Linda Martinez, 50, a registered nurse with a master’s degree in counseling, has launched a rare healthcare survey of aging lesbians. The survey, part of her current master’s thesis in a nurse practitioner’s program, runs through December.

Few healthcare studies of older lesbians exist because they remain one of the most closeted groups of individuals, according to some reports. The largest study to date of lesbians and women over 45 was conducted with only 100 women over the age of 60 in 1986.

Martinez hopes to exceed the number in the 1986 survey and create a larger study of aging lesbian healthcare needs with the help of community groups, encouraging open attitudes and by using the Internet as part of the academic research.

Surveys are anonymous. For more information, call (770) 953-3154 or send for a survey copy: ASU Department of Nursing, Attn: Dr. Marianne McCarthy (women’s survey), P.O. Box 872602. Tempe, AZ 85287. You will not be asked to identify yourself.

The Center has announced that Sophia Rose will serve as their senior services coordinator, marking the first time that The Center has had a staff position specifically dedicated to addressing the programming needs of GLBT seniors in San Diego.

While The Center has a room dedicated to senior services, this new position will allow The Center to form additional senior social groups and support services, as well as work collaboratively with the diverse existing groups within San Diego’s GLBT senior community.

For more information, contact AJ Davis at (619) 692-2077 ext. 212

The seventh annual Dyke March and Festival kicks off with a rally at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Hall of Justice. Participants will then march up Broadway to the festival located on Sixth Avenue between Laurel and Juniper streets in Balboa Park. This year’s festival features activist Pat Washington and punk-rock singer and author Lynn Breedlove as keynote speakers, as well as live performances by Tribe 8, the San Diego Drag Kings Club, Alicia Champion, Mystery Hangup and more. Call (619) 297-0698 or email dykemarch@carambola.org for more information.

The Center and the LGBT San Diego Delivers the Vote! campaign has shifted its focus for its Saturday, Oct. 24, voter mobilization efforts. Rather than asking potential voters to attend a previously scheduled rally, The Center and the LGBT Delivers the Vote! campaign will begin a voter outreach effort that includes making phone calls to more than 10,000 GLBT and GLBT-friendly voters in the San Diego County area.

To volunteer to help with the critical last few days of voter mobilization work with The Center, please call AJ Davis at (619) 692-2077 ext. 212 or email her at adavis@thecentersd.org.

A celebration of life will be held for Imperial Court member Satin Styles on Nov. 7 at 3:00 p.m. at The Center. The celebration will be followed by a Tribute to Satin show; her mother, Mama Wheels, has asked that it be done in Satin’s style, and is encouraging guests to dress in bright colors and come with big hair. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations to be made to the Queen Eddie Youth Fund.

For more information contact Linda Childers at (619) 303-2384.

HIV-positive youth are encouraged to attend the 12th annual Ryan White National Youth Conference on HIV and AIDS (RWNYC) in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 19-21. RWNYC is the only national conference dedicated to building the HIV prevention and advocacy skills of young people living with HIV, peer educators and activists, as well as adults who work in support of young people. Conference participants will attend workshops highlighting programs and intervention, providing comprehensive, youth appropriate services for those at risk for HIV and for those who are living with it. RWNYC is an opportunity to learn about what works, share challenges and successes, and network with others who seek to end the AIDS crisis for America’s youth.

The Positive Youth Institute is a daylong conference for HIV-positive youth on Feb. 18, the day before the conference begins. The institute is led by HIV-positive staff from the National Association of People with AIDS and is designed to build leadership and advocacy skills among young people living with HIV. The goals of the institute are to build a sense of self-awareness, to foster a connection with other HIV-positive young people and to lessen the feelings of isolation. There are no additional fees for RWNYC participants who attend the Positive Youth Institute. For more information, call (202) 898-0414.

November 5-8, the hills of Julian become the weekend home for 120 gay, bisexual and transgender men desiring an alternative to the “gay scene.” The California Men’s Gathering (CMG) began in 1978 in Northern California as an annual event, and has blossomed over the years to become three events: a spring gathering in Malibu, a summer gathering in Santa Rosa and a fall gathering in Julian. The CMG is now also a 501c3 nonprofit organization and is totally run by volunteers.

The weekends are a collection of community gatherings, workshops covering everything from creating art to deep personal growth, and social events such as a dance and a talent show.

For more information about CMG, call the 24-hour hotline at (619) 491-3949. Registration for the fall gathering is now open.

To celebrate Halloween this year, the Kensington Talmadge Business Association (KTBA), a nonprofit community group, will be holding a Halloween Safe Night Out for all of the little “Trick-or-Treaters” in the community. Halloween night, Sunday, Oct. 31, and the week leading up to the big holiday, businesses throughout Kensington will be handing out treats from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Look for the participating-member pumpkin in the window of all participating businesses in Kensington.

The San Diego Center for Children, in partnership with the organization A.R.T.S. (A Reason to Survive) and the contemporary home furnishing store and art gallery Mixture in Little Italy, will host an exclusive art exhibit on Monday, Nov. 18, featuring original works from child artists who face adversity and emotional and behavioral disabilities.

The evening celebrates the artistic talents of children currently undergoing treatment programs through the San Diego Center For Children, the Ronald McDonald House, San Diego Hospice and Children’s Hospital of San Diego. The event takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mixture, located at 2210 Kettner Blvd. Donations are $5 and help support art programs designed for local children and provided by A.R.T.S., Mixture and the San Diego Center for Children.

Those interested in attending the event should RSVP to (858) 277-9550 ext.344.

Mama’s Kitchen, a nonprofit meal delivery service dedicated to providing nutritious meals 365 days a year to San Diegans affected by AIDS, is hosting its 13th annual Tree of Life Tree Lighting Ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hillcrest Retail Center located at 3965 Fifth Ave. The candlelight vigil seeks to honor those who have lost their life to AIDS and give strength and hope to those currently affected. Personalized ornaments commemorating loved ones will be displayed throughout the month of December, and can be purchased for $10 each or two for $15 at the tree lighting ceremony or through Mama’s Kitchen. The event is free and open to the public. All proceeds benefit the clients of Mama’s Kitchen. Call (619) 233-MAMA (6262) for more information.