Step Aside John Burton

That's what Mike Casey said to me after I gave a short speech presenting an award to Assemblymember Mark Leno. Mike probably said that because I swore as much as John does when he gets going. I was trying to speak from the heart about the process I went through in my friendship with Assemblymember Mark Leno. I kind of said this before in a blog about Mark getting the award. Well tonight, we did it. The Harvey Milk Club recognized Mark's leadership in championing our issues, and for me, especially transgender issues. Not an issue that many care much about, including those in the LGBT community. Even those that say they do care don't actually do much. But Mark has.

Twice I supported someone else than Mark when he ran and once I helped run the campaign of his opponent...Someone who I love very much, Harry Britt.

Tonight Harry presented an award to UNITE HERE Local 2. His presentation was so moving and inspiring that I teared up.

One of the things I learned recently is that more than one good person can run in a race. It is emotionally easier for us to think there is only one. And as a former candidate, I can tell you that it is hard to understand how someone can like you and your opposition. Obviously, that is silly, but it feels so real when it is all happening.

And if you want, you can hold on to a grudge about the campaign for a very, very, very long time. But Mark didn't. He reached out to the progressive community and in particular, the Harvey Milk Club in a way that taught me so much about what it means to be a leader.

At the end of the day, I can love Harry and love Mark. Something I'm sorry to say I learned late in life.