LGBTQ San Diego County News October 2022 Volume 4 Issue 1

BUsINess

C OUrT News

Jordan

healTh

Mayor Gloria’s

c ounty

gOlDBeCk

anessa Goldbeck was born and raised in San Diego County and has built her career around creating a safer and more equitable world for all.

She is the CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, a national nonprofit organization with over 1.5 million members. Led by veterans, Vet Voice Foundation mobilizes veterans and military families to have a voice in our democracy by providing them with the support, training, and tools to shape policy and impact outcomes in their communities.

Janessa, a Marine Corps veteran, deployed overseas as a Combat Engineer Officer, managing engineering, logistics, and explosive ordnance disposal missions. She also served as a Uniformed Victim Advocate, providing care to service members who experienced sexual assault.

After discovering that some jobs in the military were closed to women due to the Combat Exclusion policy, Janessa volunteered to participate in Department of Defense-led research on gender integration in combat arms units. During this research, she volunteered for an infantry course officially closed to women. Following her experience,

LGBTQ+

SPOTLiGhT

Janessa Goldbeck

The Transgender health and Wellness center continued from Page 1

History then and now will always affect our feelings and struggles. Sometimes, unfortunately, we just do not listen to each other, and our conversations become invalid instead of helpful. Overall, I still believe in my heart that our community is so full of compassion and love to show that we do care about each other’s way of life. My goal with this article is to try and allow all of us to be more aware, caring, educated and exhibit how any of us can get involved with a group of our Transgender and NonBinary siblings whose lives are attacked daily.

My dear friend Miss Naya Marie Velazco (she/her) is the Director of Programs at Transgender Health and Wellness Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Transgender Health and Wellness Center was established in 2018 in the Inland Empire, which is a metropolitan area in the inland region adjacent to coastal Southern California, centering on the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside, and bordering Los Angeles County to the west. Since its conception, the wellness center has grown substantially and is now taking over the southern region of California with locations in Palm Springs, Riverside, and San Diego.

The great things that the Center provides and specializes in are permanent hair removal with electrolysis and lasers, resurfacing, and rejuvenation. The agency is recognized by California to be known as the largest employer of Transgender people. They are also well known for their employment program by sponsoring more than six Transgender and Non-Binary people while they attend school to become California Licensed Electrologists, and then providing a promising career within the wellness center with a $70$80k annual salary.

The Transgender Health and Wellness Center provides FREE behavioral health services and specializes in indi vidual, group, couples, youth, adults, and seniors, while promising long-term therapy. The behavioral health team writes letters of necessity for those seeking to acquire gender affirmation surgery and other lifesaving treatments and it does not stop there. The Center also provides a variety of robust programs that include The Transgender Non-Binary and Intersex Employment Taskforce, which is a network of employers in California that prioritize hiring the gender diverse and Intersex community.

Those who are seeking to improve their LGBTQ+ cultural sensitivity and take a deeper dive into learning more about Transgender and Non-Binary people can benefit greatly from the agency’s newly enhanced Training Institute. Other services include legal aid services, case management, peer support and advocacy, support groups and socials, and a new Valued Volunteer Program with over 86 participants.

Naya was kind enough to invite me to join their Trans and Non-Binary Tuesday, a recurring social event facilitated every Tuesday night from 6-9pm at the Fair@44 Venue Located at 4350 El Cajon Bou levard, San Diego, CA 92105.

It is called The Transgender Health and Wellness Center in collaboration with the El Cajon Boulevard Business Improvement Association.

It made my heart happy to see so many people in attendance even with the humidity at its peak, the venue had an attendance full of friends and new acquaintances. The Fair@44 Venue hosted 80 or more community members on September 6, 2022. The venue space hosted nine local Transgender, Non-Binary, and Queer vendors and artists that were selling their creativity to the guests. I was able to meet the MC for the evening, Chastity St. Dionne (she/her), local Trans Latina performer and influencer, Valued Volun teer, and Brand Ambassador of the Transgender Health and Wellness Center – San Diego location. She was welcoming and she kept the flow of the evening uplifting and positive.

The music was fun and very upbeat thanks to DJ Yassin (he/they), a local Non-Binary entertainer, who has been the event’s musical director and responsible for creating a fun and synergetic environment.

Now, who does not enjoy complimentary food and beverages, thanks to Tranquillo Dojo Café, a local business managed by Tootie (all pro nouns) and Mike Piceno (he/ him)? – Tranquillo Dojo Café is “a coffee shop built to embrace and support diverse cultures and communities.” The food was quite delicious if I do say so myself.

To make events like these become a reality, we need help and support for continued success. Thank you to the sponsorships for this weekly social event, which are generously provided by AHF – San Diego. It is so wonderful that we do live in a community that consistently supports our diverse LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. Stakehold ers and community partners are also welcome into the communal space, as are those who offer programs and services available to the gender diverse community.

Miss Naya Marie Velazco (she/her), Director of Programs at Transgender Health and Wellness Center and the vison of Tootie (she/her), Manager of the Fair@44 Venue are two community pillars who are able to cultivate a weekly safe space for San Diego’s most underrepresented and under served community members. The Transgender, Non-Binary, and Intersex community has a handful of awareness weeks

and days, but we need more cul tivated spaces in our cities and rural areas where we are most importantly safe and able to express ourselves freely without harassment and judgment.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that everyone is in love with this social event, and I am even more excited to learn that there’s more community involvement each week”, said Naya, “So many creatives have come to share their art and talents with us, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this space has turned into.” Naya added, “Earlier this week, the Transgender Health and Wellness Center met with the representatives of Councilmember Stephen Whitburn’s office (he/him) and spoke on the importance of safety concerns for our community! But most importantly to help us fund a Trans, Non-Binary, and Intersex Community Center with wrap-around services that is operated and led by the gender diverse community. They are looking and ideally need offices and a board room where they can strategically plan and conduct business in San Diego, so we can focus on serving the Transgendered siblings and youth.” On their bucket list, they are also asking for their own banquet and communal spaces to host important events for our people while having autonomy individually and collectively will help im-

prove our overall equity. Naya explained, “We are not asking for a handout; we are asking for a hand up.”

Most recently the Transgender Health and Wellness Center received a certificate of recognition from the City of San Diego’s Mayor Todd Gloria’s office for the services provided to the Transgender, Intersex, and Gender NonConforming Individuals in our city and county. San Diego is truly very fortunate to have in existence a life changing organization that provides incred ible services and compassion they give every day.

Remember that we all need kindness, and we all need to share kindness to one another. Let us listen better to each other and let us never forget the shoulders we stand upon. Let us embrace each other as we talk about our past to learn about the new stories being told as recently as today. Congratulations on what you are doing to enrich the lives of so many and I look forward to watching this organization grow to help even more people while coming together as a community, family, and as caring human beings.

I encourage anyone who is interested in giving their social talents, time, or even money to please contact: Miss Naya Marie Velazco (she/her), Director of Programs.

Naya@trans.health.

(right) Naya Velazco (photos by Big Mike Phillips)

A Q&A wiTh

esTeBaN MarTIN DUarTe of VidA

Give our readers a brief history about you.

Esteban M. Duarte was born and raised in San Diego, CA. When not working as a Project Manager for an aerospace firm, he enjoys cooking and spend ing time with family, friends, and his dog Maui. He is driven to help others who may face some of the same challenges he did while growing up Gay and Latino in Southern Califor nia. Honors he’s received in recognition of his work in the community include San Diego Pride Volunteer of the Year, AIDS Walk San Diego, and San Diego Magazine’s Latino Impact Award.

Esteban founded VIDA to provide LGBTQ Latinx youth with education, open dialogue, and strong role models in the fight against HIV, and that mission now includes a scholar ship fund to support inclusive equality for all through the edu cational goals of young people. He believes that building on the progress that our community has made means helping young people know they’re not alone in continuing the tradition of working for change.

What is VIDA?

Since its formation in 2014, VIDA has placed value on the lives of all young Latinos and Latinas. Their goal is to work hard to foster education for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), to help reduce and hopefully eliminate HIV among the Latinx youth. VIDA’s purpose is to educate, support and celebrate life!

VIDA is dedicated to resolving the HIV crisis within the Latinx community, where social stigma, poverty, language barriers, education, and access to care, deter testing and increase the infection rate.

