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14


GAY SAN DIEGO October 8-October 21, 2010


COMMUNITY VOICES Dave Roberts


or the second year, the City of Oceanside has issued a proclamation to recognize October as “Diversity Awareness Month.” However, for the first time Oceans- ide Mayor Jim Wood has added Pride@ the beach! to his proclama- tion, stating “The North County LGBT Coalition has


chosen to hold its annual Pride@


Diversity Awareness Month in Oceanside F


the beach! event in our area, emphasizing their freedom of choice.” Our freedom of choice? Well,


I guess the city’s sensitivity training still needs an update, but we welcome the spirit and the effort of this proclamation where our LGBT families are finally acknowledged. The month of October seems


to be a great time to recognize everyone’s diversity. Since 1988, National Coming Out Day has been celebrated on Oct. 11 in the United States and Oct. 12 in


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England. It was founded after the success of the second National March on Washington for Les- bian and Gay rights, where more than 500,000 people marched for equality. Ever since, the goal of National Coming Out Day has been to raise awareness of the LGBT community among the general population. By the time this issue of Gay San Diego is out, Pride@the beach! will be just a day away, so make sure to stop by on Saturday Oct. 9, from11 a.m. to 6 p.m., just south of the Oceanside Pier (for more information, see page 2). If you missed it, you can always send a financial contribution to north- countycoalition.org, and the pro- ceeds for “Pride@the beach!” will benefit our local high schools’ gay-straight alliances throughout the year.


Another significant North


County event that is held this month is Amnesty International’s annual “Candlelight Walk for Human Rights.” This year’s walk will be on Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oceanside Pier Plaza Amphitheatre (also just south of the Oceanside Pier). Hundreds of progressive citizens from all backgrounds will be there for the walk, and the North County LGBT Coalition has endorsed the event for the first time, in solidar- ity with those children that are still persecuted through human trafficking and slavery in many areas of the world, including San Diego County. A few days later, on Oct. 20,


our friends with the Palomar College LGBTQA will be hosting their second annual Coming Out Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event includes music and an open mic. If you can, please support their event by participating. You can find more information at palomar.edu/clubs/lgbtq/. Finally, I want to introduce you to an “out” public servant here in North County who has created more acceptance by being visible as a husband and a father of five children. David W. Roberts, a current member of the Solana Beach City Council and board member for the North County Transit District, is shar- ing his experience with us.


Northern Exposure: David,


you are one of the most respected and active Solana Beach Council members. How important was it for you and your family to live openly in the community where you serve and has this visibility created any problems for you here in North County?


David Roberts: Solana Beach


is a warm and caring community that welcomes diversity. Since my first election to Council in 2004, my community has welcomed Wally and our five young children and has supported us through the years. Our community values its quality of life and I am known for my consensus style of leader- ship to bring out the best in every individual.


As an LGBT elected official, I


www.gay-sd.com


MAX DISPOSTI


NORTHERN EXPOSURE


strive to lead by example and be a role model for respect and accep- tance of all diversity. Just today, I was working with another elected official from North San Diego County on public safety issues and ensuring that we are sensi- tive and inclusive of all people. I am pleased that my public service and visibility has not created any problems for my family or me and I encourage all individuals to cel- ebrate their diversity and not be ashamed of their own true self.


Northern Exposure: How


important is the visibility and sup- port of our LGBT families here in the North County?


see Northern, pg 23


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