Gay San Diego: Vol. 9, Issue 24

Volume 9 Issue 24 Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

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ARTS

Check out community events Page 14

Courage, honor and activism

A passion for drawing

8 DINING

‘Vulgarly delicious’

q

THEATER

Eleven veterans are inducted into the Benjamin F. Dillingham, III & Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor at the San Diego LGBT Community Center on Nov. 8. (Photo courtesy of Big Mike Photography)

Veterans inducted to the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Albert H. Fulcher | Editor

400 possible endings

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NEWS

The fight for breast cancer

Index Opinion ................................... 6 Classifieds............................ 11 Business & Services ............ 11 Puzzle ................................... 14

Contact us

It is a long-standing tradition to honor the veterans for their dedication to this country, their service, and the continuing

contributions they make within their own communities. During a standing-room-only event, 11 veterans from different decades of service were inducted into the Benjamin F. Dillingham,

III & Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor on Nov. 8 at the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

The LGBT Wall of Honor recognizes local veterans who

Trans that serve

By Neal Putman

Albert H. Fulcher | Editor

see Equality, pg 12

(l to r) U.S. Navy hospital corpsman Akira White, U.S. Army veteran Veronica Zerrer and U.S. Coast Guard veteran Zander Keig were recognized by Equality California and the Coors Light Tap Into Change program on Nov. 11 for their military service and activism for transgender rights. (Photo by Albert H. Fulcher)

Advertising 619-961-1958 mike@sdcnn.com

www.sdcnn.com San Diego Community News Network

A judge ordered a man to stand trial for murder in the 2000 slaying of LeRay "Mac" Parkins, a 71-year-old gay man who was fatally beaten with a baseball bat during his morning walk in North Park on Nov. 15.

Parkins, who sang in the choir at Metropolitan

see Courts, pg 5 Always Dependable, Always There for You, Always Prepared

Editorial/Letters 619-961-1960 albert@sdcnn.com

see Wall of Honor, pg 2

Judge orders trial for 2000 slaying in North Park

Equality California and Coors Light distinguish local transgender veterans and active duty Since the election of President Donald Trump, he and his administration have attacked the transgender

served this country honorably and continued their service as mentors in fighting for LGBT equality.

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2

NEWS

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

FROM PAGE 1

WALL OF HONOR The 2018 LGBT Wall of Honor Advisory Council nominated this year’s inductees, whose names are now forever displayed on the wall. This was the first induction since the passing of Dillingham shortly after Veterans Day of last year. Advisory Councilmember Veronica Zerrer, and TransFamily Support Services board president, announced a $1,000 matching grant to sponsor this year’s Wall of Honor.

The Center’s Chief Executive Director Caroline (Cara) Dessert said it was an honor to celebrate with the

local LGBT military family.

This was her first year attending the ceremony in her new role.

“As we walk around the building and talk about our many services and programs here at The Center, every percent of our guests that come through stop right here, and it is my privilege to tell them that this wall is special to our community,” Dessert said.

“Tonight we gather to celebrate some very special LGBT veterans and to express what this wall represents. In our military town, we have always had service members that are leaders in our LGBT community. This wall expresses our undying gratitude, made to honor those in our LGBT community that have often served

our country with silence, but always with honor.”

The following veterans from the San Diego community were inducted as the 2018 Wall of Honor recipients. ●● Eva Belanger, U.S. Air Force ●● Norman Braxton, U.S. Navy ●● Tom Carpenter, U.S. Marine Corps ●● James Cassidy, U.S. Navy ●● Courtland Hirschi, U.S. Marine Corps ●● James Kilpatrick, U.S. Marine Corps ●● Bob Pedrick, U.S. Navy ●● James Seal, U.S. Air Force ●● Al Smithson, U.S. Navy ●● Robert G. Wheeler, U.S. Air Force ●● Will Williams, U.S. Navy Wall of Honor’s founder Nicole Murray Ramirez said

gay-sd.com

(l to r) Morgan M. Hurley, 2018 LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Advisory Council chair presents Brian Alvarado special recognition for earning the 2018 Armed Forces U.S. Navy Military Spouse of the year as his husband Petty Officer Matthew Alvarado looks on. (Photo by Albert H. Fulcher) San Diego is proud to be home to the largest military community in the Western hemisphere. Ramirez said he learned early in life from his father to proudly honor and support all veterans, reminding him that they are the reason for his freedom today.

“A civil rights movement that doesn’t know where it came from, does not really know where it is going,” Ramirez said. “These two walls, the Veterans Wall and the Wall of Honor are reminders of whose shoulders we stand on. Many of our community’s trailblazers, pioneers, heroes, here are honored. Every year, we now gather together and honor these true American patriots. Many of whom have been subjected to scorn, hate, discrimination, and violence because they are gay, lesbian, bi or transgender, or people of color.”

Ramirez compared the gathering to a family reunion, coming together to celebrate “who we are” and those that highly contribute to this nation we live in.

“We in the GLBT community are blessed with two families,” Ramirez continued. “One that we were born into, and another that we have chosen.

Now, one of our family members is under attack in an ongoing campaign to erase their existence. Let today be the day that all of us hear the battle cry and answer the battle call to defend and stand up for our transgender sisters and brothers. And we should all take the treatment and health care of all our veterans a top priority.”

Ramirez named the wall after Benjamin and Bridget Wilson because they have been fighters and champions for the San Diego community and its veterans for decades.

He also established the Ben F. Dillingham, III LGBT Leadership Award last year with the first recipients being Bridget Wilson and Dr. Delores Jacobs, The Center’s former CEO who provided him with her full support for the establishment of the Wall of Honor.

This year’s Leadership Award was awarded to Morgan M. Hurley, Wall of Honor Advisory Council chair and former editor of Gay San Diego.

“Tonight, I’m honoring the third Leadership Award to a proud veteran who has not only championed this wall but has been a strong advocate and educator through her writings about GLBT matters in the

community,” Ramirez said.

Hurley said that she was honored and surprised to receive this distinction, and then continued with a special recognition for the evening before the 2018 induction.

“I would like to introduce you to a very special inspirational couple, Brian and Matthew Alvarado,” Hurley said. “By the time of the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in September of 2011, Petty Officer Andy [Matthew] Alvarez had already served 12 years in silence under this policy.”

Shortly after his marriage, Brian Alvarado served on the Family Readiness Group with Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE, moving on to the Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center in Point Loma as command ombudsman. Both of these roles are normally given to a military wife, Hurley said.

“In that role, Brian used his own entrepreneurial experience to assist other spouses to get jobs or expand in their own careers and has worked really hard to make changes to the family military programs to this day,” Hurley continued.

“I'm pleased to share with you all that last May, after three phases of voting and thousands and thousands of nominees, just seven years after the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ Brian Alvarado was selected the 2018 Armed Forces Insurance U.S. Navy Military Spouse of the Year.”

Rep. Scott Peters attended the ceremony and said it was unbelievable to see the local support that came out to celebrate the San Diegan inductees.

“This year’s honorees are some of the best in the San Diego community,” Peters said.

“They decided to step up and serve our country in the face of adversity of what others don't understand. It’s hard to believe in the 21st century that brave, qualified Americans would be turned away from service. And once again, we are in a bad time when it comes to LGBT rights, especially those in the transgender community. This administration’s attempt to block transgender individuals from serving in the military is just one example of the backward rhetoric that has consumed our country.”

—Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

ARTS

gay-sd.com

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

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Master of illustrations

San Diego artist displays LGBT artwork at local exhibit Albert H. Fulcher | Editor San Diego-based artist Joe Phillips is internationally known for his illustrations, animations, designs, sculptures and commercial work. With an extensive portfolio working with leaders of the comic book industry, he has penciled interiors and covers for publishers DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Wild Storm, Now and more. His work also goes beyond comics and moves into the commercial world with clothing lines and recording artists. But for all of his life, his passion has been the art of drawing.

Phillips displayed a wide selection of his LGBT illustrations and introduced his fifth book, “Joe Boys,” at insideOUT on Nov. 15. A vibrant part of the San Diego LGBT community, this book is flooded with incredible illustrations, letters from fans, pencil sketches and some familiar faces in our local LGBT community.

Phillips’ art has the ability to catch the eye with strong lines, a powerful yet seamless use of colorization, and most of all, the ability to tell a story.

His different techniques and styles of art take you through a journey of traditional comics, ubiquitous illustrations that show the reality of life. His art represents all things sexy, funny, whimsical, playful, and masterful and showcases the spectrums of his artistic ability.

After going through traditional comics, Phillips said he realized that it wasn’t as meaningful as he expected.

“It felt like there was something missing in the gay community, so I started doing my own thing because there was a lot of overly sexual stuff

but there’s nothing that just shows people enjoying themselves,” Phillips said. “When I was growing up, I always saw these pictures on The Saturday Evening Post, Norman Rockwell and things like that and I always wanted the same kind of images with guys, so I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Phillips said illustration can be very communicative, no matter what language you speak.

“You can tell a friendly gesture, you can see something where people love each other, having a conversation or friends laughing,” he said.

“That translates no matter where you are from. So that is what I strive to create in my work.”

In “Joe Boys,” Phillips included letters sent to him without revealing their names, but he placed them next to the illustrations that they related to him in the letters.

“I may be drawing this in California, but there is some guy in Kansas that is being bullied and finds a picture of my artwork and he stores it away,” Phillips said. “It gives him hope that there is a place sometime in his life that he will be able to live that life.

That just melts your heart and makes me know that’s why I want to do it. I want to continue to do that for people unlike us. We are in Hillcrest and we have all kinds of support, but there are large parts of the country and around the world that they don't have that. This is not there. The art is kind of like a little oasis for that.”

