Gay Lesbian Straight Alliance Education Network (GLSEN) San Diego and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) San Diego will sponsor a memorial and candlelight vigil in memory of Lawrence King, 15, a gay-identified middle school student who was fatally shot at his school on Feb. 12 in Oxnard, Calif., in what has been called a hate crime.

The memorial event will be held at The Center on Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6-8 p.m., and will include speakers and a candlelight walk from The Center to San Diego Unified School District’s Eugene Brucker Educational Center at 4100 Normal St.

Lawrence King was shot twice in the back of the head by a 14-year-old fellow student in a school classroom. Lawrence identified as gay, and was reportedly harassed by his alleged assailant and others in days prior to the shooting.

“It’s absolutely crucial that we name the problem of anti-LGBT bullying and harassment and address it directly to find a solution to the everyday fear that keeps countless youth from feeling safe in school,” said Kevin Jennings, executive director of GLSEN. “The State of California has recently passed safe-schools legislation in the form of SB777, which contains language that addresses discrimination and bullying against GLBT students. While GLSEN is making every effort to make the execution of SB777 effective, there are still districts that refute the necessity of this bill. We are hopeful that the tragedy involving Lawrence King will make it clear to all how crucial it is to implement safe-schools measures.

“This terrible incident underscores the fact that we cannot let hate go unchecked in our schools and communities,” said Judy Shepard, executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. “Our young people need our direction and guidance to prevent this type of crime from happening. I urge all parents and teachers to educate their children and students about acceptance, understanding and compassion.”

The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information, contact Mick Rabin at 619-985-5608 or comick1@aol.com.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center is currently seeking volunteers who want to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS in San Diego. Opportunities are available to become a volunteer ambassador as part of The Center’s second annual Dining Out for Life event on Thursday, April 24.

The event will raise funds for The Center’s HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs. The Center is calling on San Diegans to volunteer to greet restaurant patrons, thank them for participating and help generate donations for HIV/AIDS services.

Ambassadors must register for an upcoming orientation. Orientation sessions will be held: Saturday, March 15, from 9-10 a.m.; and Monday, March 17, from 7-8 p.m. To register, please call 619-692-2077, ext. 246, or e-mail diningout@thecentersd.org.

The Center also announced Emmy Award-winning television personality Ted Allen will be the spokesperson for the 2008 event. During Dining Out for Life, local businesses will donate a minimum of 25 percent of their food and liquor sales to benefit HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs at The Center.

Allen, the food and wine connoisseur on Bravo’s hit TV series “Queer Eye” is also a judge for Bravo’s “Top Chef” and Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” He is the host of the PBS series “Uncorked: Wine Made Simple.”

Last year, with the support of Dining Out for Life host sponsor Subaru, an estimated 250,000 diners in more than 40 cities helped raise more than $3.5 million for their local HIV/AIDS service organizations.

For more information about Dining Out for Life, contact Donnie Luehring at 619- 692-2077, ext. 246 or dluehring@thecentersd.org.

The Imperial Court de San Diego will host its annual GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 23 from 2-4 p.m. The event will take place at Trolley Barn Park in University Heights. The event is free, and all Easter baskets and toys are donated. Volunteers and donations are needed to help make this event a continued success.

For more information on volunteering or making a donation, please contact Michael at 619-254-6372.

San Diego LGBT Pride is adding to its volunteer base individuals who are savvy in Web marketing in an effort to reach out to more community groups about the organization’s annual events, philanthropy and history, as well as sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available each year.

Those possessing expertise in networking via a variety of social and commercial Web sites are encouraged to join the Pride marketing team as it gears up for its 34th annual celebration in July. This year’s theme is “Live, Love, Be.” Events include a mile-long parade on July 19 through Hillcrest and a two-day festival on July 19-20 in Balboa Park.

“Pride strives to reach out to numerous communities and promote its activities through as many channels as possible,” said Ron deHarte, San Diego Pride executive director. “And as a grassroots, equal-rights organization, we rely on volunteers to help in all areas of event production and day-to-day operations. Web marketing is among those important tools in which we could use support.”

For more information, contact the Pride office at 619-297-7683. To learn about other volunteer opportunities and this year’s Pride events, visit the Web site at www.sandiegopride.org.