VIDA recognizes its mission by promoting health & HIV education, building networks with community partner organiza tions and leaders, & advocacy and awareness to mobilize an effective community response to meet challenges and eradicate health disparities in our communities. Other key goals of VIDA include:

• Provide the Latinx commu nity with education, resources, treatment, & prevention of HIV transmission in both English & Spanish.

• After conducting a brief intake/survey, provide at least 100 take home HIV test kits to those who have not been tested or are unaware of their status.

• Coordinate community events that provide information and/or funding for Latinx educational scholarships for individuals creating positive change in the world today and tomorrow.

• Disseminate the latest re search on HIV prevention and treatments

• Promote pride, unity, love, & the celebration of life.

This program just begun in September 2021 and already has established support in the community. Twenty-four tests were given out in the last quarter of 2021. For 2022, Urban MO’s, a popular Gay bar in Hillcrest, has already agreed to have VIDA set up a table at their front door at least once a month, at their busiest time in the evening, which will provide education materials in English and Spanish, condoms, local communities resources, and takehome HIV test kits to those who complete a brief intake survey. Our volunteers are bilingual in English and Spanish as well which eliminates barriers to a large portion of our audience who might not otherwise feel comfortable asking questions.

Aside from the monthly table at Urban MO’s, plans are already set to attend other

community events such as Pride, Latinx Pride, South Bay Pride, Pride at the Beach, National Transgender AIDS Awareness Day, National AIDS Awareness Day, as well as VIDA’s signature scholarship event and its Día de los Muertos fundraiser. All of these events are largely attended by the target populations including the Latinx and LGBTQ communities.

Who is on the Board?

I have a strong board that touches every aspect of our community:

familia, primas, amigos, etc. It’s what you make it in your heart. Familia is everything.

We are working on a video to celebrate those lives while Mariachi Continental de San Diego sings “Amor Eterno”. If you would like to submit a picture of a loved one to be part of this video, please submit to photos@vida.community

This fundraiser will raise much needed funds to continue our working in providing FREE HIV Self-Tests Kits & feeding the homeless this holiday season.

What to expect: Mariachi Continental de San Diego Proyecto Trans Latina Ballet Folkerico

Painted Face Contest

Face Painting by Sergio DJ PUR FLO spinning the latest in cumbias and salsas Raffle Prizes

Free HIV Self-Test Kits

Homage video to loved ones who have passed away

Great performances by Jaz min as Selena, Jamie as Celia Cruz, and other great perfor mances by ChiChi, Jazzlene, Annabelle, Bibi Star, Marte, and more!

What time is the event?

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

What other events is Vida working on?

VIDA is working on the 3rd Annual Feeding the Homeless. This year’s goal is to feed 300 homeless. I was once homeless living on the streets, so I know their struggles, discrimination, and stigmas associated with being homeless. It took someone to show me love to know that everything will be ok, and I will get through the moment. From that love comes feeding the homeless and showing them, we care. The bottom line, we are on this planet together; we are all we have. Let’s share some love and just “maybe” we will change someone’s life.

VIDA will be passing out FREE HIV Self-Test Kits on the following days:

AIDS

The 2nd Annual Día de los Muertos is coming up Monday, October 31st at MO’s, tell us what the event is about and what fun things can attendees look forward too?

VIDA’s 2nd Annual Día de los Muertos is about a celebration of life of those loved ones who have left us either due to COVID, AIDS, old age, etc. It could be a celebration of life of tu abuelita, tu abuelito,

3rd Annual Feeding

How can people participate and get

Contact me, Esteban M. Duarte @ esteband@vida.community https://vida.community/

After discovering that some jobs in the military were closed to women due to the Combat Exclusion policy, Janessa volunteered to participate in Department of Defense-led research on gender integration in combat arms units. During this research, she volunteered for an infantry course officially closed to women. Following her experience, Janessa cofounded an advocacy campaign to repeal the discriminatory Combat Exclusion policy. In 2015, the Secretary of Defense opened all military occupations to qualified applicants, regardless of gender.

Prior to her military service, Janessa worked in Washington, DC, as a human rights advocate. In this role, she led a diverse coalition to build political will for legislative and diplomatic efforts to protect civilians in conflict zones.

Janessa was recognized for her work by Diplomatic Courier magazine as one of the “Top 99 Foreign Policy Professionals Under 33”.

When her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease, Janessa cut short her Marine Corps career and returned to her hometown to care for her.

Back in San Diego, Janessa founded Sui Generis Strategies, a professional services firm that provides organiza tions with the tools to pass

legislation and achieve meaningful change.

Janessa holds a B.S. from Northwestern University and an M.A. from the University of San Francisco. She serves as the co-chair of the San Diego LGBT Center, and is on the boards of Equality California, MANA de San Diego, as well as on the Vic tory Fund’s Campaigns Board. She is a member of Mayor Todd Gloria’s LGBT Advisory Council and the UCSD Chancellor’s Community Advisory Group, as well as a delegate to the California Democratic Party for Assembly District 78.

Janessa loves diving off San Diego’s magnificent coastline and around the world. She and her wife Carol, who were married in August of 2022, live in Talmadge with their dogs and a small flock of hens.

Janessa Goldbeck

Janessa Goldbeck and her wife Carol (courtesy images)

CITY aTTOrNeY News

Mara w. elliott

—Mara W. Elliott was elected City Attorney of San Diego in 2016 after serving as the chief deputy attorney for the Office’s Public Services Section and legal adviser to the city’s Independent Audit Committee and Environment Committee. Elliott and the lawyers in her section held polluters accountable, reformed city contracting, cut administrative red tape, and strengthened the city’s living wage and non-discrimination in contracting ordinances.

Domestic violence rips at the fabric of our families, leaving its survivors feeling ashamed, isolated, and fearful. Those who muster the courage to leave often don’t know where to go to get the support they need.

Twenty years ago, victims of domestic violence had to navigate a web of agencies to obtain the essential services. The challenges could be daunt ing: scheduling a dozen or more appointments, arranging for childcare, taking time off work, finding transportation, and never knowing about the services you might be missing. It was a daunting challenge.

YOUr safe PlaCe

BroughT doMesTiC ViolenCe serViCes

TogeTher under one roof 20 yeArs Ago

That’s when something remarkable happened. A few dedicated San Diegans -- in cluding former City Attorney Casey Gwinn -- recognized how the fragmented system was delaying or even denying the healing that survivors and their families desperately needed. So, they created the world’s first Family Justice Center, known today as Your Safe Place.

Victims of domestic violence in the City of San Diego now come to one location to meet with an advocate, obtain a re straining order, create a safety plan, meet with a counselor, obtain police reports, receive medical assistance, counsel with a chaplain, get help with transportation and housing,

and obtain nutrition and well ness services.

These services, provided by on-site partners, are confiden tial, free, and offered without judgment to empower clients to move forward with their lives.

The success of San Diego’s one-stop shop for domestic vio lence victims quickly received recognition at the highest levels.

Then-President George W. Bush was so impressed with its success after just one year in operation that the Department of Justice allocated more than $20 million in grants to estab lish 15 family justice centers in the United States.

Your Safe Place has only grown in the years since. It now provides services to other

Spread love, not

vulnerable individuals who are subject to exploitation and abuse: victims of sex trafficking, sexual assault, family violence, and elder abuse.

YSP now works with more than 60 community organiza tions that generously provide services that include counsel ing, forensic medical exami nations, restraining orders, housing support and financial security, immigration services, and parenting assistance.

Recognizing the extreme risk posed by abusers with guns, YSP also protects clients by ob taining Gun Violence Restrain ing Orders to remove firearms from dangerous situations before a tragedy occurs.

The number of domestic

violence incidents remains tragically high. Every hour in America almost 1,200 people report being physically abused by a domestic intimate partner. It’s a difficult statistic to even process: almost 1,200 people every hour of every day.

Your Safe Place offers a haven for victims -- a literal safe place where they can come to heal and move forward with their lives.

Over the past two decades, the Family Justice Center movement has spread far and wide. There are now more than 100 Family Justice Centers across the United States as well as centers in more than 20 countries around the world.

Family Justice Centers, like Your Safe Place, have been identified as a “best practice” in helping domestic violence victims and their children.

As we celebrate 20 years of providing assistance to San Di egans and October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we hope you can help as well. Your Safe Place holds an annual Hal loween drive, a holiday party, a school backpack drive, and other events to help normalize life for children who have been affected by violence in their homes.

