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GAY SAN DIEGO December 17-30, 2010


OPINION In Memoriam: Michael G. Portantino (1958-2010)


“In the end, he al- most always earned the respect of his community.”


While some viewed Mi-


chael Portantino as a provo- cateur, merely creating or magnifying controversy to boost the Gay & Lesbian Times’ readership, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Perhaps nowhere was this more apparent than in his lively editorial meet- ings, during which the feisty New Jersey native would argue with ruddy-cheeked fervor for what he believed to be the best interests of the community and the LGBT civil rights movement. He knew he couldn’t make everyone happy, and that calling commu- nity leaders and organizations on the carpet had the potential to isolate some readers. It was a risk he was willing to take, and one that occasionally caused him to lose advertisers. But in the end, he almost always earned the respect of his community. As a former Gay & Lesbian


Times editor who continued to contribute to the publication years after my departure, I was deeply saddened by the news of Michael’s death. Michael took enormous pride in his publica- tion. The journalism my col- leagues and I produced under his stewardship makes me proud to this day. During my tenure, from 2000 to 2004, Michael was adamant that each week’s editorial be copied and archived in a series of three-ring binders for later reference. He was just as quick to point out editorials in which he felt he had erred in judgment, as those he felt had served the community well.


In four teeming portfolios, I


too have archives of nearly every cover story, article and editorial I wrote for the Gay & Lesbian Times. Tucked between a copy of an old article about California’s LGBT legislators and a piece about some drag queens brawl- ing in front of The Center I found several of Michael’s personal,


FROM PAGE 1 PORTANTINO


and was instrumental in helping secure the organization’s current space on Centre Street in Hillcrest. Delores Jacobs, The Cen- ter’s chief executive officer, said


GAY SAN DIEGO


3737 Fifth Ave. Suite 201 San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 519-7775


PUBLISHER David Mannis


(619) 519-7775 x101


dmannis@sduptownnews.com EDITOR


Pat Sherman


(619) 519-7775 x102 pat@sduptownnews.com


ASSISTANT EDITOR Lauren Ventura (619) 519-7775 x103 anne@sduptownnews.com


PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANT Elena Buckley


(619) 519-7775 x110 jessica@sduptownnews.com


hand-written thank you cards—an old-school expression of gratitude rarely practiced then or now. But that’s that kind of man Michael was, thoughtful and generous to a fault. Whether you had occasion to disagree with his positions, never doubt for a second that he put the concerns of his com- munity and family above all else. Thank you, Michael.


—Pat Sherman, former Gay & Lesbian Times editor


“His energy for ideas, life, love and the LGBT com- munity was conta- gious.”


When I arrived as a new em- ployee at Uptown Publications and the Gay & Lesbian Times in 1997, I was taking my first real day job in journalism. I had just arrived back in the states after eight years in England, quite directionless, literally and figuratively. The Uptown Publications


office was on University Avenue in Hillcrest—San Diego’s thriving “gay neighborhood.” The office was all ideas and motion. It was a place where intense debates happened, where people worked hard, sometimes sleeping over- night in the office on deadline days, and where at any given time someone might pump up the volume of a disco song and send the office into an impromptu dance party. It was a place where people came out, refined their world view, and fell in love. It was a great place to be 28 years old. We worked and played hard. An “early” go-to-print day ended around 9 p.m. There were end- less editorial lunches where we debated issues, so that the editorial staff could float ideas and opinions in preparation for the paper’s editorial pages. There were nights when we were styl- ishly waved through club lines and were given VIP treatment at some of the most happening restaurants and venues in town. Presiding over all of this


Portantino provided invaluable support to her agency and other LGBT organizations through the pages of the Gay & Lesbian Times. “Michael served and sup-


ported the San Diego LGBT com- munity and the San Diego LGBT Community Center for nearly 25 years,” Jacobs said. “His trade- mark passion and intense dedica-


CONTRIBUTORS Marci Bair Geof Bartell Max Disposti


Terese Farmen Candye Kane Michael Kimmel Cuauhtémoc Kish Kevin Leap Fawn Lofton


Michele Lowenstein Scott Marks Margie Palmer Frank Sabatini Jr. Dave Schwab Jimmy Sullivan


DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING Mike Rosensteel (619) 519-7775 x108 miker@sduptownnews.com


SENIOR ADVERTISING CONSULTANT Sean Eshelman (619) 519-7775 x105 sean@sduptownnews.com


“As a young wom- an, he gave me a chance to fight for the rights of gays and lesbians through journalism and activism.”


motion was Michael Portan- tino—with his Al Pacino -looks, bold opinions, enthusiasm and bust-out laughter. For the many young, creative types that came through the GLT over the decades, Michael was like a ship captain ushering us to new hori- zons. His energy for ideas, life, love and the LGBT community was contagious. Take the working pre-election lunch. It was a GLT tradition that involved a discussion about each of the ballot issues and candidates, so that as a group—journalists, accountants, artists, receptionists, everyone on staff—could decide together on what was the best vote for each issue. At these and endless editorial lunches and discussions, he listened to and debated our viewpoints. It was very important to him to get it right.


