Harvey Milk Day 2010 will mark the first time in our nation’s history that a state has designated a day to officially recognize and celebrate the contributions of an openly GLBT person. In support, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF), a community foundation serving San Diego’s LGBT community, has recognized Harvey Milk Day as an official company holiday.

Harvey Milk served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977-1978. Milk was the first openly gay person elected to public office in a major city. He was assassinated by a former Board colleague Dan White. Harvey Milk Day was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger in October of 2009.

Milk advocated for justice and unity. He courageously called upon LGBT persons to come out and be counted. Milk believed visibility is the key to achieving equal civil rights.

“Milk called for us to come out. Come out as LGBT or come out as a supporter. The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation has heard his call. The Board of Directors has officially recognized May 22 as a company holiday,” said Amy Snyder, President, Board of Directors for the SDHDF. “It is a day for reflection and celebration. For us at the community foundation, it is a day for hope,”

The San Diego Human Dignity Foundation was established in 1996 with a mission to improve the quality of life within San Diego’s GLBT community by promoting responsible philanthropy to enact positive change. To learn more please visit www.mylgbtfoundation.org.

San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride is accepting nominations from the community for its annual Spirit of Stonewall awards, which honors individuals and organizations that have made significant, positive impacts on San Diego’s GLBT community. The recipients are celebrated in the annual pride parade, scheduled this year for July 17.

Those submitting nominations are encouraged to consider volunteers, employees, donors or organizations that support the GLBT community through their tireless work or actions – those unsung heroes who may not necessarily be well-known, but who have touched the lives of many.

Each year the community is asked to participate in the awards process by submitting nominations. The award categories are:

Champion(s) of Pride – An individual or couple who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the GLBT community over an extended period of years, or who have made an exceptional contribution over the past year.

Friend(s) of the Year – An individual or couple who does not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, but who has stalwartly supported the GLBT community over an extended period of years or the past year.

Stonewall Service Award – A group or organization, which may or may not identify as specifically GLBT, but which has greatly supported the community over an extended period of years and/or has made an exceptional contribution in the past year.

Community Service – An individual (or couple) recognized as an “up-and-coming” leader within the community, or whose contributions to the community over the past year carried significant impact.

Nomination forms are available on the Pride Web site (www.SanDiegoPride.org) and at the Pride office, located at 3620 30th Street, Suite C, San Diego, 92104. The deadline for turning in nominations is March 11.

San Diego LGBT Pride is a community enhancement organization that fosters pride in and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, both locally and globally. To date, San Diego Pride has given more than $1.3 million to a host of community organizations and charities through grant funding, including to the LGBT Center and other Pride organizations as well. San Diego Pride remains a tireless advocate for equality and diversity.

For more information about upcoming events, call the Pride office at: 619-297-7683 or visit www.SanDiegoPride.org.

In The Marriage Bed, Jeni loves Val and Val loves Jeni. But is that enough reason to get married, especially when you’re not sure your girlfriend is over her ex, and one of you is not out to your family?

During the run of The Marriage Bed, Diversionary will display Belá Dornan’s 142 Days of Equality (www.142days.com), which features pictures of same-sex couples who married during the 142 days when it was legal to get married in California.

Diversionary invites the community to drop off or email a wedding day picture which will be displayed in conjunction with Belá’s display. Any photos submitted will not be returned. Please label pictures with first names (left, right, top, bottom, etc.) and date of marriage. Drop off at the theatre, or email to boxoffice@diversionary.org – please put “photo for lobby display” in the subject line.

The Marriage Bed is directed by Rosina Reynolds, and features Dana Hooley and Dré Slaman. The show will run for three weeks from February 11-28. The Marriage Bed is underwritten by Joann Clark. For information, call the Diversionary box office at 619-220-0097 or visit www.diversionary.org.

According to a new study released by the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 19 million sexually transmitted infections (STI) occur each year. Condom use is the single most effective way for sexually active men to protect themselves and their partners.

“Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties is encouraging people to start a dialogue with their partners about condom use,” said Jennifer Coburn, Director of Communications of the local Planned Parenthood. “Many people who have an STI don’t even realize it. It’s important to let your partner know that you want to use condoms every time you have sex to keep both of you healthy.”

Planned Parenthood’s line of stylish PROPER ATTIRE® condoms are available for free at San Diego’s 14 health centers during National Condom Week, Feb. 14-21. (While supplies last.) PROPER ATTIRE® condoms have been tremendously popular, with more than 20 million sold annually. Featuring chic packaging in different varieties guaranteed to please, PROPER ATTIRE® offers both safety and style.

As a trusted health care provider, Planned Parenthood also knows firsthand the power of education to help people make responsible decisions about their health. As such, Planned Parenthood offers the following tips for negotiating condom use:

Don’t wait until the heat of the moment to bring it up. Talk about condom use before you are in a situation where you might need one.

Be direct about your feelings.

You may want to practice what you are going to say to your partner.

Make sure you send a consistent message that you want to use condoms every time you have sex.

Discuss with your partner which of you will provide the condoms.

Emphasize that condoms are essential to protect each other’s health.

Every year Planned Parenthood provides more than four million women, men, and teens nationwide with health information, services, and education to prevent STIs and pregnancy.