Sadly, most of us know someone who has been a victim of family violence or sex crimes. But we all benefit from helping these victims and their children move forward with their lives. If you want to learn more about YSP’s services or are interested in touring YSP, located down town, visit the Your Safe Place website at www.sandiego.gov/ yoursafeplace.

(courtesy image)

a NOT e frOM TONI

Toni g. atkins

When I was not even three months old, the world almost came to an end. How fair is that I ask you? I hadn’t even learned where my feet were yet, and now I’d have no place to ever use them.

In October 1962, my parents, like so many others, put their kids to bed at night not knowing if any of the family would still be there in the morning. Obviously, I don’t have any first-hand memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis 60 years ago this month, but I do see some threads from that dangerous series of events running through our current times.

In the greatest existential threat we face today—climate change—wildfires, mega storms, heatwaves, and flood ing cause death and destruction and force the relocation of families here in California, throughout the country, and around the world. The causes of human-caused climate change have been churning for decades. Addressing those causes and mitigating their impacts will take longer than the 13 days it took JFK to resolve the crisis in 1962, but

in The greATesT exisTenTiAl ThreAT we fACe TodAy

ClIMaTe ChaNge

that just means we can’t wait.

“Later is too late” is a rallying cry used by climate activists, and it hits the mark.

That’s why I am so pleased that the major climate advances developed in the Senate this session have now officially been signed and become law.

As I’ve shared before, these climate advances will reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable forms of energy— and give industry the tools they need to get the job done.

The Senate Climate Package, along with several other climate bills signed into law, ensures California’s leadership on climate change and

cements our partnership with the Biden-Harris administration following the recent enactment of their historic climate legislation.

Sometimes it seems there can be some confusing language around climate change, “a 50% reduction by 2040” or “a 40% reduction by 2050” or “a 45% reduction by 2055.” And so on. And it can be hard to see the progress we’ve made when we’re working through the crisis. But, I’ve learned to distill the percentages and chemical formulas and come down to this: if we keep making the kind of progress we have, as quickly and responsi-

bly as we just did, then we can make sure that some little girl out there, just learning what her feet are all about, will be able to find a safe place to stand that won’t be burned out or washed away from her—or any of us.

Thank you for reading, Toni

PS—I hear that if she’s able to get her electric broom charged in time, that mysterious witch of South Park will be back this Halloween. Keep an eye out for her, be safe, and have fun!

LGBTQ San Diego County News PO Box 34664 San Diego, CA 92163 858.886.9458

PUBLISHER Terry Sidie

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Nicole Murray Ramirez nicolemrsd1@gmail.com 619.241.5672

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Cesar A. Reyes creativedirector@lgbtqsd.news

EDITOR IN CHIEF JP Emerson editor@lgbtqsd.news

COPY EDITOR Brittany Berger iceberger88@gmail.com

SALES sales@lgbtqsd.news 858.886.9458

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Big Mike Phillips Bmsd1957@gmail.com 619.807.7324

WEB AND SOCIAL MEDIA info@lgbtq.news

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Berto Fernández

Big Mike Phillips Connor Maddocks Mara W. Elliott Michael Kimmel Neal Putnam Randall Blaum Toni G. Atkins

DISTRIBUTION

LGBTQ San Diego County News is distributed free every first Friday of the month. © 2021. All rights reserved.

OPINION/LETTERS

LGBTQ San Diego County News encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please email them directly to editor@lgbtqsd.news and include your name, phone number and address for verification. We reserve the right to edit letters for brevity and accuracy. Letters and guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or staff.

SUBMISSION/NEWS TIPS

Press releases and story ideas are welcomed. Send press releases, tips, photos or story ideas to editor@lgbtqsd.news. For breaking news and investigative story ideas, contact the editor by phone or email.

Copyright © 2022 LGBTQ San Diego County News

Editor’s Note: The opinions written in this publication’s advertorial, editorial and opinion pages are the author’s own and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the staff and/or publisher of LGBTQ San Diego County News. The newspaper and its staff should be held harmless of liability or damages.

“This publication was supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.”

—Toni G. Atkins represents the 39th District in the California Senate.

Follow her on Twitter @SenToniAtkins.

COMversaTIONs wITh NICOle

Nicole Murray ramirez

—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 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 Nicolemrsd1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Nmrsd2.

Recently Mayor Gloria has been the subject of uniformed and ugly attacks over our city’s homeless issue. Former basketball player Bill Walton and others have been criticizing the mayor with no ideas or proposals for solutions of their own.

This weekend I will be in Cincinnati, Ohio; these past two years I have been in New York, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Chicago, Louisville, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, and Houston to name a few cit ies, and the homeless issue is absolutely a nationwide crisis with almost every city being affected.

we supporT MaYOr TODD glOrIa

Todd Gloria is our first mayor in San Diego’s history who still rents. He comes from a fam ily that had its struggles and at times living paycheck to paycheck with both his parents working hard to support their children. If anyone knows Todd Gloria, they know he goes to bed every night thinking of our homeless problems among many other important issues.

Mayor Gloria and the City Council has increased housing for the homeless by almost 40%, especially for veteran families and seniors. He has traveled to Washington, DC and Sacramen to to secure government funding for our city’s homeless issues.

San Diego is a destination city for homeless from across the country because of our weather, especially during the winter and many homeless have mental issues and drug addictions.

Yes it’s fair to criticize the Mayor (I do it myself regarding bike lanes) but do so with facts and ideas for solutions, and as for those saying our Mayor doesn’t care or is ignoring the homeless issue, you are obviously ignorant of the facts and yes we are all concerned about this issue and so is Mayor Gloria who like so many other mayors across the country are doing their best when it comes to this national crisis.

JOsePh rOCha CAn win!

This past Wednesday the beautiful Bankers Hill home of City Commissioner Bruce Abrams was packed with civic and community leaders from throughout San Diego County for a major fundraiser for respected veteran and attorney Joseph Rocha. Rocha’s polls show him neck and neck in a Senate race against a right-wing Republican State Senator who is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to stay in the Senate. State Senate President Toni Atkins, Mayor Todd Gloria, City Councilmembers Dr. Jen Campbell and Stephen Whitburn, State Assembly Majority Whip Chris Ward, Councilmember Marnie von Wilpert, State Commissioner Russell Roybal and many other movers and shakers were in attendance. I had the honor to be asked to introduce Mayor Gloria as well as present Rocha with a painting of Harvey Milk. Joseph Rocha has received The San Diego Union Tribune’s endorsement among many others. With our help and financial support Joseph Rocha will be our next state senator. Please contribute to his campaign

help put him over

Joseph Rocha (courtesy image)

BIg MIke & frIeNDs

Big Mike Phillips

—Big Mike Phillips is an activist, fundraiser, bartender and photographer who has lived in San Diego for 30 years. He has helped create two nonprofits and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity. He has been a photographer for more than 25 years and has recorded our LGBTQ history not only in San Diego but around the country, including three LGBTQ marches on Washington D.C. Contact Big Mike at 619-807-7324, or bmsd1957@gmail.com.

II am excited to introduce our readers to amazing and caring people who live, work, play, and do business in our community and city. Learning about people of all lifestyles, talents, and personalities that I think would be interesting for our readers to enjoy. San Diego has a wonderful diversity of individuals who make our slice of paradise the greatest place to live and enjoy each other’s uniqueness.

Franko aka Franceska has been a leader, activist, performer, and a friend to so many people were ever he goes. We here in San Diego, especially the HIV/AIDS and Latino community have seen him in the forefront of the fight, and he never backs down or away from doing what he loves to do: helping people. I am proud to introduce you to my dear friend, Franko Guillen, San Diego’s very own Latino Angel.

How did you end up in San Diego and what do you love about it?