Phillips also does consignment work. During the holidays, he creates personalized Christmas cards. He also does

anniversaries, commemorations, personal illustrations and strives to do the kind of artwork that people request.

Coming out in early December is Phillips’ first set of tarot cards. The “Joe Phillips Divine Diversity” 80-card tarot deck is a masterwork and comes from an entirely different perspective than many of his original art pieces. He captures the meanings of the cards through his art. It is an original, one-time collection piece for any lover of tarot.

see Joe Phillips, pg 16

Joe Phillips illustrations convey love, friendship and camaraderie

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INTERVIEW

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

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No doubting Viola Davis’s power ‘Widows’ star on her LGBTQ evolution, why her favorite role was as a man and being inspired by sexual fluidity

Viola Davis was the first black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy and a Tony for acting. (Photo courtesy 20th Century Fox)

By Chris Azzopardi Viola Davis taps my hand when she really means what she says. Each time the actress reaches over to make contact, the big bar in the big skyscraper in big Chicago where we are sitting diminishes. She has a way of making any space feel intimate.

The first black actor to win an Oscar, Emmy and a Tony for acting, Davis is seated diagonally from me at a larger-thanwe-need table more suited for a family’s Thanksgiving gathering than a conversation between two

people. She is striking in a baby-blue pantsuit and a gorgeous, billowing afro, owning the space she occupies much like the way she owns the screen, having granted vulnerability and humanity to some of TV, theater and film’s most unforgettable women for three decades.

Her knack for investigating the deepest human depths of her characters is best illustrated in a single scene, as a loving, anguished mother in 2008’s “Doubt,” her indelible breakthrough. Later, she starred as Aibileen Clark in “The Help” (she previously

played another maid in gay director Todd Haynes’ 2002 film “Far From Heaven”), and in “Suicide Squad” and “Fences,” which won her an Oscar. As criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating on ABC’s hit drama “How to Get Away with Murder,” she is a mighty force.

Davis’s signature resilience once again pervades tenacious crime-boss Veronica Rawlins in “12 Years a Slave” director Steve McQueen’s socially charged action-thriller “Widows,” notably featuring a lead cast mostly comprised of actresses of color.

After spending the early years of her career not recognizing her power even though we did, Davis, 53, does now, she tells me. The obvious question: “Do gay men feel compelled to bow down to you?” I ask, moments into the candid conversation that awaits us, which has Davis reflecting on how she learned to love the LGBTQ community and why she feels her best role was as a man. Smiling, she lights up and leans back.

“You know what, yeah, they do.”

(Chris Azzopardi) These badass women doing badass things in a world where sometimes these women are told that they can’t do them...

(Viola Davis) Absolutely.

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How do you explain the connection between these strong women you play and the LGBTQ community?

Because I think the LGBTQ community feels like they’re on the periphery. They feel like they’re not seen, they feel like they’re not worthy, they feel like they’re not valued.

And there’s no answer to that, other than the fact that you’re not heterosexual. Really, that’s it. That’s what I think, and I certainly feel the same way, as someone who has been marginalized my entire life.

Listen, when I think about myself, I am everything within me. I’ve had boyfriends, people think I’m cute (laughs).

I’m funny! I’m telling you, I’m all of those things. And I cannot stand labels. I cannot stand them.

Did you have something to do with Annalise’s sexual fluidity, then?

I had everything to do with that. And so did (creator) Pete Nowak; I can’t leave him out. I really have to give him credit for that too. But yeah, absolutely. And also, “I Am Jazz”: I was watching that one night. I love that show. But I was watching that one night and (trans TV star and model Jazz Jennings) was playing in the closet with one of her friends who was a trans teenager, and it was just great. They were talking about who they see themselves with in the future, and they were like, “Whoever, you know. I’m open. I’m open to a boy, I’m open to a girl.” And they started talking about just the attributes of the people they wanted to be with.

That transformed me more than anything. I thought, “That is the greatest thing in the world,” and I thought that that was a great idea for Annalise because Annalise is so damaged, so traumatized that what if she just said, “I’m just open to love?” God, think about what we can explore there.

Are you inspired by this generation of young people who identify as sexually fluid?

Totally, with everything. My generation – I always say, “The black and Hispanic people liked disco and the white people liked rock ’n’ roll.” That was my generation. And there was no language for homosexuality – only fear.

Growing up in Rhode Island, what was your introduction to the LGBTQ community?

Hmm... probably through… that’s a difficult question. I’m gonna say this: My friend… shit. This is menopause, ’cause I was just talking about him. Slim! My friend Slim! And I’ll say him, even though it’s more than just him, because I just did have a lot of gay friends. I’m a theater geek!

But my introduction into, especially the gay and the trans community, was Slim.

And the reason why I say that is because it challenged even my idea of sexuality, because we were just friends and he had a girlfriend, and then he announced to me that he was gay, and then it went from that to him borrowing my clothes, my dresses. I was like, “Oh, OK! You can borrow my dresses!” So he would take my dresses, and then it went from that to him dropping out of school – and of course we still continued our friendship. And then it went from that to him wearing my makeup.

I just remember going with it, of course, because I loved him. It was my first introduction into a different level of sexuality that no one talked about. He had a group of young men that lived with him who were all trans and he called them his “sons and daughters.” Some were gay, some were trans, some were transvestite, and it was my first introduction into the fluidity of sexuality.

You said this was going to be a difficult question for you to answer, but it wasn’t.

It wasn’t difficult, I know. I guess not.

see Interview, pg 12

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COMMUNITY VOICES / NEWS

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

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An ending of an era and a beginning of a new one South Bay Alliance Dae Elliott

P

erhaps you have heard, but if not, here’s the official announcement. I will be retiring as chair of South Bay Alliance (SBA) in January 2019. It has been a remarkable and challenging 12 years and an honor to work with so many talented and committed individuals. I am proud of the progress we have made in outreach and education around LGBTQ+ issues and concerns

in the South Bay. It continues to amaze me how much South Bay Pride has grown from just a few hundred attending to the many thousands. I suspect that growth will continue to amaze as we enter the next couple of years of Chula Vista Bayfront development that is now underway.

That said, I think it is time I turn the reins over to the younger members of the community as I plan the next phase of my life (retirement!). I started this endeavor with little experience but a strong desire to learn to be a servant of change. I trust those following will do even better than myself.

I am not completely abandoning South Bay Alliance or South Bay Pride but am taking a backseat. It is hard to do as I think of it as my baby, but there comes a time when you must let that child stand on its own. I have complete faith that those serving on the board and Planning Committee are just as dedicated as myself and will move forward to make SBA even better. Although I will still be here in the San Diego area for a while, this allows the new blood their autonomy to make their vision of SBA and South Bay Pride a reality while still having access to myself in an advisory capacity (I’m

You can fix your childhood Life Beyond Therapy Michael Kimmel

M

ost of us think that the bad stuff that happened to us when we were kids is hardwired into our brains. We try to change old habits/patterns and find it almost impossible. We notice how much like our parents we are, or how our bosses or partners have similar characteristics of our parents, and wonder: “Why am I doing this? I don’t want to keep repeating the same pattern. Help!”

One reason I became a therapist is because I had a childhood that needed a lot of “fixing.” As a kid, my mantra was, “I’m doomed.” My secondary mantra was, “There’s something fundamentally wrong with me.” (See how nicely these two negative mantras work together?)

Being born into a conservative, rural Ohio family didn’t help. I was so closeted that I didn’t come out until my 30s. It took a lot of therapy after that to turn down the volume on my negative mantras. They haunted me for years.

They rarely surface any more. Why? Because I fixed my childhood. You can, too. It’s definitely possible, but it does take some work. Consider this: We unconsciously follow

the path formed during our childhood of other people’s expectations. We swallow parental and societal values whole, without question, because we have no options. We are helpless children who have little or no power to fight back against everything we’re taught/brainwashed to believe. As LGBT people, we get a double whammy of this heteronormative brainwashing, unless we have super-enlightened parents and totally live in a world where our emerging adolescent sexuality is welcomed and celebrated in every moment (good luck with that!).

To undo this “brainwashing,” regardless of our age, we need a holistic, healing “adolescence,” when we can experience conscious (and moderate) risk-taking, a healthy rebellion against the values from our childhood and the chance to discover and live out what’s right for us now, as LGBT adults.

When working with clients, I often hear comments like, “My life feels empty”, “I feel lonely and trapped in my relationship” and “I just want to escape from my job and all the stress of my life and run away.”

Sounds pretty bleak, right?

Here’s the good news: this unhappiness can be the beginning of a healthy form of “rebellion.” We are looking for our own voice. Not the internalized voices of our heteronormative

family/society and are ready to get rid of much of what we were taught is “right” and explore how we want to be and live now.

This is a great thing!

It’s how we begin to fix our childhoods.

For some of us, it takes something big to wake us up.

For others, it’s a vague, gnawing dissatisfaction that keeps tapping us on the shoulder, saying, “You’re not really happy. This isn’t the life you want.”

To fix our childhood, we need to experience/explore our deep desires for freedom, autonomy and self-definition and to realize that our unhappiness is the result of an internal struggle between who we were raised to be (our past) and who we truly want to be in the here-and-now (our present).

As we get older, we naturally become more aware of previously, unexpressed needs we may have trying to (unsuccessfully) ignore. This often manifests in the strong sense that something is wrong or missing.

Some people think they can address this by buying a new car, new clothes, taking a big, expensive trip or having an affair.

Nope, that won’t do it.

