On Saturday, Feb. 12, the San Diego chapter of Equality California/Marriage Equality California will host a community-wide celebration of Freedom to Marry Day. This event commemorates the one-year anniversary of the same-sex marriages performed in San Francisco last year by honoring the same-sex couples from San Diego who traveled there to get married. All are invited to join the celebration, not only GLBT couples, but also the entire GLBT community, their allies and all those concerned with attaining full civil rights for all Americans.

The Freedom to Marry Day celebration takes place at Bourbon Street (4612 Park Blvd.) from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. The event will include a champagne toast, wedding cake and updates on what is ahead in the struggle for marriage equality. Assemblymember Lori Saldaña, co-sponsor of AB 19, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, will speak about progress in the state Legislature.

Call (619) 291-4043 for more information.

San Diego Foundation for Change has announced that grant monies are now available from a $30,000 donation it received in 2004 from San Diego LGBT Pride. The money has been earmarked specifically for local GLBT grassroots organizations, which must apply for the grants by March 15.

Pride has given $143,000 to the foundation since 1996, with last year’s donation of $30,000 being the largest to date. Since then, the foundation has awarded 37 grants to local GLBT organizations.

The foundation has scheduled two grant-writing workshops before the application deadline. The first will be held from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m., Feb. 12, at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Ave., Carlsbad. The other will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Feb. 19, at The Center in Hillcrest.

Grant applications must be delivered or postmarked to the foundation’s office by 5:00 p.m., March 15. Faxes and emails will not be accepted. The address is 3758 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104. For more information, call the foundation at (619) 692-0527.

The first meeting of the Student Rainbow Alliance of San Diego County (a.k.a. Rainbow Alliance) for 2005 will be on Sunday, Feb. 13. The meeting will take place at the Family Health Centers complex at 3524 30th St.

Since December 2002 the group has met monthly to create more positive atmospheres on college and university campuses across the county. They are seeking representation from every single school of higher education in the county. This includes traditional universities, like SDSU, UCSD, CSUSM and USD; community colleges, like City, Mesa and Grossmont; law schools, like Cal Western; trade and technical schools; specialty schools; and other colleges. Whether or not a school has a GLBT group, student representation from every campus is requested. Students and faculty who are part of GLBT groups on a campus or attending schools without any GLBT programs should contact them. The Rainbow Alliance exists to help schools build GLBT programs, and serve as a network for those already in place.

Everyone is welcome to join in on this meeting. Contact Ben Cartwright at (619) 316-9197 or bcartwright@cox.net for more information.

With just months to go before its move to the renovated North Park Theatre, Lyric Opera San Diego presents a humorous musical look at this odyssey with “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the North Park Theatre,” a gala fundraising event taking place on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and all proceeds benefit Lyric Opera San Diego.

From Rossini to Sondheim, the music will also highlight the broad range of the company’s offerings across the entire spectrum of “singing theater” that is the special mission of Lyric Opera San Diego. The event will also include live and silent auctions, wine and desserts.

Artistic Director J. Sherwood Montgomery will serve as Master of the Revels, and there will be surprise guest artists. The highlight will be a preview of the 2005-2006 opening season at the North Park Theatre, with selections from The Mikado, Countess Maritza, Cinderella and The King and I. Gala performers include Pria Palikar, Shelly Brenemann, Joe Grienenberger, Brendan Curran, Robert Taylor, and Leon Natker.

Call the Lyric Opera box office at (619) 239-8836 for more information.

Students and professionals are encouraged to apply for the 2005-2006 Senate Fellowship Program with 39th District State Senator Christine Kehoe.

“The Senate Fellowship Program offers post-baccalaureate students and mid-career professionals the opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of the legislative process,” Kehoe said, “providing a challenging, professional work experience that serves as the foundation for successful careers in both the public and private sectors.”

The 11-month program gives college graduates the opportunity to become full-time State Senate staff members working on fiscal and policy issues in a senator’s Capitol or committee office. Fellows will participate in a weekly academic seminar with senators, senior staff, journalists and lobbyists, earning 12 graduate credits from California State University, Sacramento. Fellows are paid a monthly stipend of $1,972 per month, plus full health, dental and vision benefits.

Applicants must have earned their undergraduate degree by September 2005. No specific major is preferred. Individuals with advanced degrees or mid-career professionals are encouraged to apply.

The California State Senate in conjunction with the Center for California Studies at CSUS administers the program. Applications are available at Senator Kehoe’s Capitol office, or by calling her district office at (619) 294-7600. You may also request an application online from the Center for California Studies by email at calstudies@csus.edu, or call (916) 322-7563. The application deadline is February 23, 2005.

An event to unite women and stop violence takes place Sunday, Feb. 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Burn A Candle Store, located at 2800 University Ave.

The evening will kick off with an introduction outlining the mission and vision of V-Day 2005, followed by an art showcase of various women artists, live music, food, drinks, group discussion and non-violence education for battered women. Tax-deductible donations benefit a local battered women’s service.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Call Jennifer Berry at (619) 952-4322 or email her at JenBerry@mindspring.com for more information.

By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.

The 16th annual Women’s Resource Fair for homeless and battered women takes place Saturday, Feb. 19, in Golden Hall. A variety of free resources and services will be provided between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., including medical care, veterans services, shelter referrals, education and employment assistance, mental health counseling, spiritual care, childcare, breakfast, lunch and transportation.

Information about food stamps, general relief, Medi-Cal and CalWORKS will be available, as well as legal assistance for criminal cases, domestic violence, restraining orders, outstanding warrants, child support and other family law issues.

Golden Hall is adjacent to the Civic Administration Building, located at 202 C. St. in downtown San Diego. Call the Women’s Resource Fair hotline at (619) 338-6620 for more information.