I moved to San Diego in 1980 from Stockton, California where I had started my life as an activist for the Latino community. Working from sunup to sundown in the worst conditions of the fields filled with pesticides that were killing the workers and their newborn children. I had a chance to meet Cesar Chavez and marched with him a few times. When I was getting ready to graduate from The University of the Pacific, GRID (GayRelated Immune Deficiency) later known as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency) started to be known as a Homosexual Virus. My life was threatened and there was no quality of life for me in my own city any longer. With only four units to finish my career, I had to pack a few things I had and moved to San Diego in 1980! San Diego was a very closed-minded city back in those early days. When it came to Latinos in the Gay community, employees of the Gay bars would openly tell Latinos, myself included that “México was ten minutes away so go back to your own country”. They did not know that I had enough balls and would not take it sitting down, that’s when I started work-

aka fraNCeska

ing for the RESPECT of my culture, my music, and my hard-working PEOPLE. By the end of 1981 I received a phone call from a woman I had met a few weeks before who was renting a studio to a couple of young Latinos whom she believed were infected with the new virus. She wanted them to leave before the rest of the tenant’s found out. I took it upon myself to bring them home with me in the middle of the night, they were my first An gels of Light. Sadly, they only lived a few weeks; they showed me how to be empathetic and helped me realize that I needed to dedicate my life to my fellow man who were dying of AIDS. I officially started my career after that by taking care of HIV infected individuals. By the end of 1982, I found myself combining my activism and my work to my Gay brothers. I could not turn my back on them. I retired from the

HIV field in 2020, I continue to do fundraising for the few causes I still believe in!

As a young Gay Latino man, what did you have to sacrifice to become the leader you are in both communities?

Nothing… when you feel that you’re sacrificing and learning how to be a better human by doing what is right, it humbles oneself and encourages you do more for the less fortunate. I always have said do what you love, and believe in yourself, then you will get so much more done. Do not waste your valuable time on something you do not believe in!

As a Gay and Latino activist what would you say was one of your biggest and proudest moments for equality and how has it changed your life?

After five years in San Di ego, I finally got Clint Johnson and Johnny Moore to allow me to do a benefit for Tijuana’s AIDS causes at B’JA’S Bar.

With music in Spanish all night and a wonderful English Female Impersonation Show at 7:00 pm and the MAIN SHOW ALL IN SPANISH AT 9:00 PM SHARP! Also, when Teresa Oyos and I put our hearts together to put on a benefit for a Children’s Garden at the Pride Festival.

So many LGBT parents who have children could now come to the Pride festival knowing their kids were in good hands. It touched my heart to know we helped make this happen by raising the funds needed.

Another great thing that I am

blessed and proud of is when a group of us activists from Tijuana and San Diego opened Las Memoria’s, the first AIDS Hospice in Tijuana in 1988.

How old were you when you first got involved with fighting for our Gay and Latino causes, and what made you feel that you needed to step up?

I was 15 years of age in 1969 when I realized how strong and how lucky I was to be able to scream as LOUD as I could that I was a Proud Homosexual. My beautiful immediate Family taught me values and principles that I carried with me to this day. I wanted other kids and adults to be totally free to be themselves, to empower themselves, to educate themselves, and to be honest with themselves. I wanted them to learn to live a true and peaceful life.

Photo by Rikke Photography

“learn to be strong, live with values and principles, don’t allow one individual to make decisions for you, be strong and do what is right.”

Franceska (photo by Big Mike Phillips)

Franko Guillen (courtesy image)

(courtesy image)

lIfe BeYOND TheraPY

Michael kimmel

—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.

s your life not very stimulating? Do you have too much time on your hands and are starting to get depressed? Have you retired early and now regret it?

Whether you’re 24, 44 or 64, I suggest that you take a look in the mirror and ask yourself: “Am I bored?”

And what is boredom, anyway? When you have noth ing particular to do, aren’t interested in what’s going on around you, or you feel that a specific relationship/activity/ situation is dull or tedious, you probably feel bored, e.g., blah, listless, restless and a bit anxious.

Boredom isn’t depression: it’s an unpleasant lack of stimulation that leaves us craving relief. Boredom is also a paradox: some research studies have found it to be a disruptive state of mind that damages our health; yet other research suggests that without boredom we couldn’t achieve our creative feats.

WHAT TO DO?

We all experience boredom from time-to-time, it’s a normal part of life. But if you find yourself bored a lot of the time: it’s time to take some action. Sometimes boredom is actually an inability to focus your attention on something. ADHD and ADD sometimes look like boredom: it’s hard to concentrate and you’re always looking for new stimuli.

Boredom even happens to the Fabulous People: are you cynical and jaded? Is noth ing ever exciting/fabulous/ good enough for you? “Ennui” is another word for this. “I’ve done it all and seen it all” is your mantra. However, few of us actually have done it all and seen it all. But we may feel like it.

The opposite of boredom is feeling excited, alive, energized, enthusiastic. How do we find this emotional place?

Any time we feel stuck in a repeating pattern, boredom may set in. But, since we can’t

always avoid repetition, what can we do? We can counterbalance the repetitious, boring parts of our lives with their opposites. Ask yourself:

1. What makes me feel alive?

2. What am I enthusiastic about?

3. What dreams did I give up on?

4. What’s the most boring part of my life? How can I change it?

5. What am I passionate about? How can I get more of this?

Answering questions like this let us know what our lives may be lacking.

The COVID pandemic has been a big wake-up call for many of us. During the pandemic, especially at the beginning, millions of people found themselves thinking: “Is this what I’m going to do the rest of my life?”

Good question.

The pandemic has been a real boon to eliminating boredom. It forced us to take a good look at our lives and see what we love… and what’s missing.

Millions of Americans left

the workforce (quit or retired) during the pandemic. Now, many of those folks are bored to death and looking to do something that has meaning and purpose. Nearly 7 in 10 workers who retired during the pandemic are considering returning to work, according to a recent CNBC survey.

I have quite a few friends and clients who retired early. And - no surprise - after they went through their bucket lists of traveling, gardening, home remodeling, and reading that pile of books by the bed, many of them are now bored.

If you’re thinking of retiring early, give some thought to how you’ll keep your life stimulating. You might like to work, just not as much. Consider transitioning from fulltime to part-time, or full-time to a consulting position. This gives you a chance to “sample” retirement.

If you want more meaningful activity in your life - whether you’re retired or working - you could volunteer. As the election approaches, I have joined “postcard-writing banks”. I’m also considering volunteering at my local elementary school to help kids with reading. Yes, I am still working full-time. But sometimes I get a little bored with my life too and want to switch it up a bit.

Don’t wait until you’re retired to deal with your boredom. Do it now, so that the next forty, fifty or sixty years of your life are as exciting and rich as possible.

at

don’T wAiT unTil you’re reTired To deAl wiTh your BoredoM

TraNs Talk

wITh CONNOr

Connor Maddocks

—Connor Maddocks has been a civil rights advocate in the San Diego Transgender community for years. He does trainings on legal and personal transition information. He continues his work, even though he is now retired. Contact Conner at Neon411@gmail.com.

I hope everyone had a won derful summer. Let’s have a look at what’s been happening.

According to Tuesday September 20th news from LG BTQ Nation, two senators from Massachusetts, Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren have asked President Biden to remove barriers to accessing testoster one. This would make it easier for Transgender men to get much needed hormone therapy. Trans men and masculine NonBinary folks take testosterone to achieve the masculinizing of their bodies. The effects of this hormone therapy include facial hair growth, body hair, increased muscle mass and redistribution of fat to a more masculine body shape.

Testosterone is now a Sched ule III controlled substance. It was first classified as Schedule III in 1990 due to possible abuse by athletes. The original Controlled Substance Act was passed in 1970 and testoster one was not on that list. This hormone is a medically neces sary hormone for Trans men and masculine leaning Non-Bi nary people. It allows them to feel less dysphoric about their bodies, and for those who have undergone hysterectomies and oophorectomies it is a replace ment hormone to stay healthy.

Without this treatment it leaves folks open to dis crimination, harassment and mistreatment by members of our society. For me it was a lifesaver to allow me to have a body that matched my gender identity after years of debilitat ing dysphoria.

The Senators want the drug to instead be added to Sched ule V which has less restric tions and would make it much more accessible to the Trans community. As we now know those in the medical commu nity who treat Trans men and Non-Binary people have fully endorsed this gender affirming treatment. Estrogen used to treat Trans women and NonBinary feminine feeling folks is easily obtainable with no restrictions.

This would be an amazing forward action for those who need it and those living in less informed areas of our country to access the care they need. President Biden and his ad ministration have made a huge commitment to making the lives of all Trans people better. Let’s hope this gets done. I will

We have a choice to either choose to continue to live a lie or live FREE and PROUD and learn to be HAPPY!

Who is one of your mentors and how have they changed your life?