Michael had a huge heart— for the community, for his news- magazine and for journalism. For years he presided over a lively intersection where those worlds met. If you met him there even for a brief moment, as I did, you were lucky. Through the many lives Michael encountered, his passion and energy live on.


—Janet Saidi, former editor of the Gay & Lesbian Times and Up- town newsmagazine (published by Michael Portantino in late ’90s).


The symbolism of Michael’s suicide at the Top of the Park in the month of December is not lost on me. For years, the Gay & Lesbian Times holiday party was held there—the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work, politi- cal campaigning, posturing and news reporting. It was one of the premier events in our community, and a lot of people who attended looked forward to this holiday celebration as much as the Pride parade itself. At least I did. It was the time when I saw Michael the hap- piest —he was the “host with the most.” His party brought together people who had influ- ence and prestige both within the gay and allied communities. The copious restaurateurs who served food at the party were granted cachet just for being there. It was a token of Michael’s position in our community, and a time when everyone just kind of got along. At one time, he was a big part


of my life as my employer. He was a role model to me when I was at an impressionable age. He had passion, conviction and influence during my tenure with the GLT. He helped shape the political careers of several individuals, all the while striving to make our community stronger and better by exposing some of its weaker links. Of course we argued incessantly about the finer points of politics and feminism, but still had a respect and understanding for one another throughout the years. I don’t want to remember Michael for the events of Dec. 8. I want to remember his soft chuckle, the twinkle in his eyes, the absolute look of love and devotion he had on his face every time he talked about his precious daughters. I want to remember that as a young woman, he gave me a chance to


tion to equality were his unmistak- able signature. “Many of us argued frequently


and fiercely with Michael, and laughed with him just as often,” she said. “His larger than life pres- ence at The Center was palpable for more than 20 years. Today, our hearts and thoughts are with his daughter, his brothers and all of


ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Rowena Yandall (619) 519-7775 x104


rowena@sduptownnews.com Todd Klein


(619) 519-7775 x107 todd@sduptownnews.com


ART DIRECTOR Louis Guzman


(619) 519-7775 x111 louis@sduptownnews.com


PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Becah Corbin


(619) 519-7775 x111 becahuptown@gmail.com


PHOTOGRAPHER Paul Body


ACCOUNTING (619) 519-7775 x112


accounting@sduptownnews.com


his family and his friends.” It had been a tough year for


the Southern California publish- ing mogul, who once worked as a stockbroker. Portantino’s popular newsmagazine, which he printed every week for more than 20 years, ceased publication in September. He also listed his home on Crom- well Place for sale this year.


OPINIONS/LETTERS


Gay San Diego encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. Please e-mail both to letters@gay-sd.com. We only accept digital files. Include phone number and ad- dress for verification. We reserve the right to edit letters and editorials for brevity and accuracy. Letters should be no longer than 350 words in length unless approved by staff editors. Letters and guest editorials do not neces- sarily reflect the views of the publisher or staff.


SUBMISSIONS/NEWS TIPS


Press releases and story ideas are welcome. Send press releases, tips, photos or story ideas to news@sduptown- news.com. For breaking news and investigative story ideas contact the editor by phone or e-mail.


DISTRIBUTION


GAY San Diego is distributed free, biweekly, every other Friday. COPYRIGHT 2010. All rights are reserved.


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fight for the rights of gays and lesbians through journalism and activism. I want to remember that he had kindness and pride and dedicated his life to the betterment of our community, whether or not we always agreed with his political convictions or his means of getting there. I won’t forget that he worked hard to preserve and document our immersion as a political force within California in the pages of his community newspaper and that, ul- timately, his life made a difference.


—Terese Farmen, former as- sistant editor of the Gay & Lesbian Times


“I can still hear his deep, impassioned voice and loud


laughter.” Michael Portantino was


larger than life, a constant com- munity presence— passionate, engaged and fiercely intense; newspaper publisher, father, son, brother, generous donor to The Center for 20-plus years and a powerful advocate and voice for LGBT youth and equality. Michael served and supported the LGBT community and the San Diego LGBT Community Center for nearly 25 years. His trademark passion and intense dedication to equality were his unmistakable signature. Many of us argued frequently and fiercely with Michael, and laughed with him often. I can still hear his deep, impassioned voice and loud laughter. I can remember scores of lunches and hundreds of telephone calls full of fierce arguing. And as the disbelief fades, I can feel the deep sadness settling in. Our hearts and thoughts are with his daughter, his brothers, all of his family and his friends. The staff, board and volunteers at The Center share their loss and feel with them the immense grief at his passing. Rest in peace Michael.


—Delores A. Jacobs, CEO, San Diego LGBT Community Center


Those closest to Portantino


said the paper’s closure came as a devastating blow. He also was under investigation for business practices by the district attorney’s office, though a spokesperson for District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said no charges had been filed and


see Portantino, pg 12


www.gay-sd.com


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