KPBS has announced the release of a new documentary titled Anyone and Everyone. The film tells the stories of families from across the United States who are all connected by having a son or daughter who is gay. This poignant and often heart-wrenching documentary by first-time local filmmaker Susan Polis Schutz reveals the struggles of families as they try to understand and to accept a child’s sexual orientation.

The film features families from a diverse range of religious and cultural backgrounds, such as Japanese, Bolivian, Cherokee, Mormon, Jewish, Catholic and Hindu. The parents share intimate accounts of their feelings when their children revealed to them that they were gay. While some showed unconditional support, many struggled with their child’s sexual orientation, fearing alienation from their extended family, their church or their community. The driving point of the documentary is that the families featured really could be “anyone and everyone,” as it shows families with gay children who come from all classes, races and religions, yet all experience similar emotions and struggles.

Anyone and Everyone is supported by community outreach both locally and nationally. KPBS is teaming with The Pacific Beach United Methodist Church to hold an open screening and discussion of Anyone and Everyone on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 7-9 pm. The church is located at 1561 Thomas Street in San Diego, one block south from the corner of Ingraham Street and Grand Avenue. This event is free and open to the public.

In addition to local outreach, KPBS has partnered with several national organizations to plan screenings across the country. The national partners include: The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Soul Force, The Trevor Project, PFLAG, Gay and Lesbian Task Force and True Colors, Inc.

For more information, contact Erin Fitzpatrick at efitzpatrick@kpbs.org, or visit www.anyoneandeveryone.com.

Aging as Ourselves will sponsor “Maintaining Recovery During the Holiday Season,” a program for GLBT seniors in recovery and their partners. Friends and family are also welcome to attend. Robert L. Bettinger, Ph.D., will give a brief presentation and facilitate the program.

Bettinger has been active in the GLBT community since 1975 and has many years of experience developing and delivering community-based alcohol- and drug-related educational programs. He is a trained intervention specialist and is also an experienced spiritual counselor.

This program will be the first in a series of presentations for GLBT seniors in recovery. As one person in recovery stated, “AA members often like to support their recovery with competently prepared programs which help in all the steps and which continue to build self esteem and provide new ways of perceiving life, rebuilding relationships and moving on with sober living.”

The program will be held at 6 p.m. at the S.A.G.E. Center on Thursday, Nov. 15. Light refreshments will be provided. The S.A.G.E. Center is located at 3138 Fifth Ave., between Spruce and Redwood streets. For more information, call Tom at 619-298-9900.

Aging as Ourselves is an innovative community-wide collaborative that provides a safe and comfortable environment for GLBT seniors in San Diego to tap into culturally responsive legal, social and health services. For additional information, please go to www.agingasourselves.org.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Marriage Equality and Education Project is launching the “Get Engaged by Valentine’s Day!” campaign, to open the hearts and minds of San Diegans to the Freedom to Marry. The goal of the campaign is to have 40 Freedom to Marry Engagements in San Diego by Feb. 14, 2008.

The engagements will promote Let California Ring, a public education campaign working to create a California where two people in a committed, trusting and loving relationship get the recognition and respect that comes with marriage.

A Freedom to Marry Engagement is a chance for people to open their homes to friends, family and neighbors and “engage” them in a conversation about the importance of the freedom to marry for all couples. These events are crucial to achieving the Freedom to Marry in California because they “engage” people in this issue, broaden support and encourage people to volunteer and donate.

At the Freedom to Marry Engagement, trained speakers will brief guests on the campaign, show a brief DVD and talk about how to help achieve the freedom to marry in California.

The Center provides support to Engagement hosts.

Anyone interested in hosting or attending an Engagement, should contact Kristi Shaw, Marriage Equality and Education Project coordinator at 619-692-2077, ext. 206 or kshaw@thecentersd.org.

