Scouting For All (SFA) will hold their fifth annual rally to protest the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) discriminatory membership policies, which exclude GLBT and atheist youth and adult leaders. Local Eagle Scouts and San Diego community leaders will take a stand against the BSA, speaking in front of the Boy Scouts’ local Balboa Park headquarters at 1207 Upas Street on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 11:00 a.m.

Scott Cozza, co-founder and president of SFA, will keynote the rally. Cozza will talk about institutionalized homophobia and what actions SFA will take to influence the BSA. Other community leaders and Eagle Scouts speaking at the event will share their views on the BSA’s current exclusionary policies. Howard Menzer, southwestern regional director for Scouting for All, is the master of ceremonies.

The City of San Diego has a standing 1990 ordinance that the city will not do business with organizations that discriminate. In April, U.S. District Judge Napoleon Jones Jr. ruled against the Boy Scouts on all issues in the lease case, including the BSA camp in Balboa Park and the BSA Fiesta Island facility in Pacific Beach. Yet, as of today, the Boy Scouts are still using both facilities and have not vacated either property.

The peaceful rally, which typically attracts more than 200 protestors, will continue every year until the BSA changes its discriminatory membership policies. For more information contact Howard Menzer at (858) 268-2853.

The Center’s Health Services Department is forming a workshop for male couples beginning this month. The group meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. The group will meet for eight sessions with a psychological and educational focus on increasing the couple’s safety, passion and intimacy.

Workshop facilitator Michael Vigorito, a staff counselor with The Center and a marriage and family therapy intern, has facilitated various groups at The Center and has a master’s degree in community counseling.

For more information or to enroll in the program, call Vigorito at (619) 260-6380, ext. 110.

Over 40 community organizations that belong to a united effort to mobilize GLBT voters and The California Voter Project – a collaboration of The Center and Equality California – are planning their largest neighborhood-canvassing event yet, taking place Saturday, Aug. 28.

Everyone is invited to participate in this effort to educate San Diego about GLBT families. Join the California Voter Project at 9:00 a.m. at The Center where the morning will begin with snacks and a short presentation on how to register and educate voters about the importance of voting. After canvassing neighborhoods, volunteers will return to The Center for food, drink and festivities, and to celebrate the successful efforts of LGBT San Diego Delivers the Vote and the California Voter Project.

For more information, contact The Center or Equality California. Ask for AJ Davis at (619) 692-2077 ext. 212, or Jeffrey Mittman at (619) 692-2077 ext. 211.

The races at Del Mar have become a San Diego tradition, and this year The Center will be taking part in the fun and excitement. Join the Front and Center Club at the Del Mar Racetrack on Monday, Aug. 23. The Center has reserved a Celebrity Suite for the Front & Center Club to enjoy their Day at the Races in style. Enjoy superb trackside viewing, access to the patio overlooking the saddling paddock, a buffet, air conditioning and great ambience. Make an afternoon of it by leaving work early and joining The Center at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 each. To purchase, contact Zac Mikles at (619) 692-2077 ext. 246.

On Thursday, Aug. 26, Mama’s Kitchen, a nonprofit delivery service dedicated to providing nutritious meals 365 days a year to San Diegans affected by AIDS, and Bourbon Street present their ninth annual wine tasting event. All proceeds benefit the home-delivered meals program to those living with AIDS throughout San Diego County.

“Bourbon & Blue Velvet” will feature the cabaret music of the Blue Velvet trio, a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres from Prego Ristorante, California Cuisine, Ono Sushi, The Abbey Café and Twiggs Tea & Coffee and Bakery. Southern Wine and Spirits will sample four different types of wines throughout the evening.

Bourbon & Blue Velvet begins at 6:00 p.m. at Bourbon Street, located at 4612 Park Blvd. Tickets are $35. For information, call (619) 233-6262.

The San Diego Bisexual Forum is now hosting a movie night for the GLBT community every third Thursday of the month in the basement of The Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. Call (858) 259-8019 for more information.

Equality California (EQCA) invites the entire community to help with their new Family Media Project. EQCA is seeking out families to participate in creating a booklet of stories explaining why marriage access is important to kids; the stories will be shared with the public, elected officials and other fair-minded, non-gay people. EQCA is asking families and children to send letters explaining things that children of gay parents have said about the issue of same-sex marriage, including testimonials and drawings that depict the real life struggles and joy of their families.

Along with any poems, letters and drawings, EQCA is asking for a picture of the family to be included. For more information, contact Marina Gatto, intern coordinator for the EQCA Family Media Project, at marina@eqca.org.

Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Gay Men’s Health Program is holding its fifth Gay Men’s Relationship and Empowerment Retreat Sept. 10-12 in Julian. Participants will get a chance to address relationship issues important to gay men in a safe and supportive environment. One of the goals of this retreat is to allow individuals to learn from each other’s past experiences and break down some of the stereotypes associated with gay relationships. Another goal is to provide an environment that will allow gay men to implement positive change in their community through empowerment. This is a free event; food and lodging will be provided.

Call (619) 515-2424 ext. 2912 for more information.

After four months of extensive renovations, The Flame reopens its doors on Friday, Aug. 27, with a red-hot party to benefit The Center’s public policy department.

The reopening party is hosted by The Flame’s owners: Richard Britton, Nicholas Moede and Butch Von Ryan. Joining the hosting responsibilities are Center board members Big Mike and Todd Gloria. Longtime local activist and city commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez will act as emcee during the evening’s short program. Funds raised at the event will support The Center’s LGBT San Diego Delivers the Vote campaign.

The Flame, which closed for renovations on April 24, will emerge in its full glory on Aug. 27. The club features two newly conceived spaces containing multi-level dance floors, high-tech bars, a flame-red “chill” bar and extensive visual, lighting and laser effects.

The Flame preview party reception will be on Thursday, Aug. 26 beginning with a VIP champagne reception at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the VIP reception are $25. There will be a general reception starting at 8:00 p.m. and continuing until close. Tickets are $10 and include a finger food buffet. Call (619) 295-4163 for more information.