That’s only a diversion. It’s time for internal growth, not buying more stuff or changing partners.

Here are some specific ways to begin to fix your childhood:

CELEBRATING OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY

pretty sure they won’t need it).

We are also very lucky to have many on the board that have been with us for a long time to ease the transition.

In anticipation to that, there was a Stakeholder Meeting on Nov. 19 at the Chula Vista Main Library in order to discuss with our supporters going forward and recruiting for the 2019 South Bay Pride Planning Committee. Let us know if you too would like to volunteer.

We also request that if you are interested in serving on the board, please reach out with your resume. They will be presented at December’s board

● Brainstorm about what you really want now, in your work, leisure and relationships. ● Imagine how you want to feel on a day-to-day basis. ● Assess your need for security versus your need for excitement. ● Do the “Oprah.”

Identify and write down things in your life you’re grateful for. ● Limit time you spend in fantasy, regret or longing for the past (e.g., wishing to be younger again).

You can fix your childhood. It’s hard work, but it’s damn sure worth it. Why not start now? You have nothing to lose but all that old pain and heteronormative brainwashing.

—Michael Kimmel is a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in helping LGBT clients achieve their goals and deal with anxiety, depression, grief, sexually addictive behavior, coming out, relationship challenges and homophobia. Contact him at 619-955-3311 or visit lifebeyondtherapy.com.t

meeting. Besides the chair position, we have a few other openings. These are unpaid board positions but amazing opportunities to be part of the difference. Email southbayalliance@gmail.com.

Again, it has been an honor to serve.

—Dae —Dae Elliott is a founding executive committee member and the current executive director of South Bay Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and organizer of the annual South Bay Pride Art & Music Festival.

Contact her at southbayalliance@gmail.com.t

FROM PAGE 1

COURTS Community Church in San Diego, never regained consciousness after the Aug. 23, 2000 beating, and died three days later in a hospital, said Cordell Hill, his life partner, who testified in the preliminary hearing of Edward Jamar Brooks, now 38.

A criminalist, Tamira Ballard, testified she analyzed the empty pockets of Parkins' shorts where his wallet had been taken and it matched Brooks' DNA profile in a crime lab test this year. Brooks was arrested in North Carolina in May. The getaway driver, Terrence Maurice Brown, now 37, pleaded guilty to robbing Parkins and faces five years in prison, said Deputy District Attorney David Bost. Lester Roshunn Bell, 38, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and faces up to 11 years in prison. They also remain in jail.

—Neal Putnam is a local freelance writer. Reach him at neal_putnam@juno.com.t

All are

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GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

OPINION

#StopTheKilling

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien Viccky Gutierrez Celine Walker Tonya Harvey

gay-sd.com

#WontBeErased

Zakaria Fry

Nino Fortson

Sasha Garden

Nikki Enriquez

Phylicia Mitchell

Gigi Pierce

Vontashia Bell

Amia Tyrae Berryman

Antash'a English

Dejanay Stanton

Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier

Sasha Wall

Diamond Stephens

Shantee Tucker

Karla Patricia Flores-Pavón

Keisha Wells

Londonn Moore

Cathalina Christina James

Guest Editorial

Creep of the Week: Donald Trump

By D’Anne Witkowski Well, we made it. We lived through the 2018 midterm election, an election that saw record turnout. And record voter suppression.

Sadly, that voter suppression is still ongoing. In Florida, swamp creature outgoing Gov. Rick Scott was neck and neck with Democrat Bill Nelson in the race for Nelson’s Senate seat, and the governor’s race went through all kinds of hell going on with uncounted ballots.

Thankfully we have a mature and adult human who thinks hard as president that we can turn to for guidance at this difficult time.

As definitely-qualified-for-president-job Donald Trump tweeted on Nov. 12, “The Florida election should be called in favor of Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis in that large numbers of new ballots showed up out of nowhere, and many ballots are missing or forged.

An honest vote count is no longer possible — ballots massively infected. Must go with Election Night!”

Oh, and that’s after he

EDITOR Albert H. Fulcher (619) 961-1960 albert@sdcnn.om CONTRIBUTING EDITORS (619) 519-7775 Sara Butler, x118 Jeff Clemetson, x119 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Azzopardi Dae Elliott Michael Kimmel Neal Putman Nicole Murray Ramirez Mikey Rox Frank Sabatini Jr. D'Anne Witkowski

tweeted on Nov. 10, “Trying to STEAL two big elections in Florida! We are watching closely!”

What a stalwart defender of democracy, that one. It was announced on Nov. 19 that these Republicans won their races.

A couple of things: These ballots that Trump claims “showed up out of nowhere” likely include ballots of men and women in the military who are stationed overseas.

And they didn’t just magically appear. They were mailed and under Florida law can arrive after Election Day and still count. Not that I think Trump has any understanding of Florida law, not to mention how the United States Postal Service works or how people outside of the U.S. manage to vote. But surely he knows someone who can whisper into his hair, “Refusing to count service members’ ballots is a really bad look.”

But that’s where we are.

Oh, yeah, and then there’s Georgia, where the governor’s race was decided on Nov. 16, between Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is a black (gasp!) woman (gasp!), and

a white man whose name I can’t remember because I fell asleep looking at his face. But Republican Brian Kemp received the votes and Abrams acknowledged that but declined to concede, stating that conceding would acknowledge an action that is right, true or proper.

Don’t worry. Trump has an opinion about that, too. “You mean they are just now finding votes in Florida and Georgia — but the Election was on Tuesday?” he tweeted on Nov. 9. “Let’s blame the Russians and demand an immediate apology from president Putin!”

Get it? LOL. Because Russia interfered with the 2016 election and Trump was quite possibly in on it even though he calls it a hoax and so it’s so funny to joke about when the country’s faith in democracy is already shaken to its core.

Oh, and speaking of Russia, the Republicans are peeing their pants over the new Democratic majority in the U.S. House and so Trump panic-fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions and replaced him with a guy who is younger but just as racist and terrible. Only this

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new guy, Matthew Whitaker, wants to shut down the Russia investigation and, oh hey, what’s that? It’s a constitutional crisis and it’s coming right at us!

To paraphrase a quote from the 1956 film “Godzilla, King of the Monsters,” “[Washington D.C.], a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world. There were once many people here who could've told of what they saw ... now there are only a few.”

Oh man, that sounds dire, doesn’t it? I don’t mean to be a bummer, but shit’s dire. For real.

A lot of good came out of the midterm election.

Michigan elected Dana Nessel as the state’s next attorney general, replacing Bill Schuette, the man who fought up to the Supreme Court to keep same-sex couples from being legally recognized as married. Oh, and the lawyer who fought against Schuette and won? Dana Nessel, who is also openly lesbian.

In another karmic outcome, Minnesota Democrat and lesbian Angie Craig beat the anti-LGBTQ Rep. Jason Lewis.

Massachusetts voters rejected a measure that would have taken legal protections away from transgender people.

Jared Polis became the first gay governor of Colorado.

Kansas sent Sharice Davids, who is both Native American and a lesbian, to Congress.

Zach Wahls, at just 27 years old, is now an Iowa state Senator. Wahls, you’ll remember, spoke in support of his lesbian moms in front of the Iowa House of Representatives and the video went viral.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. So there is much to celebrate.

But democracy is still in a fragile state. If we thought Trump’s behavior was bad when he had a Republican majority, we ain’t seen nothing yet.

—D'Anne Witkowski is a poet, writer and comedian living in Michigan with her wife and son. She has been writing about LGBT politics for over a decade.

Follow her on Twitter @MamaDWitkowski.t

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COMMUNITY VOICES

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GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

7

The Center, Imperial Court helps LGBT migrants Conversations with Nicole Nicole Murray Ramirez

M

ore than 3,000 immigrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have reached the Tijuana/San Diego border and more are expected this week. Nearly 100 are lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people leaving their countries because of poverty, discrimination, gangs and violence. Some have HIV/AIDS, and some are underage. The San Diego LGBT Community Center and Nicole M. Ramirez’s Latino Services Project sent bilingual staff to assist the LGBT immigrants with food, clothing, blankets and medical services.

The Imperial Court de San Diego and the International Court Council provided a $10,000 grant to help The Center and its Latino Services assistance to help the immigrants who mostly arrived with only the clothing on their backs. The Center’s new Executive Director Caroline Dessert and Latino Services Coordinator Carolina Ramos made a call out for help and assistance and we of the Imperial Court System responded. This is a reminder that we indeed are a global LGBT family and our love and compassion have no borders when it comes to our brothers and sisters. I must commend The Center for responding so quickly, especially Dessert and dedicated staff members including Ricarto Gallego, Rick Cervantes, Nijah Crenshaw and Richard Beas, who spent endless hours at the border helping the LGBT immigrants. These members of the media- and Trump-hyped “caravan” are living proof that there are people fleeing poverty and violence. I personally want to thank the International Imperial Courts, especially Sacramento and San Diego, for their help and the leadership of Emperor Terry Sidie (owner of Faces Nightclub in Reno and Sacramento), Empress La La, Empress Suzanne of

Portland, Emperor Mikie and so many others. If you would like to help, please feel free to contact me at 619-241-5672 or write a check out to: Imperial Court C/O P.O Box 33915 San Diego, CA 92163 (Memo: LGBT Migrants). Thank you so very much!

Utah and Major Brent Taylor

This past year, I have had the honor and pleasure of visiting LGBT communities in Iowa, Idaho, Utah, Nebraska, Montana, New Mexico and Arizona. I marvel at these LGBT communities for their pride and unity, with many in very conservative states with discriminatory laws, especially compared to California. I find the LGBT activists in these states to be true heroes and warriors on the front lines of our fight for LGBT equality.

