Activist San Diego will host a forum on health care reform at the Joyce Beers Community Center on Monday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. “The truth about single payer health reform and the lies that are killing it” will feature Dr. Jeoffry B. Gordon, and playwright and activist Anita Simons. Gordon will discuss who supports health care reform, who opposes it and why, and Simons will discuss what needs to be done about it. Joyce Beers Community Center is located at 1090 Vermont St. in the Uptown District, next to Trader Joe’s in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619-528-8383 or e-mail info@activistsandiego.org.

North Park gallery Agitprop will feature photographs by San Diego photographer Andrew Printer with a writing workshop on the themes of Printer’s work on Saturday, Aug. 15. The closing of the exhibit will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Andrew Printer’s exhibition of photography called “Second Thoughts From Normal Heights” includes 12 photographs that address themes of gay male representation, queer identity and gay assimilation. Each photograph lifts a convoluted gesture, pose or tactic employed by a homosexual photographer of the 20th century and recreates it in a variety of domestic spaces in Normal Heights. The work of George Platt-Lynes, Robert Mapplethorpe, Bob Mizer, Thomas Eakins, Wilhelm von Gloeden and Hollwood film stills are among those images referenced.

The writing workshop held in conjunction with Second Thoughts From Normal Heights is designed to interrupt the one-way dynamic of the traditional exhibition experience, something central to Printer’s community-based art practice.

Agitprop is located at 2837 University Ave. in North Park. Entrance to the gallery is on Utah Street. For more information, call 619-384-7989 or visit www.agitpropspace.org.

Are you an 18-24-year-old gay or bisexual man? Would you like a chance to make new friends while you learn ways to build healthier and more satisfying relationships? Then the “In the Mix” MPowerment Retreat may be for you. We are holding our next weekend retreat in Julian, Calif., on Aug. 21–23.

The weekend includes lively discussions and fun activities, allowing you to share your own experiences while gaining new ones. Participation is free, with lodging and meals provided. For more information or to register, contact Nicholas at nicholasl@fhcsd.org. or 619-515-2446, ext. 2920.

Thousands of supporters of equality for same-sex couples are joining together in more than 50 U.S. and Canadian cities and towns, including San Diego, to take part in the Great Nationwide Kiss-In this Saturday, Aug. 15. After incidents in San Antonio, Texas, El Paso, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah – where gay and lesbian couples were harassed or detained by law enforcement for kissing in a public place. “We need to make a strong statement to everyone everywhere: Kissing is not a bad thing, nor has it ever been. It’s not vulgar or inappropriate. It’s a sign of affection that is as old as time itself. And it’s a beautiful thing that we share with our loved ones every single day,” said WIllow Witte, the kiss-in national organizer.

The Manchester Hotel has been the target of a united GLBT and labor boycott for the past year and is the current symbol of activism in San Diego. Additionally, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and the recent murder of Seaman August Provost, make San Diego the perfect location for a public Kiss-In, organizers say.

“The Kiss-In is meant to be fun and emphasize the beauty of love and simple affection between two people,” Witte said. “People shouldn’t be made to live in fear of expressing their love! Love was meant to be celebrated. We just want people to come, to enjoy the company of the GLBT community, then at the designated hour, everyone will kiss. We want to make this statement about the beauty of such chaste affection, and the right for everyone to share that affection with whomever they choose in whatever environment suits them.”

Saturday, Aug. 15 is also the start of Fleet Week. As it turns out, the Unified Port District of San Diego is presenting a “Star Spangled Salute” fundraising event at the Manchester Grand Hyatt.

In January 2010, The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego (GMCSD) and The San Diego Men’s Chorus (SDMC) are merging to create a new, united chorus. The group is holding an online contest for community members to help select its new name.

Discussions regarding the merger, facilitated by Arts Consulting Group, began in early 2009, and in June both boards of directors unanimously approved the Merger Planning Committee’s recommendation to join forces. Leading up to the merger, the choruses will present their first joint performance in December. They invite the entire community to help re-name the chorus by competing in the online contest.

Submit your ideas and enter the contest at http://tinyurl.com/lna4u5. The contest runs through Monday, Aug. 24. The new chorus name will be selected from those submitted both by chorus members and the community at-large, with the final selection being made by the entire membership of the GMCSD and SDMC.

The winner will receive two free tickets to all major shows of the new chorus performed during 2010 (for community member or non-singing chorus members) or a waiver of 2010 member dues (for singing members).

The winner will also be an invited guest at the Dec. 12 Holiday Concert at the Balboa Theater, where they will be acknowledged from the stage.

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is accepting nominations for the inaugural GLSEN Student Advocate of the Year, who will be honored at the Respect Awards – Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 9.

GLSEN’s Student Advocate of the Year is an annual award given out to a high school student who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to GLSEN’s mission of ensuring safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Eligible students must be entering the 10th–12th grade and be able to attend the Respect Awards – Los Angeles. GLSEN will pay all expenses.

Deadline for nominations is Sunday, Aug. 23. Nomination forms can be found at https://my.glsen.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=386&tab=1.

GLSEN’s Respect Awards, held annually in Los Angeles and New York, recognize individual and corporate leaders who have helped propel GLSEN’s efforts to ensure safe schools for all of America’s students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established in 1990, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes to creating a more vibrant and diverse community.

For information on GLSEN’s research, educational resources, public policy advocacy, student organizing programs and educator training initiatives, visit www.glsen.org.

The Greater San Diego Business Association has been chosen to receive the San Diego Democratic Club’s 2009 Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award, presented each year to an individual or organization that has demonstrated service to the GLBT community through other organizations and community events.

The award will be presented to GSDBA at the Democratic Club’s annual Freedom Awards dinner at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park on Saturday, Aug. 22, starting at 6 p.m.

The GSDBA currently ranks as the second largest gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and supportive chamber of commerce in the country. It supports a membership that has grown to include more than 800 businesses and entrepreneurs.

“We are deeply honored by this award, which speaks to our role in promoting LGBT and LGBT-friendly businesses throughout San Diego County. Many of our members are struggling in this tough economy,” said Tom Luhnow, who was appointed last month as GSDBA’s new chief executive officer. “The GSDBA remains dedicated in helping them to succeed while increasing their visibility within the greater San Diego business community.”

For information about GSDBA membership and events, call 619-296-4543, or visit www.gsdba.org.

The Gay & Lesbian Times is seeking to interview unemployed GLBT people for an upcoming feature on unemployment. Interviews will be confidential and anonymous. Interview questions will range from when and why did you become unemployed, to what has your experience been like since becoming unemployed? Interviews will require completing a short questionnaire beforehand, preferably through e-mail, and will take between 10 to 15 minutes. Interviews can be conducted in person, via phone or through instant messaging. You can end your participation at any time with no repercussions. There is no compensation for participating. For more information or to participate, e-mail rickb@uptownpub.com or call 619-331-7102.