The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (SDGMC) will host a bachelor auction selling eligible “Chorus Cuties” at Urban Mo’s on Sunday, April 18, from 3-6 p.m.

“Regardless of your taste, there will be the perfect guy for everyone, said SDGMC’s Director of Development Jim Simpson. “Bachelors range from 20s to 50s and all have their unique styles and interests. Event attendees will have the opportunity to mingle with the bachelors prior to bidding to check out compatibility.

A fabulous prizes package will be paired with each bachelor to offer a pre-planned date after the purchase has been made. Prizes will include high-class dinners for two at posh area restaurants, pairs of theatre tickets to must-see shows and other great city happenings to enjoy their date.

For more information about the event, call 877-296-7664 or e-mail info@sdgmc.org.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) are providing free tax assistance to individuals with limited income and/or over the age of 60 who need help in completing simple federal and state income tax returns. Assistance is limited to full-year residents because nonresident and part-year resident returns can be complex.

Assistance is generally available from February 1 through April 15th. The VITA program specializes in assisting disabled taxpayers, those with low to limited income, and non-English speaking taxpayers.

The TCE program provides free income tax assistance for middle- or low-income taxpayers, giving special attention to those aged 60 and older.

Visit http://alturl.com/3pag to find a San Diego volunteer program near you.

Former Stepping Stone executive director Cheryl Houk has been elected to the organization’s board of directors. Houk directed the organization for 17 years and was responsible for a significant expansion of the agency during her tenure.

“Cheryl was an activist executive director who made major contributions to building support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender treatment/recovery and was a pioneer in serving clients with HIV/AIDS,” said Stepping Stone Board of Directors Chair Bill Hargreaves. “For many years Cheryl was the face of LGBT recovery here is San Diego. She worked tirelessly to bring hope to those suffering from alcoholism, addiction and HIV/AIDS. Fortunately for us she is returning to continue her remarkable service.”

Houk joins the board as the organization celebrates its 10th anniversary of its residential facility which she created. The theme of our weekend (June 4-6, 2010) of events marking the anniversary is, Cheryl’s Stone Turns 10.”

Stepping Stone recently added two other women to its board of directors: Lori Love and Maria Duffy. Love has been supporting the lesbian community in San Diego for more than 15 years. Originally from New York Lori came west in 1995. Now with 18 years of recovery she is passionate about offering her services and time to the community that speaks to her. She lives with her life partner Kelly Ford in Scripps Ranch. Duffy lives in Escondido and is a project manager at Qualcomm. She is very involved with her daughter, a high school senior who is a cross country runner and currently applying to colleges. Maria has joined the board in order to devote some of her time to community service, stating “Stepping Stone provides such a worthwhile service to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities.”

A party to recruit supporters to help with the festivities is planned for April 17 at 3767 Central Ave. in City Heights from 1-3 p.m. The event will feature food, free raffle tickets and great prizes, as well as a t-dance with DJ Muse. For more information, call 619-540-1543 or e-mail bixi@steppingstonesd.org.

A “Celebration of Life” for District Attorney Public Affairs Officer Midge Costanza will be held at the Town and Country Hotel on Saturday, April 24, at 2 p.m. The event will be open to the public. Further details will be forthcoming. The Town and Country Hotel is located at 500 Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley. For questions regarding the ceremony, e-mail Patti Roscoe at proscoe@pra.com.

The San Diego Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition will host Sex & Race: A Forum on Racial Disparities and Sexual Health Outcomes at the Price Building in City Heights on Wednesday, April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. We know that racial disparities are more complex than just a graph, that sexual health outcomes are more than just using a condom, that inequities aren’t right and that they exist in San Diego. We want to do something about it.

San Diego’s first comprehensive look at racial disparities and sexual health will examine:

• What is systematic oppression and how does it relate to race?

• Why are there inequities in STD rates and contraceptive use?

• What do kids say they are doing behind closed doors?

• How media and cultural factors inform us about race and sexuality?

• How are infants affected by sexual health disparities?

• And what can we do about it?

Admission to the forum is free. The Price Building is located at 4305 University Ave., Ste. 640 in City Heights. For more information, call 619-293-4744 or e-mail rosemari.ochoa@sdcounty.ca.gov

The Imperial Court de San Diego is hosting its annual GLBT Community Children’s Easter Egg Hunt at Trolley Barn Park in University Heights on Sunday, April 4, from noon to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to all. Easter baskets, eggs and toys will all be donated. Founded and coordinated by City Commissioner Nicole-Murray-Ramirez, the event hosts hundreds of children and families for a day of community fun. The Trolley Barn Park is located on Adams Ave. between Georgia Street and Alabama Street in University Heights. For more information, call 619-692-2077 or visit

www.thecentersd.org

Join the Imperial Court Council and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in a letter campaign to create a commemorative U.S. postage stamp in honor of Harvey Milk. This stamp would serve to further remind Americans that by honoring Harvey Milk you honor a true American hero and champion of civil rights for all people. Write to: Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, C/O Stamp Development, U.S. Postal Service, 1735 North Lynn St., Ste. 5013, Arlington, VA 22209. For additional information and to access a sample letter, e-mail harveymilkstampdir@cox.net.

Last week, Sen. Christine Kehoe introduced a joint resolution urging the federal government to include questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in the 2020 Census questionnaire. The resolution, SJR 28, calls on the US Congress and the President to revise the Census survey and to collect data identifying GLBT people living in the U.S.

“LGBT families and households are disproportionately under served and more likely to live in poverty,” said Kehoe. “We call on the US Congress and the President to ensure that every person living in the US is counted and has access to culturally competent health and human services.”

The United States Census does not currently include questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Data collected by the Census, as mandated by the US Constitution, is used to determine the number of seats allocated in the House of Representatives as well as the dissemination of federal funding for hospitals, job training centers, schools, public works projects and emergency services.

Equality California (EQCA) is sponsoring the resolution.

“All segments of our nation’s diverse population need to be counted by the US Census,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. “By ensuring that the LGBT community is counted, our state and federal government will have the necessary information to address the needs of our community.”

Since its inception, EQCA has passed over 60 pieces of pro-GLBT legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment.