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Conversations with Nicole
Published Thursday, 16-Apr-2009 in issue 1112
Well I’m off to Denver but I’ll be back this Sunday night for the world premiere of Dear Harvey at the Divisionary Theatre. I hear that some actor, between 60 and 80-years-old, has been cast as me in the play, hmmm.
Charlie Gaffey benefit this Sunday
One of San Diego’s most popular bartenders, Charlie Gaffey, from Caliph, Loft and Shooters, will be celebrating his birthday at the True North Tavern, formerly Shooters, this Sunday, April 19, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event will also be a fund-raiser for Charlie, who is fighting cancer. You’re all invited. For more information, call 619-807-7324.
Yom Hashoah
April 20 is the official Day of Remembrance or Yom Hashoah for all those millions of Jewish men, women and children killed in the Holocaust. What I continue to find so disturbing is that there are some people who say the Holocaust never happened. A recent poll found that at least 15 percent of those surveyed believe the Holocaust didn’t happen. We must always remember and talk about the Holocaust and educate people about it. Remember, thousands of homosexuals and gypsies were also killed.
Easter Sunrise Service
On Easter Sunday, I got up at 5:30 a.m. to join my good friends Big Mike and Julia Legaspie for the annual Sunrise Service at Balboa Park with a full choir, orchestra and the beautiful Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Major San Diego churches and the Ecumenical Council of San Diego sponsored this beautiful event. La Jolla Presbyterian Church hosted, and Rev. Paul Cunningham gave the most wonderful sermon. After the service, Mike, Julia and I were interviewed live on KUSI Channel 9, and I wished all San Diegans a Happy Easter and Passover.
Councilmembers Gloria, DeMaio and Faulconer donated 250 Easter baskets
A big thank you to Councilmembers Todd Gloria, Carl DeMaio and Kevin Faulconer who, between them, donated more than 250 children’s Easter egg baskets. Their support helped make this years’ annual Easter Egg Hunt at Trolley Barn Park a huge success. A big thank you to The San Diego LGBT Community Center, Family Matters, Ben Dillingham, Rick Ford, Robert Gleason, Sarah, Redwing Bar and Grill, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the leather community, San Diego Rodeo Association, Wal-Mart – which donated 100 baskets, La La and Chris Merkley Mortuary, California Bank and Trust, the Greater San Diego Business Association, Bourbon St., Lei Lounge, Heavenly Delights Music and Nick Moede of Rich’s for his donation of Easter baskets. A big thank you also to Emperor Chris and Empress Selena Diamond, along with Jim Ginelli, Jane Schmoll and Carolina Ramos of The Center and all the volunteers.
Almost 600 children from 1-12 years showed up. It was just a wonderful afternoon. Councilmembers Gloria and DeMaio gave out Padre Skybox city skybox seat tickets to six lucky winners. When I launched our first hunt, seven years ago, we only had about 50 children. Now we have more than 500! Thank you.
Support Gun Control
I have always been a strong advocate for gun control. I am sick and tired of all these mass killings. Our churches, schools and homes are not safe anywhere in America. About 90 percent of guns used in the recent gang violence in Mexico are from the U.S. The first major step we must do is stop these “gun shows” where anyone can, and does, purchase a gun. But the cold hard fact is that the National Rifle Association has bought the votes of many of our congressmembers and senators by giving them hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions. Please support gun control.
Jose Julio Sarria to receive Milk award
In 1961, “homosexuality” was illegal in California as well as in the nation. In fact, lesbians and gay men were sent to mental hospitals just because they were homosexual. You could not own a bar if you were gay in 1961 and police harassment and brutality against homosexuals was commonplace. It was in this ugly environment that World War II veteran and proud gay Latino, Jose Julio Sarria, borrowed a suit and became the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in 1961. Sarria paved the way for Harvey Milk to win his office seat 16 years later. Thus it’s very symbolic and right that Jose will receive the first annual Harvey Milk Civil Rights Award of San Diego at the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on May 22. More than 500 tickets have already been sold. So get your tickets and tables today. For more information, call 619-692-2077, ext. 204.
