Immigration Equality San Diego is co-sponsoring an immigration workshop on Saturday, April 16, at the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UCSD from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The workshop will focus on self-petitioning, which enables foreign-born researchers, scientists and technical professionals the opportunity to petition for permanent residency (green card) in the United States. The workshop will provide the necessary tools and accurate information from experienced immigration attorneys.

The workshop is free of charge but space is limited. RSVP to jkp135@att.net.

Immigration Equality San Diego meets the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at The Center, 3909 Centre St.

On Monday, April 18, they will be having a discussion with an immigration attorney on GLBT and HIV-positive asylum and deportation issues, followed by a social get-together. Bring finger foods or dessert. For more information, email Sam at mactoba@yahoo.com.

Tickets are now available for FilmOut San Diego 2005 at Obelisk Bookstore, located at 1029 University Ave. Call (619) 297-4171 for more information.

Individual tickets are $25 for the opening night screening of Dorian Blues, which includes an after-party at Top of the Park with free food and drink. Tickets are $9 a piece for all other screenings. A full festival pass is available for $100 per person and a couple’s pass is $190.

FilmOut takes place at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park April 28 through May 1. The theater seats 226 people, so early ticket purchase is strongly recommended.

San Diego LGBT Pride is assisting in the political quest of former board member and gay activist Mike Karim, who was imprisoned Jan. 4, at Otay Mesa Detention Facility after his visa expired. Known also as Mohamad Abdul-Karim in his native Lebanon, he was denied U.S. political asylum in 1998 and currently awaits the outcome of a motion to reopen his case.

Karim, who faces persecution if sent back to Lebanon for his activism with GLBT organizations, has served on the boards of San Diego LGBT Pride, Consolidated Association of Pride and Al-Fatiha, an international gay Muslim group. He has also volunteered for AIDS Walk San Diego for the last six years.

In an effort to gain support for Karim’s case, the San Diego LGBT Pride office has issued a letter to community leaders asking for signatures favoring his asylum and release from prison. Additionally, several members of Congress and various organizations within the local community are working on Karim’s behalf as new proceedings for his asylum continue.

“Our community needs to step up and support Mike, as well as other LGBT individuals who face the same type of legal and political immigration issues,” said Suanne Pauley, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride.

Those interested in lending their support through signatures or monetary donations for Karim’s defense fund should call the Pride office at (619) 297-7683.

On Sunday, April 10, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. participating Balboa Park cultural groups join with other San Diego County cultural organizations at the San Diego Museum of Man Courtyard for the first-ever Volunteer Recruitment Fair. Potential volunteers can investigate a variety of volunteer opportunities in a one-stop shopping atmosphere.

Hosted by the Cultural Volunteers Managers Council, the Volunteer Recruitment Fair is an opportunity to learn about the unique and rewarding volunteer experiences while meeting people with similar interests and gaining a sense of community and world culture.

Participating Balboa Park organizations include: Balboa Park Visitors Information Center, Museum of Photographic Arts, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego Aerospace Museum, San Diego Automotive Museum, San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Natural History Museum and Starlight Theatre.

Other participating San Diego County cultural organizations include: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Gemological Institute of America, San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum (Midway) and San Diego Maritime Museum.

Call (619) 239-0512 for additional information.

Each year, the Early Spring’s Glory Garden Tour highlights some of San Diego County’s most opulent gardens, and benefits Fraternity House and Michaelle House, San Diego’s only licensed homes offering transitional, long-term, and hospice care to men and women living with HIV/AIDS. This year’s tour takes place on Sunday, April 10, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Admission is $25 per person, and includes light refreshments and appetizers along the four-garden tour. Registration will take place at Olivenhain Meeting Hall, located at 423 Rancho Santa Fe Rd. in Encinitas.

For more information, contact Abby Schwartz, development manager, at

(760) 736-0292 ext.103

or ALSfraternityhouse@prodigy.net.

A fundraising reception for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom takes place at the El Cortez Hotel at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11. Admission is $500 for the host committee, or $100 for the general reception.

The El Cortez Hotel is located at 702 Ash St. in downtown San Diego.

Contact Mike Montgomery at (415) 279-9042 or email

mike.montgomery@gmail.com for more information.

The Coalition for Inmate Health, a subcommittee of the San Diego HIV Planning Council, hosts an afternoon of compelling stories told by HIV-positive consumers Tuesday, April 12, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, located at 3094 L St.

A panel of former inmates will tell their real-life experiences on coping with HIV after having been released from jail or prison.

The event is co-sponsored by St. Paul United Methodist Church and Hillcrest Pharmacy.

Call Tim Smith at (619) 296-5924 or Elton Stovell at (619) 266-9400 ext. 14 for more information.

A modest admission charge includes lunch catered by The Abbey Café, networking and an information session.

For the past two years, the meeting has been a monthly staple for members of San Diego’s GLBT leadership, politicians and candidates, and for organizations collaborating with The Center. Information presented at the Community Coalition breakfasts over the past year has made audiences aware of important issues affecting San Diego’s GLBT community.

The Community Coalition Lunch takes place on the third Friday of every month. ASL interpretation will be provided upon request. Requests must be sent to AJ Davis at adavis@thecentersd.org at least seven working days before the event. Call (619) 692-2077 ext. 212 for more information.