PFLAG San Diego and The Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA) Charitable Foundation have applications available now for the 2008 scholarship cycle.

PFLAG will award five scholarships of at least $1,000 each to GLBT or questioning students who will be an undergraduate or graduate student in the Fall 2008 semester. Applicants must be San Diego County residents at time of application. The deadline for the PFLAG scholarship is April 4, 2008, at 4:30 p.m. Application and more information is available at www.pflag.com.

The Greater San Diego Charitable Foundation (“The Fund”) has established a Community Scholarship fund to further its mission of empowering and promoting gay and lesbian businesses, professionals and supportive members of the community.

Each year, The Fund will attempt to award at least two educational scholarships of up to $2,000 each to the most qualified candidates. GSDBA seeks diverse awardees from the applicants.

The scholarships are granted to self-identified gay and lesbian students and persons who have shown support and knowledge of the lesbian and gay community. Applications for the GSDBA scholarship must be postmarked by May 15. For more information and applications, visit www.gsdbafoundation.org.

Award-winning pianist, band leader and recording artist Sue Palmer, will be honored by San Diego City Hall on March 25, 2008 at10 a.m., for her lifetime achievements and artistic contributions to the city of San Diego. A native San Diegan, Palmer was recently awarded an International Blues Challenge Award (Best Self Produced CD) in Memphis for her latest album, Sophisticated Ladies. She has been a frequent nominee and winner of San Diego Music Awards for various bands and albums (Tobacco Road, Earl Thomas, Candye Kane, Sue Palmer & Her Motel Swing Orchestra, and more), for more than 20 years.

In San Diego, you can now get a test that detects the virus, as opposed to the antibody, for HIV infection. In the past, testers have been told to come in 3 – 6 months after a potential HIV exposure to give time for antibodies to develop. With the Early Test, you only have to wait one week. Those with HIV are usually most infectious in the early weeks and months after infection when they are testing antibody negative. This innovative program is being offered through collaboration between UCSD AVRC and San Diego County’s Public Health Services Agency.

The “Early Test” is currently being offered at no cost at the following locations:

The Center, Health Services Building, 2313 El Cajon Blvd – Mondays: arrive at 10 a.m. to sign up for a time slot the same day. Tuesdays and Thursdays: arrive at 9 a.m. to sign up for a time slot the same day. Wednesdays: arrive at 1 or 4:15 p.m. to sign up for a time slot the same day.

North Park Family Health Center – 3544 30th St. – Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. No appointment necessary.

County Health Services Complex – 3851 Rosecrans St. – Monday through Thursday 7:30 – 4 p.m. No appointment necessary.

UCSD Antiviral Research Center AVRC –150 W Washington St. Monday and Wednesday. For an appointment, call 619-543-8080.

For more information about the “Early Test,” call 619-877-323-5050 or visit http://theearlytest.ucsd.edu.

The San Diego City Fire Fighters, Local 145 recently announced their endorsement of Todd Gloria, candidate for San Diego City Council District 3. The support from the important organization representing 1,319 City firefighters and emergency medical personnel was based on Todd’s dedication to strengthening public safety and his proven track record serving the community.

“The San Diego City Firefighters are proud to support Todd Gloria for San Diego City Council District 3,” said Chet Bertell, Secretary of Local 145. “Todd is committed to improving public safety in San Diego.”

The San Diego City Firefighters endorsed Gloria after a panel interviewed candidates and the organization’s membership voted on the options.

Gloria’s understanding of the issues facing firefighters and the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department was crucial to earning the support of the important employee organization. From ensuring San Diego has fully staffed fire apparatus to prioritizing better compensation to improving the conditions of aging fire stations, Gloria looks forward to using his knowledge, drive and relationships to fortify the City’s fire protection.

“San Diego has the hardest working firefighters and rescue workers, and I am tremendously proud to have the endorsement of these heroes,” said Gloria. “Firefighters take care of all of us everyday, and we need to take better care of them now so they are here for us tomorrow. The people of District 3 deserve to have the best trained firefighters, fully staffed fire companies and appropriately maintained and upgraded fire stations.”

The primary election for San Diego City Council District Three is on Tuesday, June 3. Should no candidate receive more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election will occur in November with the winner assuming office in December.