On March 7, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation will set sail on the Spirit of San Diego. Boarding time will be at 11:30 a.m. with sailing from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. This year’s boat cruise, chaired by George Murphy, will feature a champagne brunch and entertainment provided by renowned recording artist Sue Palmer, along with vocalist Deejha Marie and bass player Sharon Shufelt.

Tickets for this event are $75 each. For more information or to make a reservation, call Alex Sanchez at (619) 236-1257.

Kelli O’Donnell, partner of Rosie O’Donnell, has been confirmed to be the keynote speaker at the Family Matters Parenting Conference and Resource Fair on Saturday, March 6. The conference and fair will be held at The Center, and will take over the entire building for the whole day. There will be over 15 exciting and informational workshops to choose from. For more information, contact Family Matters at (619) 497-2279.

U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy has introduced S. 1510, the Permanent Partners Immigration Act, a bill which will allow U.S. citizens to obtain permanent residency for their non-citizen domestic partners. S. 1510 was referred to the Immigration Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 31 of last year. It has been there ever since. California Senator Dianne Feinstein is a member of that subcommittee. Call or write Senator Feinstein urging her to cosponsor S. 1510 and to get it moving. She can be reached by phoning (800) 648-3516. Ask the operator for Feinstein’s office and leave a message with her receptionist.

On Thursday, Feb. 19 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Alliance Healthcare Foundation and The Center will host a Community Town Hall meeting to discuss the findings of the recent county-wide needs assessment of GLBT seniors. The Needs Assessment, funded by The California Endowment with support from Alliance Healthcare Foundation, was the first local attempt to assess the concerns and healthcare needs of San Diego County’s GLBT senior citizens.

The survey report makes 11 recommendations on how the health and social service needs of GLBT seniors can be addressed and improved in the future. The meeting will be held at The Center, 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information, call (619) 692-2077.

Join Family Matters the third Saturday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Old Town. The group is for all GLBT couples or singles thinking about or in the process of becoming parents through foster care, adoption, surrogacy or insemination. Meetings are held at Casey Family Programs, located at 3878 Old Town Ave. For more information, call Ali at (619) 298-3135 or Ryland at (760) 809-7113.

The February LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast will start promptly Friday, Feb. 20 at 7:30 a.m. and will focus on labor unions and employment in San Diego. Speakers will include Jerry Butkiewicz, secretary-treasurer of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council; Peter Zschiesche, executive director of the Employee Rights Center and Board Member of the San Diego Community College District; and Cheryl Robinson, union activist and member of SEIU Local 535 and San Diego Pride at Work. The cost is $6 per person and includes a full breakfast, panel presentation, Q&A and open networking. For more information, call AJ Davis-DeFeo at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212.

The San Diego Registrar of Voters has selected The Center as a polling place for the Primary Election on March 2. The Center’s auditorium will be open as a polling place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering to register voters at community locations and events should contact AJ Davis-DeFeo at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212.

Being Alive will be conducting an HIV/AIDS and Sexual Dysfunction seminar on “Cialis, The Facts and The Myths.” Cialis is a new prescription drug to treat impotency in men. The seminar will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Being Alive offices, located at 4070 Centre Street. Dr. David Shamblaw will be leading the discussion and a light lunch will be provided. To RSVP or for more information, call (619) 291-1400 and ask for Peer Advocacy.

Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Gay Men’s Health Program will host its third relationship and empowerment retreat in Julian, March 12-14. This free retreat is designed to give gay men the chance to talk openly about gay relationships without pressure or stigma. Gay men will learn to implement positive change in their community through empowerment, breaking down stereotypes and opening up issues for discussion in a safe and supportive environment. For an application or more information, call (619) 515-2578, ext. 2913.

The Imperial Court de San Diego, in conjunction with The Evening of Black Pride Committee, invites the community to The Evening of Black Pride Saturday, Feb. 21 at The Center. It will be an evening in which to celebrate black pride and an opportunity to salute and recognize outstanding, hardworking African-American individuals in the community.

A cocktail hour will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a buffet at 6:00 p.m. and program at 7:30 p.m. The featured guest speaker is Ms. Thelma Harris, senior HIV manager of State Government Affairs for GlaxoSmithKline. Honorees include the Rev. George W. Smith of the Catfish Club, Dr. Pat Washington, musician Janice Edwards, peer advocate Robert Carter, activist Ida Dupree, Traci O’Brien of the Transgender Clinic, and leather titleholders Tom Dickerson, Graylin Thornton and Mike Russell.

The Mr., Miss & Ms. Gay Black San Diego Contest will occur during the program. For more information or to compete, call (619) 889-0985 or (619) 264-6588. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St.