Gay Navy Veteran Proposes to Marine Returning from Afghanistan at Camp Pendleton in Military First

In what is believed to be the first marriage proposal between a gay couple on a U.S. military base, and both are war veterans. Navy Vet and San Diego resident Cory Huston proposed to Marine Avarice Guerrero as he returned from Afghanistan.

San Diego LGBT Weekly was there to photograph it, and writes:

April 24, under a bright Southern California sky at Camp Pendleton’s Camp Del Mar near Oceanside, Calif., a full two hours before his boyfriend’s return from the badlands of Afghanistan, Cory Huston waited nervously. Huston, who was discharged under the former Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, chain smoked as he rehearsed the simple proposal he would deliver when Guerrero would arrive.

He told LGBT Weekly that by popping the question, and assuming Guerrero would say yes, he would not only be changing his and his beau’s lives forever, but also the landscape of marriage among gay servicemembers...

...After a few minutes of emotional holding and kissing, Huston went anxiously down on one knee; looked up at Guerrero, who was dressed from head to toe in military fatigues; and produced an engagement ring and the time-honored phrase, “Will you marry me?”

Huston’s mild tremble, a result of hours and days of anticipation about this day, was quickly quieted by the one word every hopeful fiancé wants to hear: “Yes.”

Read the full account and more pics at LGBT Weekly.

(images james freeman at lgbt weekly)

California Congressman, LGBT Activists Launch Campaign Urging Navy to Name Ship for Harvey Milk

Congressman Bob Filner (D-California), and The GLBT Historic Task Force (the Task Force) of San Diego County with San Diego City Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez, have launched a campaign urging the Navy to name its next ship over slain LGBT civil rights leader Harvey Milk, the LGBT Weekly reports:

The late civil rights icon, Harvey Milk was a Navy veteran who began his service during the Korean War. In Korea, he served aboard the submarine rescue ship USS Kittiwake as a diving officer. Milk was also stationed at Naval Station, San Diego where he was a diving instructor. Milk, whose parents both also served in the US Navy, was honorably discharged at the rank of Lieutenant, junior grade...

...Acting on behest of the Task Force, Rep. Filner urged top military officials to support the naming of a naval vessel in honor of Milk. In letters to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Filner wrote, “I … urge the Dept. of the Navy to name the next appropriate ship after Harvey Milk.”

Congressman Filner, whose district is in San Diego, also stated that “this action would be a fitting tribute to Mr. Milk’s support for equality, an ideal exemplified in the military’s recent repeal of its former Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.” Fittingly, the congressman is past chair and the current ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

Milk is also being considered to appear on a US Postal Stamp, and may have a San Diego street named in his honor.

Said Milk's nephew Stuart Milk: “On behalf of both the Harvey Milk Foundation and the Milk family, it is inspiring to be joined by leadership in San Diego as we work together in support of the naming of a US Navy ship after my uncle, Harvey Milk. As an American hero who proudly wore the uniform of a Naval officer, the naming of a major vessel after Harvey will add that most American value of equality and democracy to the proud message of inclusion for which military service now exemplifies."

Man Who Co-Founded Group Behind 'KONY 2012' Campaign Detained for Masturbating in Public: VIDEO

The co-founder of Invisible Children, the group behing the KONY 2012 video and campaign, was detained today for masturbating, removing his underwear, and "acting very strange" in public, NBC San Diego reports:

Jason Russell, 33,  was allegedly found masturbating in public, vandalizing cars and possibly under the influence of something, according to Lt. Andra Brown. He was detained at the intersection of Ingraham Street and Riviera Road...

"Due to the nature of the detention, he was not arrested," she said at a press conference. "During the evaluation we learned we probably needed to take him to a medical facility because of statements he was saying."

Invisible Children's CEO released a statement:

“Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalized yesterday suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. He is now receiving medical care and is focused on getting better. The past two weeks have taken a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that toll manifested itself in an unfortunate incident yesterday. Jason’s passion and his work have done so much to help so many, and we are devastated to see him dealing with this personal health issue. We will always love and support Jason, and we ask that you give his entire family privacy during this difficult time.”

The group has been under close scrutiny since its KONY 2012 video went viral, including questions about its funding, some of which which was revealed to come from anti-gay Christian fundamentalist groups.

Watch SDPD Lt. Andra Brown discuss the incident, AFTER THE JUMP...

Man Sues City of San Diego Over Gay Pride Thong Arrest

A San Diego man is suing the City of San Diego, several police officers, San Diego Pride, and head of Pride security, Shawn Chamberlain, seeking an injunction and compensatory and punitive damages for violations of the Fourteenth and Fourth Amendments, false arrest, battery, negligence and violation of his civil rights under California's Civil Code, Courthouse News Service reports:

Will X. Walters claims city police selectively enforced a municipal policy on public nudity, which allows women to wear g-strings and thongs, but not gay men.