Mother Teresa, she spoke with actions, she lived among the sick and unwanted, she loved all citizens of the world!

From September 15 through October 15 we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, as a Latino activist what would you like the world to know about your heritage?

hAppy fAll eVeryone! hOw DO we fIghT haTe?

keep you informed.

Save the Date: On November 20th the Trans community will hold our annual Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day is held to remember and honor those who were murdered simply for being Transgender.

The majority of those murdered are Trans Women of Color.

The number of violent acts, discrimination, and harass ment are disproportionately high for our beautiful Women of Color. Often the one respon sible is known to the victim but some lives are simply ended by strangers for no reason other than hate.

So far this year 27 members of our community have died from this violence. Last year we lost a total of 57 amazing souls. These are the ones we know about. There is no way to track deaths from hate when they go unreported as a hate crime, and do not get any no tice in local papers. Often these people are dead-named by the press and often to their own families. This is all so tragic and senseless. How do we fight hate?

In California we have a law AB1577called the Respect after Death Act which passed and was signed into law by then Governor Jerry Brown in Sep tember 2014. This law brings much needed guidance when filling out a person’s death certificate, to ensure that their authentic gender identity is re spected. The person signing the death certificate must conform to the proven gender identity presented to them, such as

driver’s license, an updated birth certificate, evidence of gender affirming surgeries. So at least here in California, our identities are protected even in death.

Every Tuesday night at the Dojo Café in City Heights the community gathers to meet new folks and see old friends. Often there is entertainment, music, or a guest speaker. The weekly event is sponsored by the Transgender Wellness Cen ter and goes from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Free coffee drinks are provided by the wonderful folks from the Dojo Café. Don’t for get to leave a tip and say thank you. Food is donated by various organizations. So, a big thank you to all of them as well. The address is 4350 El Cajon Blvd. It’s on the corner of 44th St and El Cajon Blvd. Hope to see you all there!

Online support meetings are still ongoing through the LGBT Center. Ages 18 and up.

On Monday nights from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm is the Trans and Non-Binary Coming out Group. Folks get to meet new friends and get support around the en tire coming out process. This is a peer support group facilitated by two therapists from the Cen ter. This is a great way to learn about yourself, the coming out process, medical transition, insurance, and many other topics. Group members are wonderfully supportive of each other.

Tuesday Night is the Aro mantic and Asexual Discussion Group which meets at 7:00 pm. This discussion group is

for those whose sexual orienta tion is asexual or Aromantic or both. Come and meet other likeminded folks for support and information. Those ques tioning are also welcome.

Wednesday Night is the Trans Masculine & Non-Binary Group which meets at 7:00 pm till 8:30 pm. This group is for those who identify as male, or somewhere on the masculine spectrum and is a great group for meeting new friends, educa tion around masculine tran sitioning and especially some great peer support.

The Femmily is an ongo ing support group for Trans Women and Trans Fem people. It meets virtually and inperson on specific days of the month. Another great group for all those who identify on the fem spectrum.

Saturday Trans & NonBinary Discussion Group meets every from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. This is a general peer led support and discussion group around Transgender topics. All those who identify as Trans and Non-Binary are welcome. Join us for lively discussions and education and information.

If you wish to attend any of these groups, please contact Achi Vasquez at the LGBT Center. Her email address is trans@thecentersd.org.

You can also visit the Center’s website: https://thecentersd.org/ transgender-services-project-trans/

Have a cool and safe October everyone!

Our wonderful diverse cultures are the most celebrated in the World, family values, and traditions are so important to our culture. Unfortunately, many Latinos go without elderly care because there are very few nursing homes in Latin America. We as a people welcome them into our homes and take care of our elders. We are very accepting of our fellow human beings from around the world. Our culture treats them with respect, we welcome people by saying Mi Casa es su Casa! (My Home is your Home) and we mean it! México is the only official country that celebrates it’s dead and is, after Mother’s Day the second most Celebrated day! Día de los Muertos!

If you could witness any event of the past, present, or future, what would it be and why?

THE END OF HIV/AIDS!

If you could give advice to someone who would love to follow in your footsteps and become involved as an activist, what would you tell them?

Learn to be strong, live with values and principles, don’t allow one individual to make decisions for you, be strong and do what is right. If you don’t feel appreciated and respected most likely you are not, so move on to something that will. Remember activists should unite and if you are in a group that fights all the time then you need to find a group that is positive and wants to help each other. Do what I did become a free-lance activist and help as many groups as possible and individuals who want to help society!

What are your top five valves you live by?

Honesty, Responsibility, Always on time, Family Values, Respect for myself and for others.

Gratitude is so important in each of our lives, what are you most grateful for?

I know that I am so blessed, I am grateful for the honest life I have lived and continue living. Being healthy at my 68 years of youth.

(photos by Big Mike Phillips)

By Big m ike Phillips

ne of the many things that San Diego is known for are the many historical buildings throughout the city. One such building sits right in the heart of Hillcrest. Built in 1917 as a carriage house, it still stands and has housed many different businesses. One interesting fact I did learn about was that it served as a bakery back in the 1960s. In 1978, they finally bulldozed the ovens down that were in the back of the building. I did learn more about this structure back in 2000 when my longtime friend Alex Marin created Ex otic Bamboo Tea House, which offered hundreds of tea choices to choose from.

Since those early days, Axis Studios, the white building across the street from the Flagpole on Normal Street, located at 1469-1475 University Avenue has been a staple in the Gay community of Hillcrest for over twenty years. It started out as a simple tea house in the early years of the 2000s. They have survived their ups and downs, with many renovations and without having to compromise giving the spot up for commercial

business. Owner of the building and business Alex Marin started his idea based off one of his favorite hobbies of drinking tea. That is how the Exotic Bamboo Tea House came into fruition. The space was so large Alex created a beautiful Koi Fishpond in the middle of the room, surrounded by beautiful furniture from all around the world which he sold. You could enjoy a cup of tea as you browse throughout the store and even purchase new treasures for your home or office and then leave with fresh tea leaves on your way out. A few years later he opened the business as a wine bar. Although Alex’s passion for tea was not lost, he decided to change his premise towards a familiar name to the Hillcrest neighborhood called T Deli. T Deli got its popularity after the infamous 2007 app Yelp came out and rated them twentyseventh best Yelp destination to get your food in the United States. (I was saddened when they closed during COVID-19 as it was truly one of the best and my personal favorite place to go for a sandwich and Alex’s homemade soups). The

review expanded their growth and led to future projects to be developed in later years. Bamboo Lounge was not only known for their wine, but they also had a Sushi Bar led by Chef Ditchi (one of the first few female Chefs in San Diego at the time).

As the years progressed, Bamboo Lounge was later changed to Brick Bar. After COVID-19 hit, change was inevitable, and this is when Axis Studios was born. What was known as the Brick Bar, then changed into AWOL (a military-themed bar), while Alex started to renovate what was known as T. Deli into a mini mall featuring several different shops such as Sir and Son, an up-to-date hip and one-of-a-kind men’s clothing and unique accessories shop, along with Joey’s Barber Studio (a clever hot spot to get a trendy haircut and shave), and Launchpad, a hair salon that specializes and features high end colorists. Additionally, the mini mall includes San Diego’s very own and very talented clothing designer Oseas Villatoro Studio, Wags (a Canine Luxury Boutique),

and Jack’s Dispensary which is nice to have in the heart of Hillcrest. One of the highlights of the building space is the large patio that located in the back. With its own world charm, it features The Canteena, an authentic Mexican food restaurant with recipes from the T-Deli. Filled with lots of plants to make it feel exotic and tropical, it houses a stationary food truck for the chefs to cook all the many delicious Mexican plates: Adobada (generally pork marinated in a “red” chili), Carne Asada (grilled beef and, at its sim plest, it can be no more than a steak, seasoned with salt and pepper, cooked over a hot fire), and Beef Birria (a rich and flavorful dish that is perfectly served as a stew topped with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice). You will also find one of the most flavorful Chicken tacos as an option along with the many selections that you can to choose from. The Canteena’s signature dish though, is the Cochinitas, a recipe that has been passed down from many generations. Its barbecued pork is marinated for twelve

hours with achiote, white vinegar, a splash of fresh orange and lime juices followed with a dash of salt and pepper to bring the flavors together. All plates come with Mexican rice and fresh vegetables, along with refreshing watermelon sugar iced tea. One of the house specials and a treat from the T-Deli is the spicy creamy Jalapeno Black Bean Soup. Alex expressed how he wants to make sure there is a delicious option for vegetarians as well, doing their very best to cater to everyone’s diet.

