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It takes a village

By Nicole Murray-Ramirez

03/26/2020
in Conversations with Nicole, Featured, Top Story
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It takes a village
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It is in difficult times that our community shines in so many ways. These days, in many ways, remind a lot of us of the early dark years of the AIDS crisis. As many of you know, the Imperial Courts chapters have been around since the early 1960s and now we have chapters in 70 cities within the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Imperial Court de San Diego has been around for 48 years and helped established the San Diego County AIDS Assistance Fund, Tijuana AIDS Fund and San Diego AIDS Walk (with founder Susan Jester). About two weeks ago, Emperor Mikie Lochner called me about helping people with food who have lost their jobs as many have in the entertainment/service industry (bars, restaurants, etc.). So, we came up with the Emergency Food Voucher Fund. The Imperial Court de San Diego put in the first $5,000 and established the fund, giving out $50 Ralphs/Vons food gift cards to people in need, including families with children. As of this date, due to the generosity of so many people, the Emergency Food Voucher Fund will have given out more than $15,000 in vouchers! This includes $2,500 for the LGBT Center’s clients and families in need. I want to especially thank Bill Ash, Chris Shaw, SF Emperor Jerry, Joe Letzkus, Tom Hebrank, Tom Urbanski, Marsha Elmendorf and City Council candidate Stephen Whitburn.

There are many people in our communities across North America who live alone, be they single or seniors (especially many LGBTQ seniors), so we launched our “Reach Out and Touch Someone” project encouraging and reminding people to check in on their friends regularly by phone, email, text, letters, etc. For people isolated by themselves, it means a lot and makes a big difference knowing that someone cares and they’re not alone. Why not make a list so that you reach out to these people regularly.

“Operation: Royal Mask” A project focusing on members of our community who are sewing and making face masks because of the low supply (Paris of Inside Out Restaurant even has a video showing you how to make them). The Imperial Courts across North America have hundreds of “Betsy Ross” friends sewing away.

“Operation: Free Comic Books” is launching this weekend for families with children. Our schools are closed so children are home and these free comics will help brighten their day. I must most sincerely thank Princess Betty Pages of Denver, Colorado, who owns one of the biggest comic-book stores in the entire world! This week, he shipped me hundreds of comic books from his famous Mile High Comics store and they’re for children ranging in age from 4 to 12 years old. Thank you, Betty, for being as generous as usual (Pages also regularly feeds the homeless in Denver).

There have been so many acts of kindness and support for our projects and I especially want to thank: Tom Hebrank, who regularly drops off “snacks” (cookies, chips, etc.) for children and families we give food vouchers to; Fina/Joseph, for getting that big donation; especially Empress Regina Styles of the Redwing Bar and Grill, who made all our logos (she is the best!); and Carolina Ramos of our LGBT Center — just so many wonderful, caring people. Also, thanks to the members of the Imperial Court de San Diego board of directors, who have helped with these projects: Michael Zarbo (our hard-working treasurer), Steven Blocker, Robert Rodriguez and his partner Scott Parman (who have both played a major part in delivering the food vouchers), Emperor Randy and Huggy Bear Mark, our President Mikie Lochner — all of them have played a part in these projects. And, of course, one of our community’s “angels”…yes, the one and only “Big Mike,” who always plays a big role in all of our projects and benefits. Also, Jonathan Hale, SDGLN, Hale Media, COVID-19 Support Group, Eddie Rey and the Business Alliance. A special shout-out to our elected public officials who are making a big difference by their leadership and hard work: Mayor Kevin Faulconer; City Council President Georgette Gomez; Councilman Chris Ward; state Assembly members Todd Gloria and Lorena Gonzalez; California Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins; Police Chief David Nisleit; Sheriff Bill Gore; County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher; and their outstanding staff members.

Also, God bless our nurses, doctors, postal workers, grocery workers, trash collectors, flight attendants, pharmacy staff, etc. Yes, it most certainly “takes a village” in every way to be able to do all these things and there are a lot of unsung heroes involved in these projects. Let’s not forget that organizations like our LGBT Community Center, Being Alive San Diego, Mama’s Kitchen, etc., are also doing a lot of reaching out and helping people in need.

