and make sure I have food and drink as I was bedridden for more than a week. I have been receiving endless phone calls and emails etc., and while I appreciate them I’ve always tried to be private about these details but they have gotten out. There are some gossipy hospital nurses that I would like to choke! At any rate I’m sorry I’ve missed so many meetings, events, etc., this past month but I’m doing better and taking all my medications. In fact, I am doing so much better that my doctor let me go to New York for about five days and, yes, see a specialist. But my last thoughts to you are this … I am blessed that I have so many caring friends. I live with and know a lot of my fellow seniors who are truly alone and uncared for. It breaks my heart to see them go through illness and life almost totally alone. Please try to reach out and make friends with a senior you know or live by. We are all going to get old. Thank you for listening.

New York

Well, trust me, I stayed in my hotel bed for about 75 percent of the time, but my view overlooked all of Times Square. Thank you, the Marriott Marquis Hotel. I had the honor of dedicating a wall at the historic Stonewall Inn (including a picture of me!) After my short speech I went back to my hotel but this historic, wonderful event went on with hundreds in attendance. At the big charity event attended by more than 1,000 people benefitting PFLAG and New Alternatives for homeless GLBT youth I had a great time and it was fun to have CoCo LaChine at my table and we fell in love with Olympic medalist Johnny Weir and comedian Lisa Lampanelli. I had the honor to present them awards along with all-time favorite world-renowned photographer Mike Ruiz. In my address to the huge New York audience I reminded them we all still should be concerned about the safety of our GLBT youth. We should also be concerned about a 17-year-old black teenage boy being shot and killed. I stopped by the beautiful Holy Cross Church and said some prayers for my friends and some who just recently passed away.

Please donate children’s Easter baskets

As many of you know, more than a decade ago grandmother Linda Childers and I founded an annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt held every Easter Sunday at Trolley Barn Park in University Heights. Last year more than 600 children attended! This years sponsors are the Imperial Court, The LGBT Center and the City Council offices of Todd Gloria … and so many bars, businesses, sports groups, etc. Well, we badly need your help. Please donate children’s Easter baskets. You can drop them off at The Center or phone 619-692-1967 for more information. Thank you so very much.

Nathan Fletcher … a man of principle

Almost two years ago state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher and I had lunch (at Baja Betty’s) and we were discussing upcoming state legislation. During our conversation we talked about the partisan, negativity and worsening battles between Republicans and Democrats. And, yes, we talked about him becoming an Independent because of the vicious and hateful attacks on him and his family by many Republicans over his support of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and over his support of gay history being taught in our schools. I personally read some of this hate mail and the worst were the ones attacking his family, sons and faith.

Both the Democratic and Republican Parties are raising money for one of the most negative mayoral campaigns in our city’s history. I was sad to read Jess Durfee’s attack on Fletcher registering as an Independent, and I quote, “One of the most cynical political ploys we’ve seen in San Diego in decades.” How dare you Jess; you don’t even know this decorated young ex-Marine who has stood up for equality for all citizens and been so viciously attacked.

Nathan Fletcher is a man of character and principle and did what has been burning in his heart for years … there has to be a better way and for your information, Mr. Durfee, the highest growing registration is Independents as both parties continue to fight and let us down. No, I still have not officially endorsed a candidate as I highly respect Bob Filner and Bonnie Dumanis but, let me say, I am very proud of Nathan.

Nicole Murray Ramirez has been an award-winning columnist since 1973, and a Latino and gay activist for well over 40 years. He is currently a city commissioner and has served the last five mayors of San Diego. He is also a national board member of the Harvey Milk Foundation and chairman of the International Court Council of the USA, Canada and Mexico. Nicolemrsandiego@aol.com.

With all this talk about Proposition 8 and constitutionality over the past year, we can’t lose sight of the sibling issue calling for the repeal of federal laws that infringe on the rights of LGBT persons on the national stage. There are more than 1,000 statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining federal benefits, rights and privileges. These rights and responsibilities apply to only male-female couples, defining marriage as between only a man and a woman. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) codified this unequal treatment into law. Accordingly, and under DOMA, thousands of same-sex couples are denied the same federal benefits, rights and privileges that opposite-sex couples are afforded every day.

Some of those benefits, rights and privileges are:

Same-sex couples are denied federal tax benefits, such as joint filing and tax free transfer of property between spouses, which translates to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

Immigration benefits: Same-sex couples do not enjoy qualification for various visas and clearances for citizenship, unlike heterosexual couples.

The good news is that several groups are working toward doing away with these ugly inequities under the law. While California’s focus has been on the repeal of Proposition 8 and the important court decisions related to the challenge, the dance for LGBT rights on the national scale continues.

A major lawsuit against DOMA was back in Court this week at the federal appeals level. The case is a consolidation of three cases but is generally referred to as Gill v. Office of Personnel Management. This litigation went straight for the jugular and has challenged DOMA’s definition of the word ‘marriage’ as meaning only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ referring only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife. In that case, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts won a ruling in the federal district court on the litigation in July 2010. At that time, they were opposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ). But in February 2011, the DOJ announced it would no longer argue that DOMA is constitutional.