The San Diego League of Gentlemen (SDLOG) will host its second annual Interclub Holiday Party on Friday, Dec. 7 from 7-9 p.m. Members of San Diego’s leather community, including Club X, Submission Voice, Gen X, the Cash Cows, and others are invited to this event.

Participating organizations are working together to put on the celebration for kink-aware San Diegans and are asking people to bring snacks or non-alcoholic beverages to share.

The event will take place at the Joyce Beers Community Center in the Uptown District. For more information, contact Bryan Teague at boybryan@svnightwinds.com.

In preparation for San Diego’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, a fund-raiser will be held at Bacchus House, located at 3054 University Ave. in North Park, on Saturday, Nov. 10. The event, which will include performances and an auction, will begin at 7 p.m. Donations will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will be used to help fund Transgender Day of Remembrance activities.

The Transgender Day of Remembrance, to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 20, will include a candlelight march through Hillcrest and service at the Center beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, e-mail sd.tasc@gmail.com.

The Center has announced that the November LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast will feature Dr. Carl Cohn, superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. The LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast will take place on Friday, Nov. 16 from 7:30-9 a.m. at The Center, located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest.

Dr. Cohn will discuss public education, with a focus on GLBT youth and teachers. He will also address the non-discrimination policies of the San Diego Unified School District.

Cohn has more than 35 years experience in education, as a teacher, counselor and administrator. Before joining the San Diego Unified School District, he worked for 10 years as superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District, California’s third largest district. His tenure there made him the longest serving superintendent of any large, urban district in the nation. Cohn received his B.A. in philosophy from St. John’s College, an M.A. in counseling from Chapman University and his Ed.D. in urban educational policy from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

The Community Coalition Breakfast takes place the third Friday of each month. Its mission is to bring together fair-minded individuals to network, educate and discuss diverse issues of concern to GLBT and allied neighbors and citizens of San Diego. A full breakfast is available for a $10 donation; coffee and tea are complimentary. RSVPs are not required. ASL interpretation will be provided upon request, which must be sent to Caroline Dessert at cdessert@thecentersd.org at least seven working days before the event.

A number of events are being planned this year to commemorate Veterans Day in San Diego, primarily to honor GLBT veterans. The “Honor Every Veteran” campaign will include a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” rally, designed to help end discrimination in the military, at the Federal Building in Downtown San Diego on Friday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m. Following the rally, there will be a Kick-Off Reception at The Caliph at 8 p.m., which will include food and drinks.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, the San Diego Veterans’ Day Parade will step-off at 11 a.m. from the San Diego County Administration Building Downtown. A GLBT community contingent will be represented in the parade. Later that evening, the San Diego LGBT Center in Hillcrest will host a Military Ball Cocktail Reception at 6 p.m.. The honorary chairs of the event are Congressmembers Bob Filner and Susan Davis. Filner is the chair of the House of Representatives Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Davis is chair of the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. Tickets to the reception are $20 at the door. Dress uniform or business casual attire is requested. There will be an after-party at Bourbon Street in University Heights starting at 10 p.m.

Finally, on Sunday, Nov. 11, the “Stand Down Draft Party” will be held at The Hole in Point Loma starting at 2 p.m., and the “Take No Prisoners Final Assault” party will be held at Pecs in North Park starting at 7 p.m.

All proceeds from the weekend’s event will be donated to American Veterans for Equal Rights, and The Center’s Public Policy Department. All events are open to the public, with the events held at bars being open only to those 21 years and older.

For more information, call 619-459-1019, or visit www.honoreveryveteran.org.

The Hillcrest Town Council Development Committee is seeking input about walking experiences around the Hillcrest community. The group’s objective is to use these documented experiences from pedestrians as a way to prioritize areas to improve.

They are looking for input on safe and unsafe intersections, crossing issues, unsafe crosswalks or poor sidewalks. Submissions should be as specific as possible, and include the location and day and time of the issue. This Hillcrest Town Council is working to make walking through Hillcrest a safe, pleasant experience for all.

Visit www.hillquest.com/forums to post your experiences.