But we cannot continue to do this without your help — please donate to the Imperial Court de San Diego, especially for our Emergency Food Voucher Fund: https://secure.piryx.com/donate/5wtUUjlZ/Imperial-Court-de-San-Diego-Inc/

Go Fund Me:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-food-vouchers?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Make checks payable to ICSD and send to: Imperial Court de San Diego, Inc. P.O. Box 34104, San Diego, CA 92163. Contact Michael Lochner at 619-972-6369. www.imperialcourtsandiego.com

To contact me: 619-241-5672. Nicole Murray Ramirez, P.O. Box 33915, San Diego, CA, 92163, and [email protected]

God bless you all. Our village will survive this and we will have one huge celebration!

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It's the right time to get involved! Whether you w It's the right time to get involved! Whether you want to volunteer - or run for office - YOU can do it! @BennyC80 shares encouragement for anyone who wants to make a difference.

READ THE FULL STORY VIA THE LINK IN OUR BIO OR AT: lgbtqsd.news/its-the-right-time-to-get-involved/
It's the right time to get involved! Whether you w It's the right time to get involved! Whether you want to volunteer - or run for office - YOU can do it! @BennyC80 shares encouragement for anyone who wants to make a difference.

READ THE FULL STORY VIA THE LINK IN OUR BIO OR AT: lgbtqsd.news/its-the-right-time-to-get-involved/
@thestudiodoor is launching a new annual exhibitio @thestudiodoor is launching a new annual exhibition called ART+ LGBT History Month, in conjunction with October’s LGBT History Month.

Held Oct. 5-28, the month-long exhibit will feature the work of local artists, including Jackie Han, Carole Kuck, RD Riccoboni, Joe Phillips, and a number of works curated from Lambda Archives’ extensive collection.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE VIA THE LINK IN OUR BIO OR AT: https://lgbtqsd.news/get-your-art-on-for-lgbt-history-month/
BREAKING NEWS: Southern California Shop Owner Murd BREAKING NEWS: Southern California Shop Owner Murdered Over Rainbow Flag Dispute.

Lauri Rosenthal Carleton, owner of fashion boutique Mag.Pi (@magpi_shop) in Cedar Glen, Calif., was murdered Friday night, according to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. Those close to Carleton say the gunman shot her over a dispute about an LGBTQ pride flag hung outside her shop.

According to an initial report by the San Diego Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, Carleton was shot by the male suspect who arrived at her store and erratically removed the pride flag she had hung outside of her shop to express her support for the LGBTQ community. 

Carleton was said to have confronted the male after he removed the flag, who then shot her multiple times before fleeing. Carleton was pronounced dead from the gunshot injuries on the scene by emergency medical personnel.

READ THE FULL STORY VIA THE LINK IN OUR BIO OR AT: https://lgbtqsd.news/southern-california-shop-owner-murdered-over-rainbow-flag-dispute/
Due to police activity that began just after 7:15p Due to police activity that began just after 7:15pm Thurs, today’s print issue of LGBTQ San Diego County News will be delayed.  Several streets near our printer’s office remained closed as of 11:30am this morning. 

We will update you as we learn more. 

In the meantime visit lgbtqsd.news to read our digital @Issuu. We are working to get all stories posted online by day’s end. 

Our friends at @abc10news have the full story on the Carlsbad standoff at bit.ly/3YqkhBB or via the link in our bio. 

Photo by Maria Coronel- 10 News
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Happy Pride, San Di 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Happy Pride, San Diego! We hope you’re having a wonderful, safe, joyful celebration this weekend! 

#Pride2023 #HillcrestSanDiego #SDPride #LGBTQ @hillcrestsandiego @SanDiegoPride
🏳️‍🌈 #SDPride weekend is now here! Benny 🏳️‍🌈 #SDPride weekend is now here! Benny Cartwright (@BennyC80) shares his thoughts on poor behavior by some non-LGBTQ guests in our local bars and venues.

Read the full column at the link in our bio.

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🏳️‍🌈🎨 The PROUD+ exhibition, produced 🏳️‍🌈🎨 The PROUD+ exhibition, produced by @TheStudioDoor, will feature the artwork of 50 contemporary artists from across the nation who identify as LGBTQIA+. 

Read all about it at the link in our bio.

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🏳️‍🌈 Looking for something to do the Mon 🏳️‍🌈 Looking for something to do the Monday after Pride? We've got a couple options listed in our 2023 #SDPride Guide!

On Monday, July 17, if you're feeling like giving back, you can join the Bankers Hill or Hillcrest Post-Pride Community Cleanups! If you're feeling more like letting loose (or after the cleanup), head to @gossipgrill_ for F*#k Pride Monday!

Get the details at the link in our bio.

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