Transgender Day of Empowerment
Almost 400 people showed up at The Center for the sixth annual Transgender Day of Empowerment, sponsored by the California Endowment and Family Health Centers of San Diego. This year’s event was about “honoring the 40th anniversary of Stonewall.” Councilmember Todd Gloria was in attendance and spoke. Thanks to organizers Tracie O’Brien, Connor Maddox, Jelecia King, Jennifer Miller, Paola Gonzalez and the entire host committee for a job well done. I was very honored to be this years’ keynote speaker, and it was good to see so many people come out and support our transgender community.
‘Dear Harvey’ opens at the Diversionary Theatre
The world premiere of the play Dear Harvey will open this week at the Diversionary Theatre before it hits San Francisco, Hollywood and New York. Milk’s openly gay nephew Stuart Milk is flying in for the event. Dear Harvey will play in San Diego for a limited engagement. So get your tickets today. Congratulations to fabulous playwright Patricia Loughrey, director Dan Kirsch and the entire cast. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 619-220-6830.
Miss Cadillac in the Back:
says:
....hope your get the proper care in Denver that you did'nt seem to get on your last East Coast visit....there is still much help and love everywhere and there will be a cure for Mental Illness or whatever Miss Thing seems to have!....
Apr 16, 2009 5:01 PM
Marcus
says:
Nic-old,
Apr 16, 2009 6:10 PM
Mike
says:
Nicold:
Apr 17, 2009 5:25 AM
Greg
says:
It would be nice if some of the laws already on the books for gun control were enforced and tougher ones added, but, its not going to happen anytime soon as the Democrats are running boo about anything to do with gus, the NRA has shown they will make it next to impossible for the party to win if they do.
Apr 17, 2009 7:12 AM
Queen Ida Nough
says:
Nicole, Thanks for all the laughs!
Apr 17, 2009 10:30 AM
Nicole
says:
1. Any contributions that former Marine SGT. Lehman gave to a political
party were ear marked for Mayor Sander’s Re-election campaign… Period.
Apr 17, 2009 4:07 PM
Questioning Queer
says:
Nicole, since when are questions considered lies?
Apr 17, 2009 5:28 PM
SDivided
says:
Nicole, it is really sad that the last years of your life will be remember
for the following:
Apr 17, 2009 6:56 PM
That's illegal
says:
Nicole comments that "Any contributions that former Marine SGT. Lehman gave
to a political party were ear marked for Mayor Sander’s Re-election
campaign… Period."
Apr 18, 2009 2:34 AM
Bryan
says:
Nicole, I am wondering, why can’t you sign your real name "Robert Ramirez"? And back up your statements with you full name and facts?
Apr 18, 2009 10:12 AM
Edward T.
says:
Can you define "business people"?
Apr 18, 2009 12:52 PM
big mike
says:
Wow... Ugly how so many people have to be so hurtful. It really surprises me how curtain people can take the time to always attack Nicole, call him names and just right out be hateful. You may not agree or even care on how Nicole does things, but what is with all this just right out hatefulness. Are these people so unhappy with how they must feel about themselves that they have to attack another human being.If you dislike Nicole so much then may I make a suggestion. Instead of spending so much time showing and expressing your hate , Why not take that same energy and help people in our community that you actually like or care about and make a difference in their lives. No matter what you feel about Nicole he has been out there in the fore front of making a difference in so many OTHER PEOPLES LIVES. If you do not agree with him that's OK. Why not join in his efforts and see how wonderful it makes those you help feel and how wonderful it will make you feel as well. It beats all that angry and hateful energy . I welcome your kindness and compassion out there in the community that needs us so desperately in making a positive difference in helping others. So I look forward to seeing you next comment on how you spent helping someone else, and sharing that joy with the rest of us. God Bless You. big mike
Apr 19, 2009 9:09 AM
Hillcrest Business Owner
says:
Big Mike,
Apr 19, 2009 1:13 PM
Chuck C.
says:
Dear Mike,
Apr 19, 2009 5:31 PM
Tom from North Park
says:
Big Mike,
Apr 20, 2009 0:44 AM
Mike
says:
Thank you for the information Nicold. Seems as if your response has
illicited some insights to your dealings and mis-information.