Some have pride parades and festivals that attract only a few thousand, but they let their cities and towns know that they are there, and they give back to the needs of their home cities or states. I find them kinder and more welcoming and truly more of a LGBT feeling of family.

This past weekend, I was in Ogden, Utah … yes, this city has an African-American population of 2 percent and is the center of the Mormon church.

Ogden is a beautiful mountain city with not one gay bar but with a strong and visible LGBT community. In my five-day stay, I gave speeches and honored many LGBT organizations and activists. While in Ogden, there was the viewing and funeral for Major Brent Taylor, 39, a Utah National Guardsman and current North Ogden mayor who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month. He was a father of seven children, a true American hero, and his death received national attention. I had the honor of laying flowers at his gravesite on Sunday morning.

—Nicole Murray Ramirez has been writing a column since 1973. He has been a Latino/gay activist for almost half a century and has advised and served the last seven mayors of San

(l to r) Dennis and Judy Shepard are to be honored at the 43rd annual Nicky Awards on Dec. 16. (Courtesy photo)

(l to r) Sacramento businessman and Imperial Court of Sacramento Terry Sidie; Rick Cervantes, staff at The Center; and Nicole Murray Ramirez present $10,000 from the Imperial Courts to help LGBT immigrants at the border.

Diego. Named the “Honorary Mayor of Hillcrest” by a city proclamation, he has received many media awards including from the prestigious San Diego Press Club. Reach Nicole at Hillcrestqueen5@gmail.com.

Editor’s Note: The opinions written in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the staff and/or publisher of Gay San Diego and/or its parent company, San Diego Community News Network (SDCNN). The newspaper and its staff should be held harmless of liability or damages.t

Nicole Murray Ramirez placing flowers at the grave of U.S. Army Maj. Brent Tyler who was killed in Afghanistan early this month. Tyler was formally the mayor of North Ogden, Utah. (Photos by Nicole Murray Ramirez)

8

DINING

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

gay-sd.com

Cakes galore and splendid savories at gay-owned Twiggs Long-established business operates in two local neighborhoods

Restaurant Review Frank Sabatini Jr.

P

hotographs of gorgeous cakes fittingly adorn the walls at Twiggs Bakery & Coffeehouse, where buttermilk biscuits and focaccia sandwiches are as big a deal as the detailed confections that exit the kitchen each day.

It wasn’t until I started hearing wild raves about Twiggs’ multi-layered carrot cakes that I finally decided to investigate its Adams Avenue cafe, which doubles as a serious

Twiggs’ main location on Adams Avenue

bakery. The quest led me to unique corned beef hash, a couple of memorable lunch items, and sure enough, vulgarly delicious carrot cake balancing tangy cream cheese frosting with a tamely sweet and almost fruity tasting crumb.

Twiggs is owned by married couple Dan Stringfield (the timid chef/baker) and Bernie Horan (the gregarious frontline host). It dates back to 1992, when patrons hung out drinking coffee at the original University Heights location at 4590 Park Blvd., at a time when the now-forgotten joys of conversing with strangers compensated for the absence of laptops and iPads.

The couple purchased the coffeehouse from its original founders in 1997. Shortly after, Stringfield began applying his culinary skills to the operation. He had completed a chef’s program at the former California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. As a result, an impressive line of pastries, savory dishes and wedding cakes came into play, with most of the baking taking place in a kitchen across the street, where Plumeria Vegetarian now resides.

An outlet in Downtown’s El Cortez building was also launched, but the couple sold it five years later. Eventually the Adams Avenue spot materialized, and it currently supplies all the baked goods to its big sister on Park Boulevard.

The menu is more extensive in comparison, starting with a variety of omelets, scrambles, breakfast sandwiches and weekend specials that are hearty and affordable. Some of the sandwiches are made with bagels and croissants. Others employ Stringfield’s popular buttermilk biscuits, which rise to the ultimate standard of being tender, flaky and moist.

The one I tried was included on a plate of corned beef hash draped by two eggs over-easy.

After splitting it open and spreading butter and jelly inside of it, I imagined a decadent scone in some British tea house rather than something that often gets covered in gravy.

(The menu offers the biscuits as such.)

The corned beef hash was pretty marvelous, too. Available often as a weekend special, it’s made in-house and goes the extra mile by combining the chipped meat with Yukon Gold potatoes, red bell peppers, charred Anaheim chilies and coriander — not your everyday diner variety.

Squares of homemade focaccia take on various sandwich fillings such as lemon-dill tuna, tarragon chicken salad, and

Twiggs Bakery & Coffeehouse

Twiggs owners Bernie Horan and Dan Stringfield (Photos by Frank Sabatini Jr.) meatloaf made with beef and Italian sausage. I chose turkey breast slathered with housemade pesto. Fresh tomatoes in the mix oozed their juices into the fluffy bread, making it a mouthwatering sandwich that needed no other condiment beyond the pesto. It’s a sizable construct for only $7.50, which also includes a veggie salad — in this case chopped broccoli and carrots.

For a couple bucks less, open wide for a fat slice of quiche available in several varieties such as mushroom, ham, and broccoli. I chose the latter, which was as cream-laden and well-textured as any I’ve had from bakeries in Paris.

Special-occasion cakes are a big part of the business. For weddings, Stringfield says the team produces up to 40 of them a week during peak season — for LGBT and straight couples alike. The creations come in various sizes and many types.

And customized orders are always welcome.

“We’ve made a lot of cakes in the shapes of people’s cars, and we even made a cake in the shape of a helicopter for a woman’s Navy pilot husband,” he added.

When I asked the guys who made the cake for their wedding several years ago, and

2804 Adams Ave. (North Park) 619-296-4077, twiggs.org Breakfast items: Biscuit, bagel and croissant sandwiches, $3.75 to $7.50 Omelets, scrambles and burritos, $7.25 to $8.75 Lunch prices, Soups, salads and quiche, $4.50 to $7.75 Paninis, wraps and quesadillas, $5 to $8.25 what kind they chose, Horan replied: “Dan made it. It was a cake for 60 people even though we had only about 25 guests.”

The type of cake they chose was one of Twiggs’ signature offerings called Miss Hazeltine, named after the couple’s late miniature schnauzer. Imagine chocolate buttermilk crumb with chocolate cream cheese frosting. Or peruse their catalog further and prepare to be dazzled with indecision.

Twiggs is open 365 days a year, which means that pre-ordered biscuits, cakes, pies and cookies can be picked up on holidays and served to your guests pretty much straight from these industrious ovens. Better yet, everyone will know without a doubt the goods didn’t originate from a supermarket.

—Frank Sabatini Jr. is the author of ‘Secret San Diego’ (ECW Press) and began his local writing career more than two decades ago as a staffer for the former San Diego Tribune.

You can reach him at fsabatini@san.rr.com.t

(l to r) Carrot and strawberries-and-cream cakes

Pesto turkey sandwich with broccoli-carrot salad Corned beef hash and eggs with a house-made biscuit

DINING

gay-sd.com

Fast food alert: KFC is trying its hands on a dish that never falls out of vogue — chicken and waffles. The company launched the famous pairing on Nov. 12 at all locations nationally, but for only a limited time. According to an employee at the North Park location (2829 University Ave.), the promotion will stick around until Dec. 31, or possibly a little later.

The waffles are made with pearl sugar imported from Belgium. They’re paired with a choice of two crispy bone-in pieces of chicken (thigh and drum stick), or three chicken tenders or one bone-in breast piece. The cost for any option is $5.49, which includes a side of Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup. kfc.com.

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

Chicken and waffles have landed in a popular chain. (Courtesy of KFC)

ALL IS CALM THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914

By Peter Rothstein

Musical Arrangements by Erick Lichte & Timothy C. Takach

The aja cocktail made with French rum at a new San Diego speakeasy (Courtesy of Michael Ellis Public Relations)

Faux clouds hovering over the central seating area and an apothecary stocked with exotic herbs and tonics are among the intriguing elements defining a speakeasy that’s due to launch in the Convoy district in early December.

Known as Realm of the 52 Remedies, its obscure entrance is located inside Common Theory Public House, a popular restaurant and craft beer bar that opened a couple years ago.

Cris Liang, who co-owns both businesses, brought in renowned, local designer Michael Soriano to create the 1920s-style speakeasy, which is punctuated by Asian elements such as flickering

lanterns and a back-lit jade bar. Soriano has created eye-catching environments for a number of eating and drinking establishment that include Dunedin New Zealand Eats in North Park, Uptown Tavern in Hillcrest, and Vin de Syrah in the Gaslamp Quarter.

“The environment and menu selections will keep guests mystified with surprises and new discoveries no matter how many times they visit,” said Liang in a press release.

The offerings will include small plates and cocktails inspired by flavors and ingredients of the Far East. 4805 Convoy St., 619-535-0118, 52remedies.com.

Chef Quinnton Austin from New Orleans will dish up Louisiana fare at an upcoming North Park restaurant. (Courtesy of Alternative Strategies) A slice of The Big Easy is rolling into North Park with the early-2019 arrival of Louisiana Purchase

by San Diego’s Grind & Prosper Hospitality restaurant group (Miss B’s Coconut Club and Park 101). As part of a modern residential loft building called The Louisiana, the

courtyard-style venue will offer NOLA-inspired dishes by Chef Quinnton Austin, a New Orleans transplant who will raise the momentum with dishes like alligator cheesecake in crawfish cream sauce, Southern barbecue shrimp, sweet potato cornbread, and more. 2035 University Ave., louisianapurchasesd.com.

