Equality California (EQCA) will honor actor Eric McCormack of “Will and Grace” with the Equality Ally Award for his work to increase support of GLBT rights and Assemblymember Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista), co-author of the state resolution in support of the federal Military Readiness Enhancement Act (SJR 9), which calls for the repeal of the discriminatory policy “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” at the annual San Diego Equality Awards at Culy Warehouse on Saturday May 1 at 6 p.m. The celebration will include a three-course gourmet dinner and a silent auction featuring donated works of fine art. Culy Warehouse is located at 338 7th Ave. in Downtown. For more information or to RSVP, e-mail albert@eqca.org or call 619-847-3531.

Getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is a good idea any time, but a partnership of health advocates, led by MTV and Planned Parenthood, is urging people to get tested during April, STD Awareness Month. A nationwide campaign that includes the Centers for Disease Control and the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Get Yourself Tested (GYT) Now campaign is designed to educate people about the importance of being tested – and demystify the experience.

“Getting tested for STDs is not only a smart thing to do, it’s easy,” said Katharine Sheehan, M.D., Medical Director at Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties. “Most of our patients qualify for free services, so there’s absolutely no reason not to get tested.” Sheehan says some STDs, if left untreated, can have serious health consequences such as infertility, cervical cancer and even death. “Planned Parenthood offers low and no-cost testing and treatment, but we also help people prevent STDs through condom use and education.”

Planned Parenthood will be highlighted in April’s episode of the MTV series Dean’s List. This GYT edition will feature Planned Parenthood intern, Kayla, on her college campus in Connecticut talking about the importance of getting tested and her work with Planned Parenthood. She will also get tested on screen.

“We want people to see firsthand how easy it is to get tested,” said Lori Keim, Senior Director of Clinic Services for Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties. “I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised to see that it’s really no big deal. Getting tested is a simple urine sample to screen for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea or a quick finger stick for HIV testing. You don’t need an exam. You don’t even need to get undressed. If something is easy, inexpensive – maybe even free – and could possibly save your life, what possible reason is there not to do it?” To make an appointment call 1-888-743- PLAN (7526) or visit www.planned.org

San Diego Artwear will host a Spring art show at the home of Marie Studer in Carlsbad on Thursday, April 25. Formed by a group of local hand weavers in 1981, San Diego Artwear is one of the area’s oldest wearable art guilds. San Diego Artwear’s members include artists working in fiber, fabrics, glass, metals and other materials to produce one-of-a-kind garments and jewelry of the highest quality. A visit to an Artwear show is a unique opportunity to meet some of the area’s outstanding designer-artists, and to view work characterized by originality, the highest standards of craftsmanship and a dedication to the art of the hand. For more information, call 619-297-3030.

Activist San Diego will host a community discussion that will cover labor campaigns, disputes, boycotts and calls to action at the Joyce Beers Community Center on Monday, April 19 at 7 p.m. Find out what struggles are happening, what gains/losses labor has suffered and what those interested can do to help these causes. Learn what tactics and strategies have been successful. Representatives from campaigns including, The San Diego Maquiladora Workers’ Solidarity Network, the www.10NewsUnfair.com campaign and UNITE HERE: Manchester Grand Hyatt boycott will be participating. The Joyce Beers Community Center is located at 1230 Cleveland Ave. in Hillcrest (cross from Trader Joe’s). For more information, call 619-528-8383 or visit www.activistsandiego.org.

San Diego State University will hold its 3rd Annual Diversity Conference on Saturday, April 24th, 2010 at the SDSU Aztec Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Diversity Conference will focus on a range of topic, including but not limited to education, health, gender, race and religion. Issues concerning glass ceilings, social justice, economics, law, sexual orientation, and veterans are also included in the workshops. Similar to last year’s presenters, the 2010 presenters’ backgrounds vary from SDSU faculty or staff to experts from outside of the San Diego city line.

The conference will also host an opening play starring Barry “Shabaka” Henley. The New Orleans’ born actor has held numerous appearances on Ali, Grey’s Anatomy, Barbershop, NYPD Blue, Law & Order, and Miami Vice.

It is expected for 300 people to attend the conference, and most of the expected audience is not only SDSU students. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are all welcome to experience SDSU’s 3rd Annual Diversity Conference. Early bird registration is $5.

For more information or to register for the conference, please visit http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/intercultural/diversity-conference.html or call the SDSU Cross Cultural Center at 619-594-7057.