Who is Big Mike?

I received the name Big Mike over 35 years ago from a man (I can’t remember his name to save my life) who meet me one time, decided the fact I was the tallest member of the group I was with that night to start calling me Big Mike. Well he did it so much that I started to like it and people seem to remember me more than just by calling me Mike. So after all these years those who meet and get to know me now acknowledge me as Big Mike. I hope you will as well.

I was born of German parents in Frankfurt, Germany on January 18, 1957. I was adopted at the age of 3 by two wonderful Americans that were in the Military station in Paris, France. I was lucky enough to live in Paris till I was 5, then came to the United State on the Queen Mary (probably why I love being gay, I had a great start with learning two words I would use as I came out in the 70 ‘s. QUEEN and MARY) Any how my family moved to Universal City were my father retired from Randolph Air Force Base that same year .I attended all 12 years of school in the same school district, only 5 of us actually did go from 1st to 12th grade together. My High School Senior class was over 500 people. When I turned 18,I moved to San Antonio, Texas 25 miles from where I grew up and move into my first place with 2 older gay men, (who I lived with for over 8 years). These were the best years of my life coming out and discovering who I was and being honest with who I was as well. I think those years truly open me up to becoming the person I am today.  Fast forward a few years, I did move to New York City in 1984, and then to Los Angeles in 1988. But my biggest and yes , my best decision I ever made was to move to San Diego California. I had visited San Diego 20 years before I ever moved here and told myself then that I would never live in a city like San Diego. Just shows you, that the old saying that goes NEVER SAY NEVER, surely applies in this situation.

I came here to visit my best friend on a Saturday who had full blown AIDS , after spending the week with him I knew that I needed to be here with him (he didn’t have much time left). So I went back home the following Saturday and by Monday I had quit my job, sold everything I owned and was living back in San Diego on that 3rd Saturday. I was so thankful I did, my friend Tino passed away 3 months after I came back to be with him. While I was here ,I was able to take him to so many wonderful organizations that where here to help  people like Tino who had no one, giving them food, helping with medicine and just being there mentally as well. Right before Tino died he made me promise him that I would give San Diego at least one year, Good or Bad he said. “I know you’ll love it here as I have grown to love being here” So I made him that promise in 1989 and I’m still here today. It was the best decision I have ever made. So that is when I began to get more involved with this wonderful community that had open their hearts to my friend Tino, I wanted to do what I could and to say Thank You for being there for so many others who needed help as well.

There is not a day goes by that I don’t think of my dear loving friend Tino. It’s truly a gift how life unfolds to put you where we need to be. I remember as if it were yesterday how I applied at every gay bar and restaurant in this city and no one would hire me. I was starting to get scared that I was not ever going to get a job at all. Then came my big break, I was hired at the Brass Rail. I started Christmas day Dec.25th 1989. It was the best Christmas gift any one could have given me. This is where I began to built friendships with many of the people I call my family. I began to make a name for myself and gain respect through not only being a bartender but for getting involve with our great community.  I’m am so lucky and one happy person by being apart of a community that has truly been here for me .To all the wonderful, caring people that support, work and volunteer with me lets continue to help make a difference. We will be able to succeed in the many efforts that are ahead. So Thank You San Diego, for allowing me the chances and opportunities to grow with you. So enjoy my Blog. and lets stay in touch…

NOW LETS GET A DRINK !