The Stonewall Young Democrats of San Diego (SYDSD) invite the community to meet and greet the first openly gay president of the Young Democrats of America, David Hardt. The group will be hosting a reception at the Bamboo Lounge in Hillcrest on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Several local elected officials and candidates will also be present at the event.

Admission is $20 for non-SYDSD members. The admission cost includes a membership to the group. Host sponsors are also being sought at the $75 level. Admission is free for SYDSD members who bring a guest to the event.

The group will also be hosting a membership and holiday party at a private home on Thursday, Dec. 13.

The Bamboo Lounge is located at 1475 University Ave. in Hillcrest. For more information about either event contact Brandon Tate at 619-840-5613 or brandonstate@gmail.com.

In response to the continual anti-GLBT hate incidents occurring on the San Diego State University campus, the school’s LGBT Resource Center will host a candlelight march on Friday, Dec. 7 at 9:15 p.m. The purpose of the march is to let the College Area know that “This is our community, too!”

Prior to the march, the monthly Diva’s Nite Out drag revue will be held at 7 p.m. in the Backdoor Theater of the campus student union, Aztec Center. The free show will include a “Newlywed Game” and performances by some of San Diego’s finest up-and-coming drag king and queen entertainers. Donations collected at the show will be donated to the developing SDSU Safe Zones program.

The march will be held immediately following the show. Participants will gather outside the Backdoor Theater and walk to College Avenue, where the march will begin. Candles will be provided. More information is available at www.PrideAtState.org.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center’s (The Center) Positive Action program will offer a special forum on liver and kidney transplants for HIV-positive recipients on Thursday, Dec. 13. This free event will take place at 5:30 p.m. at The Center.

“Many in the HIV community are unaware that successful organ transplantation is possible for HIV-positive individuals who meet a specific set of criteria,” said Patrick Loose, director of programs and operations for The Center. “There is a great deal to learn about these issues. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Chris Barry, a transplant surgeon from the University of California, San Diego, to discuss this medical opportunity.”

More information on Positive Action is available at www.sdpozaction.org. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information about this event, please contact Loose at 619-692-2077, ext. 125 or at ploose@thecentersd.org.

A fund-raising reception and holiday celebration will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13 for Marti Emerald, candidate for San Diego City Council District 7. Emerald, formerly known as the “Trouble Shooter” on Channel 10 news, will be joined by co-chairs Francine Busby, Robi Cox and Greg Scott, Eric Isaacson, “Big” Mike Phillips, Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, Ken Turek, and the San Diego Democratic Club at the event.

The event will be held at the La Jolla home of Eugene Iredale from 5-7 p.m. A private reception will be held from 4:30-5 p.m. for hosts. The suggested contribution for the co-chair level is $270; host committee is $150; and there is a $40 minimum to attend. Only personal contributions will be accepted. Contributions are also accepted online at www.martiforsandiego.com.

For more information or to RSVP contact 619-239-1721.

Is getting more involved in your community one of your New Year’s resolutions? Then please join The San Diego LGBT Community Center on Wednesday, Jan. 9, in its auditorium for the Third Annual San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council’s Community Volunteer Fair. More than 30 GLBT and progressive organizations will be represented, providing information about their organizations and volunteering with them. The Volunteer Recruitment Fair is designed to reduce the barriers to becoming a volunteer by inviting community members to stop by, find out a little about opportunities for volunteering in the community, and sign-up if an organization sounds like a good fit. For more information, please contact Amanda Bejarano-Ligato at 619-692-2077 or at amandab@thecentersd.org.

The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center (The Center) will present its December Lunch and Learn event “Hot at Any Age: Redefining Women’s Sexuality and Aging,” on Wednesday, Dec. 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at The Center.

This presentation will be led by Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus, and is specially designed for LBT women ages 50 and better. It is a joint effort by The Center’s Women’s Resource Center, its 50 and Better Club and Aging as Ourselves.

“We are so pleased to offer this opportunity for women ages 50 and better,” said Carmen Chavez, coordinator of The Center’s Women’s Resource Center. “This offering is another great example of The Center’s work across gender and age lines.”

The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information, contact David VanGilder at 619-692-2077, ext. 205 or at dvangilder@thecentersd.org.

The Center’s Family Matters offers a variety of play groups for moms, dads and other caregivers with children from infant age to 12 years old. A play group for parents/caregivers with babies ages 0-24 months takes place every Friday from 9:30-11 a.m. at The Center. The group is led by Marc Matys and Dr. Heather Berberet. No RSVP is required.

There is also a toddler play group for children ages 24 months to 4 years, with various meeting locations. The big kids play group, which is for those ages 5 to 12, takes place the second Saturday of each month at Balboa Park. A new North County play group has also launched, meeting the first and third Saturday of each month at 1 p.m. at Stagecoach Park in Carlsbad.

For more information about Family Matters play groups, contact Marci Bair at 619-692-2077, ext. 121 or mbair@thecentersd.org. Information is available online at www.thecentersd.org/familymatters.php.

The 7th Annual Hillcrest Mardi Gras Street Party celebration will be held on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, on University Avenue between First and Fourth Avenues from 6-11 p.m.

The festival will take place rain or shine.

The event is sponsored by the GSDBA Charitable Foundation and the Hillcrest Business Association. All proceeds from the street party benefit both organizations. The GSDBA Charitable Foundation issues annual Youth Scholarships.

The festival will feature live entertainment, special guest performers and an exclusive VIP area. Food and other drink will be available for purchase from participating vendors and venues. Additionally, full liquor will also be served during the event. An array of other surprises, plenty of beads and various other party favors will also be part of the festive evening. Hillcrest Mardi Gras remains a 21-and-up event.

Tootie and the Lips Girls will be one of the performing acts on the Viejas Entertainment Stage. A dance area featuring a guest DJ will also be part of the entertainment.

Tickets are available Dec. 1. Advance ticket price is $15 (or $20 day of) and $50 for VIP (or $75 day of). The VIP pass includes express entry, private reception area and private bathrooms.

Tickets are available at the following Hillcrest locations: Baja Betty’s at 1421 University Ave.; Urban Mo’s at 308 University Ave.; and Obelisk Bookstore at 1029 University Ave.

Tickets can also be purchased online at www.hillcrestmardigras.org. Ticket purchases are tax-deductible. No refunds are offered on ticket purchases, as the festival will take place rain or shine.

Hillcrest Mardi Gras is a fun-filled evening featuring many games, vendors, food, live entertainment, and costumes. More than 2,000 guests attended the event in 2007.