Urban Solace in North Park is changing its culinary direction.

(Photo by Frank Sabatini Jr.)

Say goodbye to Urban Solace’s long-established favorites such as chicken and dumplings, duckaroni, and braised beef cheeks. The 11-year-old restaurant, which brought comfort food to North Park before the concept was trendy, is re-directing its culinary approach.

Starting shortly after New Year’s Day, chef-owner Matt Gordon will thoroughly revise the menu with a variety of small plates and share dishes. They’ll complement an enhanced wine and cocktail program.

Gordon says the incarnation will be called Bar Solace to “reflect a more casual style of evening dining.” The menu will feature dishes that are more internationally inspired.

In the meantime, Gordon recently added breakfast and lunch, which runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., daily. Dishes include skillet pecan sticky buns, orange mascarpone French toast, various egg scrambles, warm spinach salad, and more. And for those who have come to savor the restaurant’s bluegrass brunch over the years (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays), that will remain intact. 3823 30th St., 619-295-6464, urbansolace.net.

—Frank Sabatini Jr. can be reached at fsabatini@san.rr.com.t

DECEMBER 7, 8, 9M, 2018 BALBOA THEATRE

sdopera.org/SDCNN | (619) 533-7000 Presented in conjunction with Bodhi Tree Concerts and SACRA/PROFANA ILLUSTRATION: SCOTT MCKOWEN

9

THEATER

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

10

gay-sd.com

Dickens' unwritten ending “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” a whodunit with 400 possible endings

Theater Review Jean Lowerison

C

harles Dickens had the effrontery to die in 1869 before he wrote the ending of his last novel “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,”

leaving the whodunit question unanswered for all time.

Or at least until 1985, when British-American pop songwriter Rupert Holmes did him a favor: Holmes didn’t finish the story, but instead fashioned a play-within-a-musical, which allowed the audience to decide by vote who killed Drood. Considering there are 400 possible endings here,

Full cast from “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”

that’s a considerable (and amusing) responsibility to place on the audience.

It was Holmes’ first foray into writing for theater, and he won two of the show’s five Tony Awards (for the book and the score).

OnStage Playhouse and upstart Turning Tydes Theatre Company present a rollicking co-production of the musical

Jordan Hall Campbell (Photos by Daren Scott) through Dec. 8 at OnStage, directed by Alex Bezdeka.

It’s nearly impossible to keep up with (or even count) all the characters here, partly because of the framing device: This is a troupe of music hall players presenting the Dickens tale. Let’s just say that 17 actors take care of all the goings-on.

In keeping with pantomime tradition, Georgia Ladd serves as The Chairman, the narrator/ringmaster for this circus. She is remarkable, and onstage nearly the entire time. She also plays the mayor Sapsea, accomplished with voice, attitude and minor costume changes.

Then there’s choirmaster John Jasper (Tyler C. Jiles) — cute but dictatorial — in love with the adorable orphan Rosa Bud (Summer Blinco). And Jasper’s nephew Edwin Drood (Jordan Hall Campbell), engaged (by their parents) to Rosa.

And the orphaned Landless twins Neville (Jacob Painter) and Helena (Kaitlyn Summers). Neville is handsome but a bit creepy-looking; Helena is exotic-looking.

No British play of the period is complete without a religious figure. Here, it’s the Rev. Mr. Crisparkle (Patrick O’Connor), who may have other than godly intentions.

Then there’s Durdles, the headstone carver (the Dickens version of Shakespeare’s gravedigger), played with great working-class panache by Allen Hopkins. Durdles (who knows where the bodies are buried) has an assistant, the young Deputy (Hourie Klijian).

But my hands-down favorite is down-to-earth decadent Princess Puffer (Kat Fitzpatrick), proprietor of a London opium den, who sees to her customers’ chemical needs.

Georgia Ladd and cast

“The Mystery of Edwin Drood” Plays through Dec. 8 OnStage Playhouse 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.

Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets: 619-422-7787 onstageplayhouse.org Fitzpatrick steals every scene she’s in, and gets a great song (“The Wages of Sin”) to boot.

Don’t get the idea that anything serious is going on here.

This is a winking throwback to the genre, cast with several wonderful singing actors I’d not seen on local stages. I hope to see more of them.

Kudos to director Alex Bezdeka for keeping all those balls in the air and making the audience enjoy all the mayhem.

This is a multi-talented group. Candace Carbajal (also playing Sarah Cook) gives the show amusing choreography, and Jordan Hall Campbell (also playing The Chairman) is credited with musical direction. This production is done with recorded orchestra, but tapes and singers merge flawlessly.

If you’re looking for relief from the hectic holidays, it’s hard to resist a show where the audience is advised to “loosen your corsets and enjoy yourselves.”

—Jean Lowerison is a long-standing member of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle and can be reached at infodame@cox.net.t

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INTERVIEW / NEWS

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

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FROM PAGE 4

INTERVIEW Was reconciling your Christian upbringing with your acceptance of homosexuality a challenge for you?

I guess it was a little – it was. But I loved him. I have to say I loved him, so I felt it was on me to shift my thinking and it was up to me to understand him. I will say I went with it, but it was my first introduction to understanding it. When I was on Facebook, I did have my Facebook friend Nika (Lomazzo, a trans woman and activist) and she really schooled me. So every day I would go to her site and she would school me and I said, “I’ve been to school; I’m just gonna learn.”

She’s a trans woman, so I was schooled (with) just certain language.

The first time you kiss a same-sex love interest played by Famke Janssen – did your mother ever see that episode of ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ even though you didn’t want her to?

Yep! You said that you weren’t gonna show it to her.

I didn’t show it to her! She saw it on her own!

And? She was good with it – because my niece is gay and at 9,

Viola Davis stars in “Widows” (Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox) 10 years old, she told her mom, my sister: “Mom, I like girls,” and my sister said, “OK. Well, are you OK?” She said, “I think I’m fine.” She was like, “OK, well I’m good too.” And that was their conversation.

You starred in one of the most notable queer films ever made: Todd Haynes’ ‘Far From Heaven.’ How do you reflect on your role in that film?

The maid? I liked that movie. I loved that movie.

And the role?

I mean, the role was a maid.

I’m done with the maids. But that was in the beginning of my career. I wasn’t really awoke then – not as awoken as I am.

You recently admitted to having issues with “The Help.”

Yeah, I did.

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Looking back on ‘The Help’ and ‘Far From Heaven,’ what has that taught you about the importance of representation for the black and LGBTQ community?

I guess I already knew it then, too, but I never thought that I had any power. I was just happy to have a job.

But I think it’s important to be seen, it’s important to see your own images on the screen – and in a way that is honest.

The reason I became an actor, and it’s absolutely the reason why I became an actor: I’m a total nerd and I fell in love with Arthur Miller. He said he wrote to make people feel less alone, and that’s why I do what I do. Seriously, that’s why I do what I do. I seriously do. And so I feel responsible for any image I put out there that makes people feel alone, that makes people feel not seen, that doesn’t show fully who they are – their anger, their pain, their joy, their sexuality. That’s your job as an artist, so yeah, that’s where I’m at right now.

FROM PAGE 1

EQUALITY community — attempting to ban them from military service, and strip away their rights currently protected under federal legislation. Approximately 1.4 million Americans identify as transgender.

On Veterans Day, Equality California and Coors Light honored local transgender veterans and military members at Uptown Tavern. This year’s honorees are veterans Zander Keig and Veronica Zerrer, and active duty service member Akira Wyatt.

Coors Light’s Tap Into Change program donated $25,000 to Equality Federation. With this funding, it will support its member organizations to build larger campaigns, hold leadership development trainings and strengthen volunteer effort.

Andrea Cubitt, Equality California’s board director, said that this recognition of transgender equality in the military was special on Veterans Day, as Nov. 11 also marked the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. Cubitt said as a British immigrant, she recognizes the value of

Have you considered the importance of you not just portraying a lesbian but a lesbian of color, a demographic so rarely portrayed on screen, and the impact that could have on the LGBTQ community?

I’ve been offered, I played: “God’s Heart” with Julie Kavner. We were lesbians.

I played a lesbian in “King Lear.” It was a workshop production (at the Public Theater in New York) and actually the guy who directed it was one of the people who put together “Paris Is Burning” and he set “King Lear” in one of the gay (ball-culture) “houses” of the ’90s. And I didn’t do it, because the director told me at the last minute I probably should’ve done it, but he wanted me to compete in those gay house shows. You have to be a man pretending to be a woman or a woman pretending to be a man and the more real you are, that’s a whole competition. It’s about being as real as you can be. To me, that was the best role I’d ever done, by the way.

Bar none. TV, film. It was the best role.

Why was your role in ‘King Lear’ so special to you?

Because I had to play a lesbian who was pretending to be a man and I went home – I am telling you, I said, “I am gonna hit this” (bangs fist against palm). So I felt like I really transformed into a man.

I thought it was totally believable! And Nicole Ari Parker was my girlfriend! Every time we see each other, I’m like, (excitedly waves her arms) “Hey!” I feel like gay men must come up to you all the time and quote Annalise’s iconic line, “Why is your penis a strong military and the bravery of active duty service members and veterans that utilize their lives to protect America’s freedoms to this day.

“Never forget the brave sacrifices that some of our veterans have sacrificed [made] for us in the course of protecting us,” Cubitt said. “As Americans, we have so more many things that unite us than divide us. It is important to keep sight of the core values of the America we cherish.

Equality for everyone, justice and opportunity.

“Tonight we are here to celebrate our brave active duty and veterans that continue to be strong advocates to the community and relentless fighters for LGBT rights for our community and to step up and make amazing things happen,” Cubitt continued.

