A noted author and specialist in the treatment of sexual addiction will speak in Hillcrest on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:00 p.m. on the topic of cybersex. Sexual addiction is a disorder in which there is loss of control over one’s sexual behavior, resulting in physical, emotional, and financial harm to oneself and others. With the growth of the Internet, online pornography and sexual chat-rooms have increasingly become a problem for many people. Sex addicts repeatedly engage in harmful or dangerous behavior despite adverse consequences such as exposure to HIV or other disease, loss of job, loss of relationship, or arrest.

Patrick Carnes, Ph.D., is a leading advocate of the Twelve Steps for recovery from compulsive sexual behavior. Some of his numerous books include Out of the Shadows, Don’t Call It Love, and In the Shadow of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior. His lecture is the keynote event of a conference scheduled by a local Twelve Step group. Advance registration is requested. The cost is $30, which includes a catered dinner, the lecture and entertainment. For more information, call (858) 735-6647.

Do you dread that visit home for the holidays? Have you scheduled tropical vacations in order to avoid family gatherings? Is it difficult to connect with family members because of your sexual orientation? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, this two- part workshop is a must… as you can go homo for the holidays. In this first part, video clips from popular movies will help take a look at the family and how the holiday season may be an ideal opportunity to connect with family members in a positive way. Coming out, introducing a new partner and disclosing one’s HIV status will be discussed. Participants will learn skills that can be used during this holiday season that may help promote positive family relationships, support GLBT pride, or simply help us get through the holidays without losing our mind. All this and more at 3909 Centre St. at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Scott Cutler at (619) 260-6380, ext. 117.

A documentary celebrating lesbian families and culture. The screening party includes cultural food sampling potluck and children’s activities from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Followed by the film screening. After the film there will be a panel discussion from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and $5 for youth. Children under 12 are free. The screening will take place at The Center, 3909 Centre St., on Saturday, Nov. 8. Childcare will be provided during the screening, but you must call (760) 735-8300 by Nov. 3 to make arrangements. For general information, call (760) 735-8300.

The powerful play Another American: Asking & Telling will have a special benefit performance supporting SLDN at Diversionary Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 12. Tickets are $35 ($20 for students and military E-l to E-4). The performance depicts experiences regarding the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military. It is an important play that affects the civil rights of patriotic Americans who can’t openly serve their country simply because they are gay. For additional information, phone (619) 239-4180. SLDN is a national non-profit agency dedicated to ending discrimination and harassment of military personnel affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The benefit will be held at the Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd and will start at 8:00 p.m.

Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Gay Men’s Health Program invites you to attend Five Minute Man, a fun and interactive alternative to meeting new people in San Diego on Sunday, Nov. 2. Everyone’s talking about it, so why not check it out? Over 100 matches have already been made. The event will be held at the Joyce Beers Community Center (by Trader Joe’s, in Hillcrest) at 7:00 p.m. This is a totally free event, and refreshments will be served. For further information, contact Bailey Mitchell at (619) 515-2424, ext. 2913.

In an effort to reduce crime and make our neighborhoods safer, Third District City Councilmember Toni Atkins and Police Chief William Lansdowne will host a workshop on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, to assist residents in bringing Neighborhood Watch to their communities. The training will take place at the Normal Heights Community Center, 4649 Hawley Boulevard, one block south of Adams Ave. Doors will open at 8:45 a.m. and refreshments will be served.

When combined with Citizens Patrol as part of the police department’s overall plan of neighborhood policing, Neighborhood Watch was one of the primary reasons that crime dropped steadily by the end of the 1990s. However, as crime rates dropped, many of the Neighborhood Watch groups either disbanded or simply cut back on their activities.

The Neighborhood Watch workshop is free and open to the public. To assist with the planning for the workshop, residents are asked to RSVP by Nov. 6 to Councilmember Toni Atkins’ office at (619) 236-6633. However, no one will be turned away on the morning of the workshop.

Join The Center and the San Diego Transgender Coalition Nov. 20 to mourn the deaths and celebrate the lives of our transgender brothers and sisters lost to hate over the last year. This is the fifth annual Day of Remembrance and the second annual event to be held in San Diego. A march will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m., starting at The Center and proceeding west on University Avenue to Sixth Avenue. Following the march will be a remembrance ceremony with a reading of the names in the auditorium of The Center. The intent of the candlelight march and memorial service is to bring together the GLBT and allied communities to honor the lives of those lost to violence. The Coalition hopes to also increase public awareness of the transgender community and the violence often perpetuated against us. For more information, contact AJ Davis-DeFeo at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or Amanda Watson at (619) 819-5007.

The weekend before Thanksgiving traditionally brings together GLBT elected and appointed officials from around the world at the International Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials (INLGO) conference. This year the event is in San Diego, at the Hilton in Mission Bay, Nov. 20-23, hosted by local and state leadership such as conference co-chair San Diego City Councilmember Toni Atkins, California State Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Christine Kehoe and San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

Four panel discussions, a presidential candidate forum, and presentations will provide in-depth examination of some of today’s most controversial issues affecting GLBT and non-GLBT communities worldwide. The topics are: Gay Unions — An International Perspective, Addressing GLBT Issues for Our Youth and in Our Schools, and Gays Serving in the Armed Forces During Wartime. Kate Clinton, fresh from her fall tour, will also be on hand to offer her unique, humorous commentary on the developing Presidential election, and entertain guests at a gala dinner the closing night of the conference.

Since 1977, the American Cancer Society and Citizens for a Smoke-free America have sponsored the Great American Smokeout, an event based on the idea that smokers who can manage to quit for a day can quit for good. In support of this effort, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine’s community clinic is offering one free acupuncture treatment to new patients who want to kick the habit throughout the month of November.

The Pacific College Clinic utilizes auricular (ear) acupuncture. It is thought that these needles increase the flow of endorphins, morphine-like hormones that induce a deep state of relaxation. This state is prolonged and leads to a lessening of cravings for nicotine and other drugs.

Millions of Americans will stub out their cigarettes on Nov. 20. For individuals truly motivated to stop smoking, acupuncture can be just the help they need. Join Pacific College and make the Great American Smokeout the first day of your smoke-free life. For more information or to make an appointment, call (619) 574-6932.