It was my honor and pleasure to attend the "San Diego - Local Heores Awards Reception for 2011". This event was a celebration of Cultural Diversity sponsored by the San Diego local PBS station (KPBS) and Union Bank. What a great evening of wonderful honorees and the beautiful Balboa Theater! One of the honorees for GLBT Pride Month was Nicole Murray Ramirez, our own Queen Mother I of the Americas!

I was moved and inspired by many of the speeches by honorees that lost children, struggled with disablity and even survived the horrors of Auschwitz. These truly remarkable people turned adversity into helping so many in the San Diego community. The following is the speech given by by Our Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great:

I come from the 1960's and 70's... I come from a time people called me Wetback, Beaner, Faggot.
I come from a time that the San Diego City Council Boards and Commissions, the Police Department were almost all white conservative men. No people of color or women.
I come from a time that homosexuality was illegal in California and some of us were being committed ro State hospitals and received electric shock treatment.
I come from a time that Blacks, Latinos, Jews, Asians were not welcomed in many San Diego neighborhoods.
I come from a time when our efforts to get a street or convention center named after martin Luther King was soundly rejected.
I come from a time that Latinos and blacks gays were harassed and beaten by racist and homophobic police officers, sheriffs and deputies.
I come from a time that openly gay candidates for public office were given death threats and the Marine Corp's annual "Toys for Tots" drive refused annual donations of toys from the homosexual community.
NOW, I live in a time that I thank GOD for letting me witness the growth and progress of my beloved Latino and GLBT communities.
NOW to indeed witness the Golden State turning brown and Marriage Equality is on the horizon.
Most of you in this room are so greatly responsible for THESE changes and I thank you. and to KPBS and Union Bank I say.
Tonight you have touched this Old Queen's heart and I am humbled by this recognition.
Gracias and God Bless

You will be able to see the bio video on Nicole at:

It was amazing to meet Edith Eva Eger, a Auscvhwitz survivor who has become a wonderful Community Activist. Delores Jacobs, the CEO of the San Diego LBGT Community Center... Rachal Ortiz, the Director of Barrio Station - a youth program that rescues troubles teens and mant others.

If you would like to see a list of the honorees please go to:

Please join me in congratulating Our Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great on this wonderful honor.

In service,
Tony Monteleone
Chancellor & Chief Minister to the Crown
Heir Apparent to Empress Nicole the Great
HIM Emperor XVIII and XIV Tony Monteleone of the Imperial Court of New York
The Twice Crowned Triple A Diamond Emperor of Allegria, Amore and Abbondanza