San Diego LGBT Pride will present Amancio: Two Faces on a Tombstone, on Jan. 21, at the Sheraton Mission Valley. The screening is part of opening day for the Consolidated Association of Pride Incorporated’s (CAPI) annual conference, scheduled for Jan. 21-24, 2010, and hosted by San Diego Pride.

The documentary, which focuses on life-and-death issues still facing sexual minorities, has captivated audiences at GLBT film festivals around the world since it premiered in May. Directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Tom Murray and produced by Bruce Presley of Downtown Loft Studio, Amancio trails the compelling story of one man’s journey to avenge the murder of a young gay man.

The film shares the loss for Amancio’s family whose love for their son extended to including on his tombstone the two faces of Amancio: one as Amancio and one as Delilah, his stage persona. The film documents the outrage of local gay activist, Michael Baughman, who pulled the community together to keep law officials on the case. After two years, Baughman’s efforts paid off when an anonymous informant led the sheriff’s department to the killer.

The community is invited to attend while joining Pride organizers from California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Utah and Mexico as they kickoff the conference, which includes a four-day program of workshops, discussion panels and training sessions aimed at helping Pride organizations throughout the Western United States and Mexico enhance their yearly celebrations.

San Diego Pride last hosted the annual CAPI conference in 2002. Keynote speakers will include a roster of regional speakers joined by San Diego Pride board members, San Diego Metropolitan Community Church founder Troy Perry and former assistant to President Jimmy Carter and longtime GLBT activist Midge Costanza.

Admission to the film is $5. Tickets are available online by navigating to CAPI at SanDiegoPride.org. For more information about the upcoming CAPI conference and 2010 Pride awareness events, visit the Web site or call 619-297-7683.

The HIV Health Services Planning Council recently named County of San Diego Board of Supervisors of Carole Norman as the new Chairperson of the HIV Health Services Planning Council. Norman has a rich history as an advocate for those living with, and at risk for acquiring HIV/AIDS. In the past year the HIV Health Services Planning Council and its members have been committed to the planning efforts for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Extension Act of 2009.

Many of the members of the planning council have worked with Norman over the years and have seen firsthand her collaborative leadership style. Scott Suckow, past chair and Terry Cunningham, Chief HIV Health Services Planning Council HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch said they, along with planning council members look forward to working with Norman in her new role.

“Each Chair brings new skills and energy to benefit the HIV Planning Council process,” they stated in an e-mail, noting the changing epidemic and environment in which services are funded and rendered demand constant attention.“The Planning Council’s ability to adapt to meet the needs of People Living with HIV/AIDS is evident as you look at the key decisions the Council has made and those who have provided leadership during that process. The past three and a half years have presented many challenges that have been successfully met.We know the future holds just as much optimism that the Council’s collaborative nature will result in well thought out and deliberative decisions that will continue to save lives.”

Being caught Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is a rough Christmas gift. This holiday season Yellow Cab urges the citizens of San Diego to drink responsibly. They are reminding everyone that no matter what your holiday festivities don’t get behind the wheel if you have been drinking.

Your life will change forever if you are caught driving while under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, if someone else is injured or pays the ultimate price for negligence and is killed, the consequences are devastating for not only the person convicted, but the loved ones of everyone involved.

Instead San Diego residents are urged to call for a ride or walk home. By doing so you will ensure that 2010 will be a wonderful year and the folks at Yellow Cab want to share it with you – but not in jail!

If you have been drinking this holiday season and are in need of a ride, Yellow Cab can be reached at 619/858/760-444-4444.

The Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego welcomes the entire community the first Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Celebrations at their new church home by Mission Bay. Identical services will be offered at 5 and 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 24 at 2633 Denver Street, just South of Clairemont Drive and just East of I-5, via Exit 22, across from Mission Bay Park. There is parking in the church’s and adjacent lots as well as abundant street parking. For more information on the church and its ministries to the GLBT and greater community, go to www.TheMetChurch.org.

SAN DIEGO (AP) – The California Department of Parks and Recreation is forming a task force to address equality issues for its women and gay employees.

Parks officials said Thursday the move is part of a settlement with a lesbian park ranger who filed a harassment lawsuit in San Diego County.

Jennifer Donovan claimed that colleagues posted obscene drawings and left underwear and sex toys in her locker during the six years she worked at San Onofre and San Clemente state beaches.

Her attorney, Wendy Musell, says the settlement calls for a panel to monitor recruitment and equality issues for women, gays and transgender people. The department will also audit and improve its equal employment opportunity procedures.

The parks department did not acknowledge any wrongdoing.