Apr 20, 2009 6:00 AM
Nicole Murray-Ramirez
says:
Carl DeMaio has come out publicly what he has always felt privately. The
District 5 City Councilmember has shown his support for same-sex marriage
in Editor Tom Blair’s column in the May issue of San Diego Magazine. Be
sure to read my column next week for all the details.
Apr 20, 2009 9:25 AM
Wacko Alert!
says:
Wow, is Nicole advertising next weeks column by entering a nonrelated
rambling to the public comments on this weeks column?
Apr 20, 2009 10:53 AM
Mike
says:
No, it is attempting to deflect any bad PR it is receiving from the
Intelligent Hillcrest Community!
Apr 20, 2009 1:19 PM
Marty from Hillcrest
says:
All of this has gone too far. Nicole has been an advocate for our community for DECADES. He deserves our respect. Why don't we follow Big Mike's example and do good in our community? You may not agree with Nicole all the time, but there is no reason to attack him. Thank you, Nicole, for all the things you do for our community!
Apr 20, 2009 4:31 PM
BIG MIKE
says:
Dear Angry Writers, I find that all this hatefulness and anger toward Nicole and now me, is so much waste of energy. I had hoped you would moved forward with my suggestion and take all that negative energy and put it to better use in helping others .I was hoping you could try and move past what has already happen and learn to forgive. Take all the kindness and compassion( I know you do have) and help those you care and love that need our support. Life is so precious and important . I have a dear and loving friend of 30 years who is fighting for his life and battling 4 different cancers. I know that my prayers and thoughts are with helping him get better. All I ask is it that you just let all this anger go and move forward in a way that makes you a happier and better person.To just keep on going on with all this nastiness doesn't make anyone better of a person. Be an example of who you really are. I really feel in my heart that you are a good and decent person. I look forward to seeing that side of you instead of all this hate. I wish you nothing but good , forgiveness, love and happiness in your life.It really is a much easier way of living. May there be peace in your heart. Thank you for reading this. big mike
Apr 20, 2009 9:24 PM
Michael Portantino
says:
You may have noticed I have stopped approving the vial hateful comments you post multiple times a day. Some going as far as wishing Nicole to die. You say you are boycotting this newspaper and its advertisers yet you post multiple times a day behind shadow names without the guts to sign your real name. Everyone in this paper puts our name on what we write. Like it or not. Grow some. You are a coward with a personal axe to grind. Why not challenge Nicole to putting your record next to his? Why not challenge him to a public debate? If you have all this proof as you've said, you will be the victor and have discredited him for the public to see and will have won their support. If not, then the public will see you for who you are. What do you have to loose? Personal note from me to you. Only cowards hide under ash covered rocks needing their hair done.
Apr 21, 2009 9:51 AM
Ken Harbison
says:
Speaking of "tires and boring"... Let it go Mike....we're tired of your
same old rants!!!!
Apr 22, 2009 10:18 AM
Rick Wilson...Hillcrest
says:
....very sad to see the Publisher writing in the comments section intended for its readers' opinions....and now are screened to his own liking....
Apr 22, 2009 10:54 AM
george
says:
Rick, what an idiot. Every news paper filters posts for illegal activity, statements that could be liable, blatant intntional false statements and usually to filter out things that are personal and have nothing to do with the content of the paper. It seem to me Portantino has printed many things critical of himself, his staff and his paper. It seems to me that he drew the line here at death wishes and calls for last breaths to be drawn. Sounds reasonable to me.
Apr 22, 2009 11:16 AM
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