Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis will take the stage as keynote speaker for the Greater San Diego Business Association’s 30th anniversary celebration, which starts at 6 p.m., next Thursday, June 11, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Downtown San Diego.

The public event, which will be emceed by longtime journalist and television personality Eric Collins, will feature dinner and cocktails, a VIP reception, a silent auction and awards given by the GSDBA to various local businesses. A short historical video capturing GSDBA’s progress in the local business community will be incorporated into the program.

Founded in 1979, the GSDBA has grown to include 800 members and ranks as the second largest gay and lesbian supportive business chamber in the nation. In 2006, it was named “Chamber of the Year” by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Louganis is a fitting keynote speaker for the anniversary event, says Joyce Marieb, GSDBA’s chief executive officer. “He is an iconic figure within the LGBT community and an excellent business person.”

Louganis won two Olympic gold medals at the age of 24 in platform and springboard diving. Then in 1988, competing against divers half his age, he became the first to win double gold medals for diving in two consecutive Olympics. In his New York Times best-selling autobiography released a few years later, titled Breaking the Surface, Louganis outlined his illustrious diving career and the challenges he faced along the way as a gay man.

Tickets, which must be reserved by May 9, are $150 for the dinner; $200 for dinner and the VIP reception; $1,500 for tables of 10; and $2,000 for VIP tables. The tickets can be purchased online at gsdba.org, or by calling 619-296-4543.

The San Diego State University LGBT Aztec Alumni Chapter will host a mixer on Friday, June 26, starting at 5 p.m. at the Top of the Park, located in the Park Manor Suites Hotel at 525 Spruce St. The purpose of the event is to connect LGBT alumni of SDSU with each other, and promote membership in the chapter. The event will include free appetizers, giveaways, and information about the SDSU Alumni Association. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Membership in the LGBT Aztec Alumni Chapter is free to any paid member of the SDSU Alumni Association, and Association membership is open to anyone. Chapter activities include regular schedule mixers, networking, and support of the LGBT student community at SDSU. The chapter was formed in early 2008.

For more information about the chapter or the mixer, contact Rob Rankin at sdsu.lgbt.alumni@gmail.com.

The Gay Men’s Health Services will host a day of interactive activities that explore the Gay Latino experience. The community is invited to take part in this event that will take place Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and guests will receive a gift for attending. The Value of Being Latino will be held at 3514 30th St. in North Park. To register, e-mail luiss@fhcsd.org or call 619-515-2300, ext. 2942.

Aug. 6, 1958 – May 10, 2009

Born in Grants, New Mexico, to his parents Leigh and Wanda Pickett Beggs, Okla., Steven Charles Pickett, along with his sister and brother, handled the deaths of both parents from asbestos cancer. In April of 2005, Steve fell and had a serious head injury and remained in hospitals and nursing homes for many months. After being taught how to walk and talk and handle life with a caregiver, he was doing well in readjusting to life.

On Mother’s Day of this year, he decided to leave us for a surprise visit to his mother. He will be greatly missed; he will be laid to rest in Beggs, Okla. with her.

Steve moved from Oklahoma in the early ’80s to Houston, Texas. He worked for Voss Alpine and Triplex in the oil industry in quality control and inventory. He traveled frequently for the company, and took his niece Marcy to Europe. He then went into the construction and maintenance field and excelled in repair, maintaining and building many homes. He then moved the business to Florida and, with his partner, sold it in 1997. From there they went to Northern California and built a new home to enjoy their retirement. The dampness of the area was not was what they wanted so they moved to San Diego with his four Boston Terriers and English boxer. Steve loved his dogs and called them his kids.

He leaves behind his sister Linda Guinn and her husband Craig, their daughter Marcy Targgard and her husband James and their two children, his brother Thomas and his wife Brenda and their three children, all of Beggs, Okla. He also leaves many friends, aunts and uncles.

He leaves many in San Diego: A special thanks to his caregivers, Michael Dawson and Gregory Swim, many doctors and nurses and all in the health care system, who worked with him and never took time off or gave up on him.

To my forever friend, lover, equal and companion, my heart is with you. Say ‘hi’ to mom for me.

Steve may your heart always filled with happiness and love, may the devilish look in your eyes and your special smile remain. Always remember it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. You are loved and will be greatly missed. Never goodbye. – Larry

July 5, 1970 – March 31, 2009

Joey, as he was known in the community, was born July 5, 1970, to Kenny and Peggy Thornhill. He is survived by his mother Peggy and sister, Tabitha Thornhill-Jones. Joey was born in Lahore, Pakistan. The family later moved to Ohio and finally settled in Tucson, Ariz.

Meeting Joey, you would never know that in his early years he struggled with severe dyslexia. His family did its very best to support, encourage and help him through his painful years from grade school through junior high. Joey found his calling one Christmas when he took apart and put back together his sister’s tape recorder. From that point on, Joey dove into learning electronic circuitry with the help of his father. He became the one you could turn to for an answer to almost any computer or mechanical challenge.

Joey absolutely enjoyed life and spending time with close friends. He would hop on his “horsie” to meet them for “drinkies,” hang out by the pool, play golf and Dig Dug, or head out of town for a weekend adventure.

The San Diego community knew a Joey who feasted at life’s banquet while being there for his friends and respecting his fellow man...what a combination!

Joey left us on March 31; he taught us all how to laugh, be there for each other, enjoy life and be better human beings. Joey had a unique spot within each of his friend’s lives that they never knew they needed – yet means so much to all of them.

The world was a better place with Joey; the world will be a better place because of what he taught us.