Story on San Diego gay journalist ignored

By Leo E. Laurence
Member, SPJ National Committee on Diversity
Diversity Chair, San Diego “Pro” Chapter

I started hanging out at a military bar in San Diego after the SPJ and four other journalism organizations held a Holiday Party at Riley’s Sports Bar last December.

Soon, it became my home-away-from-home. I was totally accepted by the dozens of sailors and Marines at Riley’s, even though I’m 74 and Gay.

“We like you, Leo. You’re safe here. We’ll protect you,” said one Marine after a homophobic civilian threatened me and was forcefully ejected by about ten military patrons.

So, as my way of saying thanks for their camaraderie, I put on a huge, home-cooked meal of turkey and ham with all the trimmings for three days May 3rd to 5th.

However, even though I notified all the San Diego media about the event, not one working journalist showed up, not even to eat. A university student journalist covered it and sent the story to AP in New York, but they were not interested, either.

The bar’s management changed two weeks later and a tough lesbian took over. She had me 86ed. “Strong lesbians often do not like strong gay men,” commented Dr. Rogelio Samorano, M.D., a U.C.S.D. psychiatrist.

I filed a complaint against the bar’s license for violating the state’s Unruh Civil Rights Act that protects Gays against discrimination by any business.

What I didn’t expect was a letter from the director of the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control instructing the San Diego district office to “investigate and take appropriate action.” The ABC was more interested than my colleagues in the media.
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For feedback, contact Leo E. Laurence at (619) 757-4909 in San Diego or at leopowerhere@msn.com