The Canteena has been open for a very short time, but they constantly see new faces trying out these wonderfully delicious dishes. The Canteena takes your senses to a different place and time, giving you a sense of adventure as you indulge in all the unique culinary delights. To add to the experience and flavor of your meal, Alex sug gests you try one of their famous Mango Margaritas from the AWOL Bar. What stands out about Axis Studios is that you can take your drink with you as you shop while being one of the only places that will allow an opportunity to do so.

Awol BAr, The CAnTeenA And oTher TreAsures inside Axis sTudios a sPICY CONCePT BehIND The whITe BrICk BUIlDINg

bar is open Thursdays

– 10:00pm, Fridays/ Saturdays 4:00pm – 1:00am and Sundays 4:00pm till midnight; the Canteena is open Thursday 4:00pm – 8:00pm, Fridays/Saturdays 4:00pm –9:00pm and Sundays 11:00am – 5:00pm. These hours allow their AWOL customers to have a full experience and gives them a totally different vibe that is not the same in any other location in Hillcrest.

Alex and his team celebrated Axis Studios one-year anniversary on September 30, 2022. The event they held supported

the “Trans Fronteras” Foundation for their outreach for Trans, Non-Binary, homeless migrants, and teenagers with only a ten-dollar donation at the door which was rewarded with great food, drinks, and entertainment.

AWOL Bar was also open to purchase beverages throughout the event.

If you missed it, stop by and be sure to say congratulations to Alex!

Over the last twenty years of survival, Alex and his wonderful building have become historical in their own right.

His entrepreneur endeavors

have never allowed this building to stop providing services to our community. Alex always welcomes everyone to use this great space for events, parties, and celebrations. I encourage anyone who enjoys shopping, drinking, and eating good authentic Mexican food to take the time to explore this gem in our own community. Gayowned and operated so you will be supporting LGBTQ+ businesses, and what could be better than supporting our brothers, sisters and siblings. It truly is a spicy concept in our own back yard.

rEGaL

pyle,

some are doing

a good hard

hudson

of the ‘80s with

with fruitcake

of the Audre lorde project

to rimbaud

ferrigno

may hope for a

future

like some glasses

land in the news

for “once upon

in opposition

of “rebel without a Cause”

piddle around

together

web site

team

perfect serves from

difranco’s “___ pretty girl”

The Canteena’s friendly faces Natalia Beatty and Alex

Little Shop of Horrors, originally a 1982 offBroadway horror musical come dy, brings a great score, campy vibes, and a jaw-dropping cast to San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT). The 60’s inspired mu sical follows Seymour Krelborn, an assistant florist at a plant shop in Skid Row that is strug gling to survive due to lack of customers. When Seymour buys a very unusual plant, he’s convinced by Audrey, his co-worker and love interest, to display it on the shop’s window to lure customers in. The stunt works, but at a very high and gory price.

We chatted with the show’s three leads and got the tea on their production of this cult classic.

SDMT’s production is unique because the director gave us the liberty to bring these characters to life in a realistic manner. We get to explore more into the characters and how it affects them rather than a campy approach.”, explained Ramiro García Jr., a graduate of the American Music and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), who plays quirky florist Seymour. “He is a young man trying to find a way to get out of living in Skid Row and making it in life. Eventually he is brought an opportunity to have everything he ever wanted but, with a cost he’d never imagined.”, says García, who was recently seen at SDMT in the role of Piragüa Guy in the successful musical

lITTle shOP Of hOrrOrs

horrors, sAngin’, And slAyin’…so go geT iT!

By: Berto Fernández

In the Heights. Ramiro started his rehearsal process by reading the script multiple times in hopes of finding the real Seymour and the author’s (Howard Ash man) intention with the development of this character. García even crafted his own carnivore plant at home to rehearse his connection to a nonliving object.” I am very similar to Seymour. So, I combined my experiences and his to bring him to life.”

Lena Ceja plays Audrey, “A hopeful beacon of light in this flower shop within Skid Row. She has not always seen the kindness she puts out into the world around her, yet she remains gentle and full of hope for a better life, and I just adore her.”, describes Ceja, who also shares that she’s a hard of hearing actor and faced some challenges when preparing for the role. “For me, personally, prepping for this show was a truly tedious process. I spent the entire month before rehearsals started learning her songs and getting the muscle memory to perform them. Being hard of hearing and trying to secure pitch and timing is just about as hard

as it may sound; I spent a lot of time singing into pitch tools and utilizing metronomes and pianos to ensure my accuracy. Not to mention, the loads of character work I pulled from the script to create my own rendition of Audrey. I’ve seen so many versions of her from Elle Greene to MJ Rodriguez and while I’ve loved each perspective of her, I wanted to bring the uniqueness of my struggles to the story of this character and create something special to me”, explained Lena, recently seen as Daniela in SDMT’s In the Heights.

Ceja mentions that the LGBTQ community will love this show because of the number of actors and creatives of our community involved with the production, as well as the outstanding vocals heard

throughout the production. She praises their director Kandace Crystal for allow ing them to make very real state ments within even the campiest of lines focusing on the authentic ity and honest representation of these characters as real people.

As the voice of the iconic blood-sucking plant, Audrey II, another In the Heights alumni, Domo D’dante, shares his experience with the show. “This role is a lot on my voice because of all the characterization, so I’ve been drink ing tons of water.”, explains D’dante, originally from Flint, Michigan, but now a prevalent member of San Diego LGBTQ and Theatre communities.” I think members of the LGBTQ community will love this show because it’s about a lot of misfits trying to make it in a world that is working against them. I think a lot of people can relate to that in our community. Plus, the music is catchy!”, shares D’dante.

Domo tells us that this production explores a lot of the darker and realistic themes of the piece. He also shares that his favorite song to sing is “Get It”, the rock/soul duet

with Seymour. Getting to build relationships with other cast members has been his favorite part of the process.

One of the significant aspects of this particular production is the diversity of the cast, and we absolutely love to see it. Featuring choreography by Luke Harvey Jacobs, and music direction by Richard Dueñez Morrison, this show promises to be a fabulous and more of an immersive experience, since the theater’s space is an intimate black box theater.

We asked the actors to describe Little Shop in 3 words. Ramiro chose entertaining, powerhouse, and believable. Lena also described the show as entertaining, but also camp, and a SLAY. Finally, Domo describes it as fun, energetic, and SANGIN’!

Little Shop of Horrors is the perfect show to have a kiki with your friends this Halloween season. Just one warning…

DON’T FEED THE PLANTS!

Little Shop of Horrors is presented by San Diego Musical Theatre through October 30th, 2022, at the SDMT Stage 4650 Mercury Street, San Diego, CA 92111. For tickets and information visit https://www.sdmt.org/shows /little-shop-of-horrors/

The cast of Little Shop of Horrors (Photos by Julie Licari Photography)

INTO THE BREECHES! (San Diego Premiere)

By George Brant

Directed by Diana Van Fossen

North Coast Rep

October 19 – November 13, 2022 https://northcoastrep.org/production /into-the-breeches/

A hilarious comedy set in a small American playhouse in 1942, where the actors and production staff are not seeing eye to eye, forcing a group of women to attempt putting up a successful Shakespeare production to keep the company from collapsing. This production will undoubtedly bring laughs and humorous stunts to entertain audiences.

FIRST DATE Book by Austin Winsberg Music & Lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner

Directed by Kevin “Blax” Burroughs On Stage Playhouse

October 14 - November 6, 2022 https://www.onstageplayhouse.org /copy-of-2021-2022-season

This musical comedy explores the story of Aaron, a first-time blind dater, who is set up with Casey, an expert at the matter. The dinner date becomes an unpredictable one, when both of their saboteurs show up to the restaurant in the form of friends, patrons, and family members, throwing them hilarious curveballs.

IT: THE PENNYWISE MUSICAL PARODY

Wildsong Productions

OB Playhouse

October 14 - October 31, 2022 http://wildsongproductions.showit.site/

Based on the hit horror novel by Stephen King, this 80’s and contemporary genre jukebox musical gives Pennywise, a shapeshifting evil clown, the stage in what promises to be a perfect Halloween outing of inappropriate comedy and terrifying visuals.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK (World premiere!)