Zander Keig said he was also thankful for the recognition, and especially proud to represent the U.S. Coast Guard.

“I just want to say thank you to the service that gave me a lot. And from that, I’ve gone many, many places and done many things,” he said.

U.S. Army veteran Veronica Zerrer said that the Army taught her values that she can always take with her.

gay-sd.com on a dead girl’s phone?” Is that line still following you around?

I mean, I don’t know what it is about that line – maybe just ’cause it was so unexpected!

So I keep quoting or thinking about Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” because I feel like gay men like that movie too. I love that movie. And there’s a lot of reasons why. I think it’s Judy Garland too, you know?

Right, a gay icon.

Yeah. You understand why.

But also, this is my thing: She keeps talking about going home and wanting to go home, and then in the end the Good Witch tells her (she) had the power to go home all along. I know, even as a black woman, that feeling.

I have the power within to be the change I wanna see, to have the life I wanna have; it’s already in me.

People strip us of our worth and the potency of our worth and the potency of our power so much. I see it because ... listen, I’m socialized on steroids (laughs). The number of people I meet every day who interview me, who I have to meet at parties and social gatherings, because I’m an actor – one of the things I’ve noticed, ’cause I love looking at different reporters who come in and imagining who they are, who they love, and I love it. And there have been (people) who come in from the LGBTQ community – and now there’s more trans men, trans women reporters, and it’s a “coming out” and stepping into who you are. You gotta love it.

—Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the international LGBT wire service.

Reach him via his website at chris-azzopardi.com and on Twitter, @chrisazzopardi.t “Those values are trust, respect and the values embodied in the U.S. Constitution,” Zerrer said. “Nobody that is serving in the military is not wanting to have their lives taken, but if it is taken, there is no better way than in serving the Constitution. Those are ideals that all of us share, all of us live and breathe when we walk outside. For this honor, I feel very humbled.”

Akira White, active duty U.S. Navy hospital corpsman, said it was important to know that the LGBT community is well represented in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“As an active duty service member, I wanted to let everybody know that we are here,” White said. “We are still going to fight for equality regardless of what’s going to happen in the future. Thank you to the veterans that have gone before me. They have taught me a lot.”

MillerCoors works to promote equality by donating a percentage of sales to nonprofits in support of LGBT communities nationwide. It works with local bars and restaurants to promote equality and the advancement of diversity and inclusion.

—Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

NEWS

gay-sd.com

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

13

Race for the Cure Covering Balboa Park in pink

By Jules Shane Balboa Park was awash in a sea of pink on Nov. 4 as more than 9,000 people came to support the cause of ending breast cancer. The 22nd annual Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure (KSDRC) brought the park along Sixth Avenue to life in the early morning, where hundreds of tents assembled alongside a full-sized stage.

Venders offered samples and refreshments, local health care providers shared success stories, and sponsors handed out pink keepsakes to participants.

At 7:30 a.m., the opening ceremony commenced with survivors and KSDRC organization members taking the stage to share their stories and honor those in San Diego and around the world who are fighting breast cancer.

President and CEO of Komen San Diego, Shaina Gross, commemorated the success of previous years’ races and rallied participants of this year’s to continue to help fund and support breast cancer awareness and treatment. As of this year, it is predicted that roughly 12 percent of women in America will develop some form of invasive breast cancer throughout her life, about 1 in 8 odds. Komen San Diego has a local board of directors that determine what programs to fund with the money raised from the event.

“That’s what’s important about this race is that 75 percent of all the funds that are raised stay here in San Diego to help provide services and support for women and their

families,” said incoming board chair Merrilee Neal, noting that the remaining “25 percent goes to international research.”

Funds go on to offer complimentary health services such as mammograms, biopsies, and MRIs to local residents who might otherwise be unable to access them. Additionally, Komen San Diego provides free cancer treatments including surgery and chemotherapy for those who cannot afford their often-debilitating costs.

This year’s race raised more than $800,000 to be put towards the organization’s mission of helping those in need navigate the arduous process of beating breast cancer. The Komen San Diego 3-Day further expanded these funds on Nov. 16–18 as people walked 60 miles over the course of three days to raise awareness about breast cancer and in support of being the generation to discover a cure for the disease. With hundreds of participants, this event raised more than $6.3 million, bringing a total to date of $126.3 million raised.

“We cannot thank our amazing 3-Day family enough for their time and dedication to this cause,” said Carrie Stovall, Susan G. Komen senior director of events, in a press release.

“Every step they take and every dollar they raise gets us closer to the day when we can finally say goodbye to breast cancer forever. Their passion is inspiring.”

Participants trained and fundraised in preparation for the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day. The event fosters lifelong friendships and

Farewell to Stan Lee

By Jules Shane With the death of Stan Lee, the comic world mourns the loss of one of the most influential and insightful minds the industry has ever known. From humble beginnings at Marvel’s predecessor, Timely Comics, Lee made his writing debut with Captain America #3 in 1941, using the pen name “Lee” as opposed to his last name Lieber.

He would go on to help create some of the most iconic heroes from the American silver age of comics. The artist was also known as a towering business magnate, leading the Marvel company through tough times as the industry faltered in the ’70s and ’80s, eventually becoming the face of Marvel Comics.

His influence on American pop culture is as pervasive as it is colorful, and his cameo appearances in what has become the largest film franchise in history have become a mainstay with audiences.

Bob Koppy, the owner and purveyor of Empire Collectibles in City Heights, shared the appreciation of Lee’s knack for the business element of comics.

“Stan Lee excelled at being a

(Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons)

promoter and a face for Marvel Comics during the 1960s,” Koppy said.

But as much as he did for promoting Marvel and its properties, Koppy noted Lee’s impact on the heroes and stories the company sold.

“Lee was responsible for bringing the X-Men to Jack Kirby and for bringing a little more characterization to the Fantastic 4 so that everyone wasn’t just getting along as friends all the time,” he continued.

—Jules Shane can be reached at jshaneap@gmail.com.t

Team Double Bubbles (Photos by Jules Shane) memories, while providing the community a moving opportunity to honor those who have battled and for those who continue to fight breast cancer. Participants spent the weekend walking through San Diego communities and camping in pink tents each night.

The event, which began early Friday morning at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, concluded with a moving closing ceremony at Waterfront Park.

For more information, please visit The3Day.org.

—Jules Shane can be reached at jshaneap@gmail.com.t

Thousands of people gathered at Balboa Park for the 22nd annual Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure on Nov. 4.

events @TheCenTer Tuesday, nov. 27, 9 am-9 pm

Through Mon, Dec. 31

Catch The Center’s #GivingTuesday Facebook Live Spectacular every two hours starting at 9am, Tuesday, 11.27, bringing you #CenterSupporters, Center staff, a surprise performance, and visits to some favorite Hillcrest hot spots! Just wait to see who might drop by! We’ll be doing live shout outs and those who make a donation, sign up to give monthly or increase their monthly donation will get props live! Set a reminder to Tuesday, 11.27 and join us on #GivingTuesday as we go live to support our LGBTQ youth in #BeatingTheOdds and strengthening our youth services and programs! Make your holiday gift at www.thecentersd.org/youth

The mission of the Young Professionals Council (YPC) is to develop and empower young LGBT professionals and their allies through the YPC Academy. The Academy helps to expand the ranks of young LGBT leaders that are ready to further equality for our community through board service for a variety of agencies, not-for-profit organizations and government commissions. Approximately 20 candidates will be selected for the 2019 class. Applications and supporting documentation must be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, December 31, 2018 to be considered. For more information and the application, visit bit.ly/2019Academy.

The Center’s Spectacular on #GivingTuesday!

Saturday, Dec. 8

Come home for the holidays!

5-8 pm, The Center Join us as we gather to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions within the San Diego LGBT Community!

Family friendly and free to all. Come dance with our DJ’s festive music, learn something new and meet your “neighbors!” Holiday refreshments will be provided by community host organizations. For more information, contact Sarah at 619.692.2077 x214 or smerkbenitez@thecentersd.org.

2019 YPC Academy Applications Open

Tuesdays starting 1.8.19

Acting Class Series Instructor Dana Hooley invites you to an 8-week Acting Class Series, limited to 12 students. The class will take place on Tuesdays from 10 am to 12 noon, beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 8 and ending on Feb. 26. Course fee is $125 for the entire series. The class will consist of scene-study and monologues. For further information and registration contact Dana at 619.723.1421 or danathummipad@icloud.com.

www.thecentersd.org The San Diego LGBT Community Center 3909 Centre Street • 619-692-2077 Twitter: @LGBTCenter

facebook.com/At.The.Center

14

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

Ongoing events

‘Jingle’ with SDGMC — The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus has begun selling tickets for their holiday annual holiday show, “Jingle.” The show promises a range of holiday favorites from “White Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” and “O Holy Night,” to modern classics like “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Suzy Snowflake,” and the recent “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”

Make Jingle part of your holiday tradition. Tickets range from $19-$29. Show is Sunday, Dec. 9 at 6 p. m. Located at the Sycuan Casino’s Live and UpClose Stage, 5469 Casino Way. bit.ly/2quZaiD Stonewall Salon — The Diversionary Theatre will host auditions for its Stonewall Salon theater workshop, which opens the stage to older adults interested in studying stagecraft. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of an LGBT+Allied group, meet new friends, and try new things in a casual and fun environment.

Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 15‑Feb. 28 from 10 a. m.-noon at the Diversionary Theatre, with performances scheduled for March 1 and 2 at 2 p. m. on the Diversionary mainstage.