Walters also claims that San Diego Pride "wholeheartedly endorsed" the policy, to "curry favor" with the police department, to appeal to mainstream sponsors, and to make the event palatable to straight people and families.    

"Will Walters is a Hispanic, gay man who owns the dubious distinction of being the only person in the history of the City of San Diego to be arrested and booked on a charge of public nudity," the complaint states. "Mr. Walters was arrested for public nudity at the 2011 Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual Transgender Pride ('Pride') event while wearing an opaque gladiator type kilt over black underwear. Under any definition, he was not nude, as his buttocks and genitalia were fully covered. Nonetheless, he was ushered out of the event, humiliated, arrested, and incarcerated."

Walters was reportedly told that his outfit - "leather gear consisting of boots, a black leather gladiator kilt, black underwear, and a black leather harness with chrome rings" - was "borderline" and says he was forcibly escorted out and had his phone knocked from his hand as he attempted to record the incident.

The complaint continues:

 "At the jail Mr. Walters was placed in a single cell visible to all inmates being checked in. San Diego County sheriffs deputies encouraged the incoming inmates to ridicule Mr. Walters, who was wearing only his kilt and underwear, and the deputies joined in the verbal harassment. In going from the hot environment of an overheated car to the air conditioned jail, Mr. Walters was chilled. The deputies refused Mr. Walters any additional clothing or a blanket. However, upon his release from jail, Mr. Walters was ordered to change into clothing provided by the jail. Mr. Walters was released from the jail at approximately 2:15 am, Sunday, July 17, 2011, after posting $190 bond. He had been given nothing to eat or drink since his arrest, some twelve hours prior."

Gay Man Sues for Thong Discrimination [courthouse news]

Gay Ugandan Man Freed from San Diego Detention Facility for Two Years Now Faces Deprtation Threat

A Ugandan man detained by immigration officials for almost two years has been freed on bail but now faces deportation hearings, 10 News reports:

For Bukombe, who is a musician, it was a dream born from a nightmare. Eight years ago, he arrived in San Diego from Uganda. He said his work visa expired several years ago. During his time in San Diego, Bukombe came out as a gay man but was afraid to go home. Fueled by religious forces, Uganda had been considering a law that would have imposed the death penalty for certain homosexual acts. During that time, a mob beat one of Bukombe's friends to death. 'I didn't want to die. I didn't want to go back and die,' Bukombe said. In early 2010, Bukombe was stopped for a DUI after eating Jell-O at a birthday party.

Bukombe was then detained by immigration officials:

He hired an attorney, but could not pay for him. After languishing for several years, Bukombe discovered a $20,000 bail had been set early in the process. Hector Martinez, a friend of a friend, started a campaign supporting Bukombe, including a petition drive. 'We think either paperwork got sent to the wrong address or the attorney never informed him,' said Martinez. Martinez raised $6,000 and took out a loan for the remainder of the bail.

However, Bukombe still faces deportation hearings.

San Diego Gay and Lesbian News reports: "Now that Bukombe is free, he must complete the terms of his bail. Martinez and Ogle said that Bukombe's former boss would rehire him after his release, and he has a number of friends in San Diego who have promised to look out for him. The next legal step to fight deportation is an an appeal, and Bukombe's supporters are hopeful because of the Obama Administration's new policy toward LGBT immigrants who face persecution or the threat of death in their homeland."

Prop 8 Supporter Doug Manchester Buys San Diego Union Tribune

Prop 8 supporter Doug Manchester, whose Manchester Grand Hyatt has been high at the top of boycott lists for years now, has purchased the city's San Diego Union Tribune for more than $110 million, Voice of San Diego reports:

Manchester has been a polarizing figure, one known for his brash negotiations and controversial politics. He sponsored a 1994 effort that sought to move the city's international airport off the waterfront and to the Marine base at Miramar. The $125,000 he donated to the 2008 initiative to ban gay marriage in California attracted a high-profile boycott of his local hotels. His stand on marriage drew attention to his own divorce a year later.

"He has a well-earned reputation for being a small-minded, resentful, mean-spirited man," said Fred Sainz, the former spokesman for Mayor Jerry Sanders. "And those are not the character traits you want in the publisher of your newspaper. It's going to be hard to believe the editorial positions of the newspaper were arrived at in a thoughtful and unbiased manner."

Sainz said he thought the community needed to stage an intervention. "It's putting way too much power in the hands of one person with a multitude of agendas," he said.

As for the future of the paper?

John Lynch, the former local radio executive who will become the newspaper's new president and CEO, offered a preview Thursday night of that future...The paper's once-influential conservative editorial page softened. Lynch said he sees an opportunity there. He wants people to talk about the editorial page. He and Manchester, both politically conservative, want to forge a stronger, better San Diego."