The San Diego chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER) invites the public to join them Friday, July 23, on Shelter Island as they welcome the USS Ronald Reagan to San Diego. The San Diego AVER chapter has held rallies for the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS John C. Stennis.

Rally set-up will begin at 6:00 a.m. Arrival of the ship is subject to change without notice. For more information, call Ben Gomez at (619) 459-1019.

Mr. Ebony Universe Ronnie Miranda and Ladies Over Forty present the first annual Mr., Miss and Ms. Black Elite California Pageant on Aug. 14 and they are looking for contestants. Categories include presentation, swimwear, eveningwear, talent and question and answer. The pageant takes place at Elks Lodge #598, located at #6 Hensley in San Diego. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; show begins promptly at 8:00 p.m. Call Ronnie Miranda at (619) 808-3571 or email him at anothony12@yahoo.com for more information.

AB 1520, a bill by Assemblymember Christine Kehoe to honor California’s veterans, was approved 4-3 by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

Kehoe’s measure would provide long-overdue recognition to veterans with unique military experiences through creation of the California Veterans’ Memorials Commission. The commission would consist of gubernatorial and legislative appointees. Of the commissioners, a voting majority would be veterans, and all would serve without pay.

Japanese American veterans and GLBT veterans are two groups that may be among the first to request memorials through the commission. Kehoe’s measure allows for the designation of existing memorials as officially state-sanctioned. This provision would allow both the “Go For Broke” monument in Los Angeles, and the LGBT Veterans Memorial in Palm Springs to be considered for designation as the official monuments to those veterans. The “Go For Broke” monument was dedicated as a private monument in 1999 to the Nisei soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion/442nd Regimental Combat Team of World War II, whose members received 21 Medals of Honor. The Palm Springs memorial for LGBT veterans is believed to be the first of its kind and was dedicated as a private monument in 2001.

Ever wanted to dance with a partner to the wonderful strains of beautiful waltz, fox trot, tango or rumba? Join Rosemary Ward at The Center for lessons in International Latin and Standard styles at The Ballroom Dance Experience. Class will be held at The Center on Saturday, July 24, starting at 12:00 noon. There will be a $10 fee collected at the door and all proceeds will benefit The Center. No partner is necessary to participate. Call (619) 692-2077 for more information.

Suanne Pauley, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride, will speak at the next PFLAG meeting, taking place July 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, about all the wonderful things that happen during the community’s largest celebration of the year. Pride is also the largest civic event for the City of San Diego, with over 150,000 spectators. Pauley will share information about what is new with this year’s festivities.

The First Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 4190 Front St. in Hillcrest. For more information, call (619) 579-7640.

Kick off pride weekend with a celebration at Indulgence Café and Bakery sponsored by the Bisexual Foundation and Bisexual Forum. Join other members of the bi community on Friday, July 30, at Indulgence, located at 4207 Park Blvd. There will be a no-host dinner featuring “bi” menu items from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Hosted desserts, coffee and music will follow from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Free Cricket Cola samples and a raffle will also be a part of the celebration. Call (619) 299-3404 for more information.

The Sunday, July 25, Carlsbad PFLAG meeting will feature Dr. Stephen White, who will show and discuss his recent video, The Rainbow Connection. Developed while earning his doctorate, White addresses many of the concerns that parents have when they learn that a child is gay. These issues include religion, the apparent loss of hopes and expectations, concerns about welfare of the child and how parents can begin to understand.

The meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Ave. in Carlsbad. Call (760) 726-7524 for more information.

Nicole LeFayour, a candidate for Idaho State Assembly, will keynote this year’s Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund brunch, taking place Saturday, July 31, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Margarita’s Restaurant, located at 1421 University Ave. If elected, LeFayour will be the first out GLBT elected official in Idaho history. Other special guests include: Assemblymember Christine Kehoe, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins. Admission is $50. All funds benefit the Victory Fund. Call Pam Wilson at (619) 233-1888 ext. 257 for more information. The Victory Fund is the only national organization whose central mission is to increase the number of outstanding openly GLBT public officials.

In preparation for the Fall 2004 Macy’s Passport In-Store shopping fundraiser scheduled to take place in San Diego at Macy’s Fashion Valley and Mission Valley Home Store on Saturday, Oct. 2, Macy’s invites all nonprofit organizations offering HIV/AIDS services and programs to apply as a beneficiary. The deadline for applications is July 30.

Passport In-Store is a shopping event benefiting HIV/AIDS community programs in the San Diego area. Sponsored by Cargo, Star 100.7 and Luna Bar, the event offers an activity-filled day of fashion events, cooking demonstrations, makeovers and the chance to win a $1,000 Macy’s shopping spree. Beneficiaries will sell $10 tickets, which may be used at Macy’s Fashion Valley and Macy’s Mission Valley Home Store during the Oct. 2 event to obtain special discounts.

For more information about Macy’s Passport In-Store, or to request an application, call (800) 430-9782 and select option 5.

Family Health Centers of San Diego is having an open call for its “HIV Stops With Me” campaign. The campaign aims to reduce the stigma associated with HIV and to acknowledge the powerful role that people who are positive have in ending the epidemic. It does this by featuring HIV-positive individuals talking about important issues. The campaign deals directly with sex and condom use, and raises important themes such as responsibility, communication and disclosure of status. Each speaker has a personalized message to deliver to other people who are HIV-positive. Family Health Centers is currently seeking HIV-positive Latino gay males to join the endeavor. If you or anyone you may know would like to take part, contact Felipe Garcia at (619) 515-2447.

“Unity,” this year’s Pride concert featuring San Diego’s gay male vocal groups, will be held Wednesday, July 28, and Thursday, July 29, at University Christian Church, located at 3900 Cleveland Ave.

Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $12, $10 for seniors and students, and can be purchased from group members, Obelisk Bookstore, Park Boulevard Pharmacy, at the door, or by calling (619) 296-SONG. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Mama’s Kitchen and Special Delivery.