Free. 4545 Park Blvd. bit.ly/stonewallsalon.

Lambda Archives Donation Match — The Lambda Archives has announced a pledge from the California Institute of Contemporary Arts, which has agreed to match all donations to the Archives until Dec. 31. You can help by making a one-time donation, start or renew your membership, or set up a recurring monthly donation. bit.ly/donateLambda.

‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ — Tickets are now on sale for The Old Globe Theatre’s 21st annual presentation of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” which runs this year through Dec. 29 and returns with its sensory-friendly performance for children on the autism spectrum. A seasoned cast and crew bring this holiday classic to life each year. Tickets range from $19-$79. 1363 Old Globe Way. bit.ly/2QnvGP0

gay-sd.com The Fires of Creation — The Fleet Science Center will open a new film running through Dec. 12 on its IMAX screen titled "Volcanos: The Fires of Creation." Playing in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, the new film follows naturalist Carsten Peter as he explores volcanoes in Indo nesia, lava lakes in Vanuatu and acid ponds Ethiopia. The film also explores never before seen shots of the archeological ghost town of Pompeii, hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean and the effects of this year’s Kilauea eruption in Hawaii. IMAX shows included with price of general admission. bit.ly/2Peq5ha ‘This Beautiful City’ — The Diversionary Theatre presents its rendition of “This Beautiful City,” a musical exploring faith and the organized resistance against gay rights. Show is extended through Dec. 16 with tickets ranging from $15-$30.

4545 Park Blvd. bit.ly/2QlmXg8.

‘Struggles and Triumphs’ — The San Diego History Center in partnership with the Lambda Archives of San Diego brings the firstever exhibition in Balboa Park focused on the history of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community.

Visitors will experience and learn about the struggles to overcome persecution, the battle with AIDS, bullying and intolerance, the power of the community, and the tremendous strides taken in the fight for equal rights.

The exhibit curator is noted author and historian Lillian Faderman. Runs through January 2020. 1649 El Prado, Suite #3. bit.ly/2o5PrxG

Thursday, Nov. 22

Thanksgiving Day

Saturday, Nov. 24

Small Business Saturday On the busiest shopping day of the year, this day is also dedicated to shopping at your local small businesses.

It is a day of recognition to celebrate and support the small businesses and the work that they do in the community. bit.ly/2FCa1Bz

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ — Returning for its second year at San Diego Musical Theatre, “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” is playing through Dec. 24. The heartwarming holiday is retold in the tradition of a live 1940s-era radio broadcast. This play is staged with live Foley effects and a score of holiday tunes. Thursdays: 7:30 p. m.; Fridays: 8 p. m.; Saturdays: 4 and 8 p. m. Sundays at 2 p. m. Tickets: $30-$60.

444 Fourth Ave. bit.ly/2DA3Vzd

by 12 of Adams Avenue’s most talented bartenders from the area’s popular restaurants and bars.

Between cocktails, indulge yourself with treats from several sweet-stop popup shops added to this year’s Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll! Now you can sip and eat while you shop at 21 Adams Avenue retail locations.

Free trolley available.

Limited to 500 tickets, so get yours early. On Nov. 24 beginning at 1 p. m., there will be a will call ticket booth located at Smitty’s Auto. Bring your receipt and/or a photo ID to claim your ticket. Your ticket will not be emailed to you.

No sharing of tickets is allowed. Ages 21 and up only. $20 advanced tickets. $25 day of event.

3442 Adams Ave. bit.ly/2TrKeiv

Saturday, Dec. 1

Tuesday, Nov. 27

Giving Tuesday Always the Tuesay after Thanksgiving, the Giving Tuesday movement creates an international day of giving at the beginning of the holiday season. #GivingTuesday.

Givingtuesday.org.

Thursday, Nov. 29

Spirit Stroll — Ring in the holiday season during the 4th annual Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll taking place on Small Business Saturday. Sample holidaythemed cocktails curated

LGBTQIA+ teen book club — Come join us for a book discussion with Leah Thomas, the author of the book “Because You'll Never Meet Me.” Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet. Ollie is allergic to electricity. Contact with it causes debilitating seizures. Moritz’s weak heart is kept pumping by an electronic pacemaker.

If they ever did meet, Ollie would seize. But Moritz would die without his pacemaker. Both hermits from society, the boys develop a fierce bond through letters that

Truax Ceremony & Reception — The Dr. A. Brad Truax Award was created to honor the memory of Dr. Truax and his contributions to the HIV/AIDS effort in San Diego. The award is given annually to recognize the outstanding overall contributions made by a person involved in the struggle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our community. Additionally, awards are given in each of the following three categories: HIV Education, Prevention and/or Counseling & Testing; HIV Care, Treatment and/or Support Services; HIV Planning, Advocacy and/or Policy Development, and each nominee is acknowledged as a Community Award Recipient. The Awards Ceremony will include light refreshments and displayed art.

Spanish interpretation will be provided. Followed by the 27th annual Mama’s Kitchen Tree of Life Lighting Ceremony at Village Hillcrest, The Center. Free. 3:30 –5 p. m.

3909 Centre St. bit.ly/2Dx59est

QSyndicate.com

Q Q PUZZLE PUZZLE

solution on page 11

GAY MARTYR

DOWN

ACROSS

1 20 minutes, to Sue Wicks 5 Biathlete's slats 9 Roadies' burdens 13 What comes to mind 14 Make less difficult to bear 15 Simba's love, on Broadway 16 Disneyland street 17 “Look ___, I'm Sandra Dee” 18 Rotary phone feature 19 With 48-Across, 2014 movie about a gay martyr 22 “Hey, sailor!”

23 Davis of “Commander in Chief” 24 Fruit that's the color purple 27 Put on display 29 Morales of “Resurrection Blvd.”

30 Skater Mattis 31 “Bali ___” 34 2000 play about a gay martyr (with “The”) 38 “... a rose by ___ other name...”

become a lifeline during dark times — as Ollie loses his only friend, Liz, to the normalcy of high school and Moritz deals with a bully set on destroying him.

A story of impossible friendship and hope under strange circumstances, this debut is powerful, dark and humorous in equal measure. These extraordinary voices bring readers into the hearts and minds of two special boys who, like many teens, are just waiting for their moment to shine. For ages 12–18. Free. 5 – 6 p. m. San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd. bit.ly/2zjfjwi

39 Bannon and Northrop 40 Dixie Chicks' “Goodbye ___” 41 “The Name of the Rose” characters 43 Composer whose name sounds like a dagger part 45 Flies like an eagle 47 Strap on a stallion 48 See 19-Across 53 A little behind 54 “Kiss of the Spider Woman” setting 55 Moves the head 57 Gomer's “opposed to” 58 Weight loss product 59 Infatuated with Mr. Right Now 60 Fender bender evidence 61 Rimbaud's zip 62 Where to stick your tool

1 “Hymn to ___” of “My Fair Lady” 2 Gay video directory name 3 Future queen of “Star Wars” 4 Disney movie with a sorcerer 5 Time of the year 6 Najimy of “If These Walls Could Talk 2” 7 Demi Lovato's “This ___” 8 Penetrate the cracks 9 “Evita” composer ___ Lloyd Webber 10 Women's restroom?

11 Bagel variety 12 Music style for Ricky Martin 20 Howe'er 21 Part of a club name 24 Words before Hoya 25 Straight ___ arrow 26 Peter Pan portrayer 27 Dips in gravy 28 Heston's “Ben ___” 30 Pride places 32 Suburban plot

33 “___ put hair on your chest!”

35 Home for Troy Perry 36 Pen contents 37 LGBTQ rights activist Jazz 42 Set straight 43 “Battle Cry” actor Van 44 Draw a bead on 45 Mixed-up fruits, perhaps 46 No longer jail bait 47 Bea Arthur's TV maid Esther 49 Home st. of Maupin 50 Where you can eat a hero 51 He cruised with a bear pair 52 Slight advantage 56 Like McCullers' cafe

OPINION

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MICHAEL KIMMEL Psychotherapist Author of "Life Beyond Therapy" in Gay San Diego 5100 Marlborough Drive San Diego CA 92116 (619)955-3311 www.LifeBeyondTherapy.com

Attic treasures (www.canstockphoto.com)

11 items in your attic that might be worth big bucks

By Mikey Rox Attic treasures are slowly becoming a thing of the past.

Many of us are living more efficiently with less clutter lying around the house and barely any room for additional storage anyway. I’ve never even opened the hatch to the attic in my house – mostly because that horror-movie-waiting-to-happen can stay locked away for eternity for all I care.

Yet while younger generations don’t have a need or desire to take advantage of attic space – if they even have it – our parents and grandparents were basically functioning hoarders who stuffed the rafters to the gills will potential treasures. What sort of bounty is tucked away up there? Take a look at these 11 items in your attic that might be worth big bucks.

1. Sterling silver and enameled metal pieces While silver and gold fluctuate in price on the markets, they’ll never not be valuable.

And since sterling was relatively cheap back in the day, it’s feasible that your family could have a few pieces that demand a pretty penny.

“For pieces that retain their value over time, look to precious metal antiques including sterling silver flatware, tea sets, and also enameled metal pieces like Cloisonné and Champleve,” advises Michael de Bondt, an antique buyer and estate sales dealer in Sarasota, Florida. “Because of the workmanship and level of quality in these items, they can be worth money for decades or longer and remain more stable than trending antiques and collectibles.”

2. Far East antiques De Bondt adds that Far East antiques also hold their value for a long time.

“The hottest items now that people might have lurking in attics from grandma’s parlor are Asian pieces,” he says.

“We especially like Chinese snuff bottles, antique urns and bronze pieces.”

