The defendant, Kenyatta Mitchell, who attacked San Diego Pride Executive Director Ron deHarte during the Equality Torch Relay in Lemon Grove on Saturday, June 6, has been charged with felony battery and two misdemeanors: interference with civil rights (a hate crime charge) and giving false information to a peace officer. Mitchell faces up to three years in state prison and a $6,000 fine. A preliminary hearing at the East County Regional Complex in department 11 in El Cajon is set for June 22 at 8:40 a.m. San Diego Deputy District Attorney Oscar Garcia, prosecutor of hate crime cases, is working on the case.

A statewide marriage-equality coalition is hosting Get Engaged! Town Hall forum at The Center on Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. The coalition of more than 60 groups and organizations, including San Diego Equality Campaign, Marriage Equality USA, Equality California and the Human Rights Campaign, are hosting such forums across the state to discuss their upcoming marriage-equality campaign, present results of a commissioned poll and receive community feedback. The event will begin with a presentation and end with time for questions and answers. The Center is located at 3909 Centre Street in Hillcrest. The forum will take place again on Wednesday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Oceanside Community Rooms in Oceanside and Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. at South Bay Fish & Grill in Chula Vista. For more information, visit www.sdequalitynow.com or e-mail sarabrooks@gmail.com.

San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF) is hosting LGBT Aging – Are We Prepared?, an educational seminar, at Zocalo Grill in Old Town on Wednesday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. The seminar will explore issues such as senior services, housing, longterm care needs, insurance, advanced healthcare directives and durable powers of attorney. The foundation is seeking to help LGBT individuals and couples plan for their senior years. Organizers want attendees to leave the workshop with a clearer understanding of how to prepare for aging. Larry Conway and Rodney T. Herring, local attorneys, will facilitate. LGBT Aging – Are We Prepared? is the second in the foundation’s 2009 Educational Seminar Series. Organizers are asking those interested to RSVP, since space is limited. Zocalo Grill is located at 2444 San Diego Ave. in Old Town. For more information, call 619-291-3383 or visit www.mylgbtfoundation.org.

San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality (SAME) is planning a hate crimes march and rally at the World’s Largest Lemon, a Lemon Grove landmark, on Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m. SAME is organizing the event in response to recent hate crimes, including the attack against San Diego Pride Executive Director deHarte. The attack on Ron DeHarte at the Pride Torch Relay in Lemon Grove, and other recent hate crimes, must not pass by without a show of strength by the LGBT community, organizers say. The World’s Largest Lemon is located at 3232 Main St. in Lemon Grove. For more information, visit www.samealliance.com or call 858-335-6615.

Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis and GSDBA Board Chair Jon Borgeson present Matt Stephens, left, and Lauri Stock of Stock Stephens law firm with a “Business of the Year” award at the Greater San Diego Business Association’s 30th anniversary gala. The event was held June 11 at the Hard Rock Hotel in Downtown San Diego, and drew nearly 300 guests.

April 16, 1962 – June 14, 2009

Charlie E Gaffey, age 47, passed away at home on Sunday, June 14, 2009 after a courageous battle with mesothelioma.

He was born April 16, 1962, in Evanston, Ill. He is the son of Neil E. Gaffey and Mary Lou Eades. Charlie was a well-loved bartender for the past 15 years at several gay bars in San Diego.

Charlie is survived by three brothers, David Gaffey, Michael Mucha and Steven Mucha, and one sister, Jill Gaffey. He will also be missed by uncles, aunts and cousins. His friends Wendy, Pam, Tony, Jay and Big Mike, along with his cousin David, nephew Austin and Sister Jill were all by his side to say goodbye before the angels came to take him to heaven. His amazing smile and his laughter was a huge part of what made us all love him so much. There is now a new star in the heavens.

He will be greatly missed by so many great friends.

There was a celebration of life for Charlie at The Caliph Lounge on Wednesday, June 17.