By Nathan Englander

Directed by Barry Edelstein

Old Globe Theatre

Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre

Conrad Prebys Theatre Center

September 13 – October 23, 2022

https://www.theoldglobe.org/pdp/22-season /what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about -anne-frank/#calendar

Pulitzer Prize finalist Nathan Englander and director Barry Edelstein join forces once again to present this world premiere comedy about two high school friends who have been living completely opposite adult lives in terms of location, religion, and culture. Their friendship is challenged by their new lives, experiences, and even partners in life.

OUT lOUD: The PINk gala

By Stepping Stone of San Diego, i nc.

t’s the most highly antici pated event of the season in our community. Stepping Stone’s Living Out Loud is back! Join us Friday, October 14 at the Prado in Balboa Park for The Pink Gala.

As always, there will be great food, fantastic silent, and live auction items to bid on, and a chance to help the life-saving services of Stepping Stone.

This year, however, there is an incredible lineup of entertainment, featuring RuPaul Drag Race All-Stars Raven and Pandora Boxx, along with iconic San Diego performers for a show you don’t want to miss. See the full lineup announcement below.

Raven & Pandora Boxx Headline LOL’s Biggest Show Ever! Living Out Loud is always the event of the season in our community, but this year you will really be blue if you miss The Pink Gala. We have a star-studded lineup featuring two RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars and iconic local performers you know and love.

Glitz Glam, Transformation Artist Serving Gender Bending Raunchy Fierceness Since 1997, will be the MC from beginning to end. Autumn Leilani will be the DJ for the Gala. The super-talented Mariam T will be our auctioneer and Maya Glitterzone will be just about everywhere making sure the party never stops.

Who’s the headliner you ask? Well, the headline is THERE ARE TWO HEADLINERS! We are so excited that both RAVEN and PANDORA BOXX will be performing for us. Raven is famous for her quick wit, fashion sense and stunning makeup, while Pandora Box serves the deadly

one-two punch of beauty and comedy. They are guaranteed to WERK the room into a frenzy of delight!

If you only attend one event this fall, The Pink Gala is the one you absolutely don’t want to miss.

To create, improve and deliver alcohol and other drug treatment, HIV and other health interventions, recovery, education and prevention services specializing in the challenges of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities of the San Diego region.

As we plan our event for Friday, October 14th, 2022, we would like to invite you to partner with us as a special event sponsor. In addition to contributing to our programs and services, your donation will also allow us to show our gratitude to our Executive Director, Cheryl Houk. Her retirement will be honored at the event and with a special tile dedication ceremony.

Message from Michael Moore Chair – Board of Directors

We are weeks away from our annual Living Out Loud Gala, an exciting night of love and celebration supporting Stepping Stone of San Diego. For over 46 years, we have provided drug and alcohol treatment services with a focus on our San Diego LGBTQ+ community. Pink is Back for this year’s theme and an incredible night of entertainment will feature RuPaul’s Drag Race royalty Raven and Pandora Boxx along with other San Diego legends Mariam T, Maya Gitterzone, MC’d by Glitz Glam, and many more!

During the challenging times of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Stepping Stone’s open doors were essential to those challenged by addiction and mental health issues. Our annual fundraiser is vital to maintaining commitment of our core mission;

We look forward to you joining us for #PINKGala2022 and celebrating our mission, community of staff, alumni, and volunteers. Together we can assure that Stepping Stone will continue providing longterm residential recovery, outpatient treatment, aftercare services, sober living homes, harm reduction, and other lifesaving resources allowing us to meet people where they are.

Our event fundraising goal of 200K includes 100K from various levels of sponsorship that feature select promotional benefits. Attached are details regarding the sponsorship levels. We can also create a custom sponsorship matching your budget. Please visit us at steppingstonesd.org/ lol to donate or contact us for assistance.

Michael Moore (courtesy images)

RavenPandora Boxx

Glitz Glam

a New CaPTaIN AT MeeTMeonBoArd

By LGBTQ San Diego c ounty News Staff

eetMeOnBoard, the premier brand dedi cated solely to LGBTQ+ cruise enthusiasts, families, and al lies is handing over the helm of the brand. The new “Captain” will be Adam Martindale, of Martindale Travel and Tours LLC, dba Cruise Planners.

M

a variety of travel experiences such as food and wine, luxury, and of course cruise travel.

Mark den Hartog and Dale McCurdy, founders of the brand, report, “Many people’s lives have morphed post-COVID. Our life changes include more time for ourselves and for travel. Therefore, we are saying good bye to our “baby” MeetMeOnBoard.com, and passing it on into good hands. We have confidence in Adam Martindale to continue our vision with passion.”

Adam has over 30 years of ex perience, working for four major cruise lines, as well as luxury hotels and resorts as Food and Beverage Director. For 17 of those years Adam worked exclusively at sea and has an intimate knowledge of cruise ports, ships, and the industry.

Adam is based in San Diego and is a member of IGLTA, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association and NGLCC, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. He specializes in

Upcoming group travel includes enjoying the beautiful Celebrity Solstice, sailing out of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera in March 2023 and a fall foliage cruise on the luxuri ous Oceania Insignia sailing in October 2023 from Montreal to Boston. For details on these and future travel opportunities visit www.meetmeonboard.com

Says Martindale, “As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’m so excited to be able to incorporate MeetMeOnboard in my travel business. I have worked with Mark and Dale for 6 years and have already coordinated successful group cruises with them. I see a very bright future for this brand as a resource for LGBTQ+ travelers as well as being a preferred option for group travel. My long-term business goal is to have divisions within my travel business. Along with my luxury food and wine division, having a LGBTQ+ division was always important to me. The MeetMeOnboard brand helps me achieve this goal and provide a service to our community.”

The long Journey

“sTaY ON The PaTh”

By r andall Blaum

Over the last year I have opened up about my journey so everyone can know that a regular person can make a huge life choice, make a change, and make a difference in their life.

It’s been tough. It’s been great. It’s saved my life. I’ve accomplished so much in such a short amount of time, and I am proud of that, but…

I’m not happy with where I am. How can that be you may ask? I lost nearly 90 pounds, I’ve transformed into a body builder, and love how I look and feel – this is true, but…

I want it all and I want it all now! I want to lose that last 17 pounds. I want the muscles I’ve worked so hard to build to show up fully so they can be seen all the time. Am I vain to have this desire? Maybe, but it is there.

This last week I hit the wall. I was working out and literally ran out of gas. Had to stop my workout. Rarely does that happen. Then my body told me to take the next day off and the next day and the next. This has never happened.

I was exhausted. Just getting up and going to work was about all I could do. How did this happen? I was going along just fine and then, boom! Dead in the water.

I dug deep inside myself for the answer and the answer has always been right there. I knew the answer is that I am doing too much, not recharging, and not enough “me” time.

However, it took driving with a friend, who is annoyingly honest, to get me to hear it in my heart.

I have prioritized too many things and now my body is telling me to pull back. Easier said than done.

What do you give up? Work ing out? Hell no! Work? Can’t. My foundation? No way. So, what’s left?

For me it’s the fact that I want, and do, help a lot of people. I’m one of the go-to folks for a lot of my friends, and that’s finally taken a toll. I was so busy helping others I didn’t leave enough time to help myself.

That caused me to have to stop lifting for almost a week so I could build back energy.

The main point I have is how many of us use our time and resources to help others – sometimes to the detriment of ourselves? Helping is good; it’s essential. But if you take yourself out of the equation and only help others you end up hurting yourself.

I look at the then and now photos of me and, wow, I can never go back to who and what I was.

I also know I need to love me as much as I do my friends or I’ll wake up losing part of me.

When you are on a health journey, your body will talk to you. It will give you early warning signs and then, like me, if you ignore them, it’ll smack you down and let you know it needs attention.

No matter where you are on your health journey learning to truly listen to your body is critical. Most of us don’t do this intentionally.

As I write this, I am in Burbank prepping for a television interview on ABC later today. All good and fun, but I’m still tired, and saying “yes” to everything has cost me a week in the gym and I hate that.

I love working out; I’m good at it and it’s good for me. Now I’m doing things that are not part of my core mission and being upset that I’m not at the gym, but I can only blame myself.