3. Musical instruments “Any musical instrument can have huge value, but especially guitars,” explains David Kalt, founder and CEO of Reverb. com, an online marketplace for guitars and gear.

He says, for instance, that popular guitars from the 1960s could be attic treasures, including vintage Fender, Gibson and acoustic guitars.

4. Obsolete electronics As reported by Mashable, even the most outdated electronic devices are sought after, like the Imagination Machine that pulled in $900 on eBay. But even if you don’t have little-known vintage electronics, you can still cop a decent amount of green with your old Nintendo items, like a 20-yearold Super Nintendo game that sold for $81; dusty and totally defunct Betamaxes; and Apple products, like the Apple II+, which commanded $102 at eBay auction.

5. Childhood toys and games Kevin Bernhard, owner of the Rust-and-Shine vintage and handmade market in Baltimore, reveals that sales for vintage toys and game boxes are especially healthy.

“Most people think they are trash, but people buy them to reunite a toy with its original packaging, or just use it as art,” he said.

Another decent moneymaker is the fast food and cartoon character collector glassware from the 1980s.

“With ’80s kids now having disposable income, they are being bought up like crazy.

There’s just something fun about drinking an adult beverage out of a glass that you used to sip apple juice out of,” says Bernhard. “Another favorite are stuffed animals from the ’80s and early ’90s. Alf, Teddy Ruxpin and My Buddy dolls fly off the shelves.”

6. Coins Most coins will always be worth their face value — even if that has diminished over the years thanks to inflation.

see The Frivolist, pg 16

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

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ARTS / OPINION

GAY SAN DIEGO Nov. 23 - Dec. 6, 2018

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“I’ve loved the tarot for a long time and I always wanted to do one,” Phillips said.

“Finally, I started doing it as my art therapy and little by little it got momentum. It is a limited edition so the people that have already contributed and got it funded have first priority, but I'll have other copies for sale. It has gilded edges and it's quite beautiful.”

The art show was enlightening and eventful. Books and artwork were sold, and Phillips personally signed each and every purchase.

“Tonight is wonderful,” Phillips said at the event.

“The place is really beautiful, and I love how it is all laid out and everybody has been so sweet. You work alone when you are at home drawing and you don’t get to see people. So when you get a chance to get out and you connect the faces, that’s really good.”

The original artwork for Phillips’ tarot cards will be displayed at Alexander Salazar Fine Art in Downtown in early December. Salazar is also the point of contact in order to purchase Phillips’ artwork in its various layouts.

Alexander Salazar Fine Art is open by appointment only.

To learn more about Joe Phillips, visit joephillips. com.

To contact Alexander Salazar Fine Art, call 619531-8996 or email As@ AlexanderSalazarFineArt. com.

—Albert Fulcher can be reached at albert@sdcnn.com.t

Volume 9 Issue 6 March 16-29, 2018

FROM PAGE 15

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2 NEWS

Candidate Malbrough speaks, Nordstrom drops out

BEATING THE ODDS

Dockless bikes in Hillcrest

q INTERVIEW

By William E. Kelly Editor’s Note: This is the second in a three-part series.

Read the first in the series online at bit.ly/2tGWqD9.

Liz Carmouche, a 125-pound bantamweigh t women's MMA fighter, is ranked No. (Courtesy of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu) 6 in the world.

Former Christian rocker comes out

First openly lesbian fighter makes Albert H. Fulcher | Editor In 2010, when Liz Carmouche decided she wanted to compete in the MMA (mixed martial arts) professionally, she did so with a “head on” approach. She was

i THEATER

her way to the top of MMA rankings

told it would take a year or more of training before she ever saw the ring. But the veteran Marine Corps aviation electrician beat the odds, getting her first chance to fight professionally within four months of starting her training.

Now after 11 wins and six losses, Carmouche is currently the No. 6 ranked 125-pound bantamweight women’s MMA fighter in the world.

see MMA, pg 11

Homelessness in the LGBTQ comm unity

Mayor brings interfaith discussion Albert H. Fulcher | Editor

OnStage Playhouse's "Spike Heels"

o

DINING

Magic with cast iron

Index Opinion

6

Classifieds

21

Calendar

22

Puzzle

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Contact us

The Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) has been an effective program for the homeless throughout San Diego County, so far helping 8,000 homeless individuals gain access to resources and services to get their lives back on track.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer joined the (ISN) in asking LGBT-friendly congregations to join the network and open their doors to homeless individuals at the ISN Summit on March 5 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.

“We know there are a number of LGBTQ individuals experiencing homelessness and they need our help. That’s why we are asking LGBTQ-friendly congregations, who understand their needs, to join our care network and provide a temporary place for them to begin turning their lives around,” said Faulconer in a press release.

to LGBT–affirming congregations

Candidate Ken Malbrough

(l to r) ISN Summit panelists, The Very Rev. Penny Bridges, Trisha Brereton, Fernando Lopez, Gary Owen, and Jonathan Herrera (Photo by Albert H. Fulcher)

The ISN Summit discussion addressing the summit. “This panel consisted of The Very is a network that works and Rev. Penny Bridges, dean, with your help and participaSt. Paul’s Cathedral; Trisha tion, I think you will see the Brereton, ISN executive dibenefits in so many ways. That rector; Fernando Lopez, San is why I am optimistic about Diego LGBT Pride executive our opportunities to begin makdirector; Gary Owen, ISN voling a real difference.” unteer; and Jonathan Herrera, Faulconer said that combatsenior advisor on homelessne ss ting homelessness is about crecoordination for the city of San ating that safe space for those Diego. in need, regardless of someone’s “You all represent the fabrace, color, religion, gender, sexric of our city for wanting to ual orientation, national origin, do the right thing and helpage or disabilities. ing people get back on their feet,” Faulconer said when see ISN,

● Opening statement “The county has $2 billion in reserve tax dollars just floating in a cloud of unknown use by county supervisors,” Malbrough said.

He said he pledges to “seek community input” on how these reserve tax dollars can best be utilized and would like to see them invested in “chronically neglected or underfunded areas,” such as housing and public safety in underserved communities.

“My priority is reducing our homelessness epidemic and addressing this issue region-wide,” he said.

“Providing access to health and human services is the primary and more affordable method to avoid the pathway to homelessness and incarceration.”

pg 15

Editorial/Letters

see Candidates, pg 5

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On June 5, San Diego County will hold primary elections for the following seats: county board of supervisors; county assessor/ recorder/county clerk; county treasurer/tax collector; district attorney; county sheriff; county board of education members; community college district members; and superior court judges.

In the first of this series, I spoke to Omar Passons and Lori Saldana, two of the six candidates I interviewed who wish to represent District 4 on the San Diego County board of supervisors .

Each candidate I spoke to agreed to focus on the challenges facing seniors, and was offered the opportunity to state their priorities, objectives, goals and plans to address and achieve those priorities, as well as share their experience and qualifications.

Following are the highlights of responses by candidates Ken Malbrough and Marcia Nordstrom.

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THE FRIVOLIST But some coins, especially rare ones in excellent condition, far exceed their original value. The same goes for paper money, too, which isn’t uncommon to find in attics previously owned by war-era families and veterans.

There are several options on where to sell your coins and cash — like to a coin shop, physical auction, and an online auction or marketplace — but first you should have the value appraised by a reputable source.

7. Vintage magazines and newspapers On eBay, a lot of 11 vintage Seventeen magazines from 1961 and ’62 sold for nearly $50, while a single issue of Vogue magazine from April 15, 1968, was up to $36.99 from nine bids on eBay four days before its auction expiration.

8. Costume and designer jewelry “Signed pieces of designer jewelry are often a great place to find value: Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Raymond Yard, David Webb — all these brands have been around for decades, and in some cases over

Photos of illustrations by Joe Phillips on sale at the exhibit at insideOUT on Nov. 15. (Photos by Albert H. Fulcher) a century,” says Anup Jogani, founder and CEO of Jogani Beverly Hills, a dealer in antique and vintage gems and jewelry. “Finding a piece with one of these iconic signatures means a good payday coming your way.”

Let’s not forget about costume jewelry, either. I’ve seen costume jewelry sell rapidly and for a decent fee – $100 per small box – at a yard sale that I co-hosted with a neighbor. It was part of his mother’s collection, which wasn’t particularly worth much in terms of quality or craftsmanship, but the pieces were nice enough to catch one buyer’s attention, and that’s really all you need.

9. Comic books A quick look on eBay revealed a few heavy hitters, like a lot of 1,712 Gold, Silver and Bronze Age Avengers No. 1 comic books approaching $7,200 with one day left on bidding; “The Amazing SpiderMan” No. 6 from November 1963 bid at $163.50; and a “The Brave and the Bold” title from 1955 at $128.50 with five days to go.

10. Furniture Reader’s Digest suggests consulting Kovels’ Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide to establish your bearings

in the vintage and antique furniture world, while paying particular attention to Stickley Mission Oak, Arts and Crafts, and HeywoodWakefield brands. Items that might seem like a boon but are really a bust include 1920s and ’30s dining sets that are reproductions of 16th- and 17th-century pieces.

“They look like they came out of a castle,” dealer J. Michael Flanigan told Reader’s Digest, “but they were produced by the tens of thousands out of places like Grand Rapids.”

11. Sports trading cards Considering the amount of time that’s passed and the number of sports trading cards that may be hidden away in the attic, you could have a nice chunk of change coming your way. Upper Deck has a beginners’ guide on how to start sorting through your cards before you approach a shop on the actual retail value.

—Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. He spends his time writing from the beach with his dog Jaxon. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @mikeyrox.t