I’m about to begin another health journey. This time for mental and spiritual health. I must continue to make the hard choice to make some big changes in my life, and some people won’t like them this time. Yet these changes still must be made.

On every health journey there is a balance and when you are out of balance it manifests as tiredness, grouchiness, just not feeling like “you”, and more.

If there is a single piece of advice I can leave you with as you go on your own journey, it is to pay attention to YOU. While the Universe may have endless supplies of energy, you do not. Listen to the small voices we all have. Listen to your body. Listen to yourself.

If you don’t take care of you, how can you help others and how can you live a truly fulfilled life?

Stay on the path.

Adam Martindale, Dale McCurdy & Mark den Hartog (courtesy images)

(courtesy images)

GRAND OPENING

NIghTMare ON NOrMal sTreeT

By The h illcrest Business a ssociation

Hillcrest’s haunted Halloween dance party and costume competition is back! With late night live entertainment, a costume competition runway, outdoor bars, and the best people watching in all of San Diego - this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Nightmare on Normal Street will take over Pride Flag Plaza (at Normal Street and University Ave.) for this community fundraising event benefiting the San Diego LGBT Community Center and the Hillcrest Business Association.

Pre-sale general admission tickets are now available for only $20. Eat, drink and be scary with our VIP pass for $45, which includes two cocktails, food credit, private restrooms and private stage viewing. Ticket prices will increase to $25 for General Admission and $55 for VIP on the week of the event.

Nightmare on Normal Street is from 5 pm - 11 pm and will feature local DJs and live performances throughout the night.

THE EVENING’S CHILLS AND THRILLS INCLuDE:

· Doors open at 5pm.

· Main Stage with local DJs and live performances

· Runway show costume competitions

· $2,000 shopping prize

for costume competition winner

· Food trucks with delicious bites

· “Stranger Things” selfie stations throughout the venue

· Outdoor block party and dance floor

· Two bars serving up spooky cocktails and beer

· Best Halloween people-watching in San Diego

· Pet Costume Competition

· Special Drag Queen guest performances

The Hillcrest Business Association was established in 1921, making it the oldest business association in San Diego. The Hillcrest Business Improvement District was created in 1984. The HBA represents over 1,300 businesses and acts as a liaison between the business community and the city while encouraging economic develop ment for the Hillcrest area through events

and promotions. The Business Association also employs private security patrols in the core of our neighborhood, maintains cleanli ness on the streets and keeps the Hillcrest Sign shining bright.

Hillcrest’s annual Halloween event began in 1992 as a community celebration outside of the San Diego LGBT Community Center.

In 2014, the Hillcrest Business Association took over as producer of the event. Since then, the event has continued to grow for the community.

TAKes oVer pride plAZA in hillCresT ThE SaTurDay OcTOBEr 29Th EvENT WiLL FEaTurE a BLOck ParTy, ENTErTaiNmENT aND cOSTumE cOmPETiTiON

A

murder suspect is expected to plead guilty on Oct. 19 in the stabbing death of his husband in 2020.

Daniel Scott Jordan, 46, has signed a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s office involving the death of Kevin Powell, 38, but the terms of the agreement are not yet public record.

Attorneys on both sides were ready to proceed with the guilty plea on Sept. 22 in El Cajon Superior Court, but the jail could not produce Jordan because he was in medical isolation due to COVID-19 exposure.

Powell was stabbed 50 times and was found in bed with a knife still in his body, according to Deputy District Attorney Eva Kilamyan. Two detectives made the discovery on Aug. 11, 2020, when they made a welfare check on him at his La Mesa home in the 4400 block of Carmen Drive where he lived with Jordan.

Jordan had fled to Nevada but was arrested in Reno and was extradited back to San Diego. He has not yet had a preliminary hearing.

Powell was a well-liked employee in the human resources department for the city of Chula Vista. He missed two online meetings on Oct. 11, 2020, during the pandemic, which is why detectives showed up at his home to do a welfare check.

Jordan remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility without bail.

dAniel JordAn expeCTed To PleaD gUIlTY TO sTaBBINg hIs hUsBaND IN 2020

By Neal Putnam

U.S. CONGRESS

District 48: Stephen Houlahan District 49: Mike Levin District 50: Scott Peters District 51: Sara Jacobs District 52: Juan Vargas

STATE SENATE

District 18: Steve Padilla District 38: Catherine Blakespear District 40: Joseph Rocha

STATE ASSEMBLY

District 74: Chris Duncan District 76: Brian Maienschein District 77: Tasha Boerner Horvath District 78: Chris Ward District 79: Dr. Akilah Weber

CHULA VISTA MAYOR

VOTE TUESDAY, NOV. 8

STATEWIDE OFFICES

U.S Senate: Alex Padilla

Governor: Gavin Newsom Lt. Govenor: Eleni Kounalakis

Secretary of State:Shirley Weber Controller: Malia Cohen Treasurer: Fiona Ma Attorney General: Rob Bonta Insurance Commissioner:Ricardo Lara

Supt. of Public Instruction: Tony Thurmond Board of Equalization: Mike Schaefer

CITY OF SAN DIEGO

Measure D: Vote Yes

Championed by Mayor Todd Gloria

Proposition 1: Yes Championed by State Senator Toni Atkins

Proposition 26: Yes Proposition 27: No Proposition 29: No

CITY OF SAN DIEGO

Council Dist. 2: Dr Jen Campbell Council Dist. 4: Monica Montgomery Steppe Council Dist. 6: Kent Lee Council Dist. 8: Vivian Moreno

COUNTY OFFICES

Supervisor, Dist. 4: Nathan Fletcher Supervisor, Dist. 5: Ti any Boyd-Hodgson Board of Education, District 3: Alicia Munoz Board of Education, District 5: Rick Shea

County Assessor-Recorder Jordan Marks:

Sheriff San Diego County: Kelly Martinez Treasurer-Tax Collector: Dan McAllister

EDUCATION OFFICES

Community College, Dist. C: Maria Nieto Senour SD Unified School Board, Dist. B: Shana Hazan

Mayor: Ammar Campa-Najjar

Brian Maienschein

Kent Lee Jordan Marks

Joseph Rocha Kelly Martinez

Daniel Jordan (courtesy image)

Kevin Powell (courtesy image)

MAyor gloriA’s forMer neighBor seNTeNCeD TO sIx-MONTh JaIl TerM CrAwford fired seVerAl shoTs inTo The Air during proTesT

By Neal Putnam

A

former neighbor of May or Todd Gloria has been sentenced to six months in custody for firing gunshots in the air while protesters were picketing outside Gloria’s home over how police were handling homeless people.

Lonnie James Crawford, 38, who is free on $100,000 bond, was given the date of Nov. 14 to report to the central jail to start his sentence.

He was also placed on two years probation by San Diego Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon in an alternative custody program which could involve home detention, work furlough, or other options.

Court records say he will be screened for work furlough and if his job qualifies, he could be allowed to work days and be in a work furlough center at night and weekends for six months.

No one was injured in the Aug. 30, 2021, incident when

people were picketing outside Gloria’s apartment building in Mission Hills about how police treat homeless people. Crawford drove his truck through the crowd of people and then apparently was angered by the protest.

Crawford angrily told a few protesters he would “shoot them in the f...(obscenity) face” before returning to his apartment, according to papers filed by the District Attorney’s office.

Crawford fired several shots into the air, which caused San Diego Police officers to show up at his apartment. Initially it was reported that Crawford only fired one shot.

Officers were already there as a result of the protest, so they didn’t have to go far to find Crawford’s apartment around 9 p.m.

Crawford’s roommate let of ficers inside, and police found

two unregistered firearms along with “a usable quantity of cocaine,” according to court documents. Crawford was arrested.

He pleaded guilty to a felony of discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner. The cocaine charge was dismissed. He had to give up his weapons because a felon could not possess firearms.

He is no longer Gloria’s neighbor and has moved to Point Loma. At the time, Gloria issued a statement saying people were peacefully protesting and he was glad police arrested someone “who [...] senselessly fired a gun.” Gloria did not ever say if he knew Crawford.

Crawford was fined $1,190 and given credit for one day previously spent in jail.

People were walking around with signs that read “End police terror on the homeless” and “Stop the sweeps”.

PU

OlUTION

FrOm

Lonnie James Crawford (courtesy image)