The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 19), authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee on April 26 with a 6-3 vote. Sponsored by Equality California, AB 19 ensures equal treatment under the law by allowing same-sex couples to marry in California while continuing to guarantee religious freedom.

“America was founded on the concept of separation of church and state, with the guarantee that religious freedom will be respected and the state will treat all people equally in the eyes of the law,” Assemblymember Leno said during the bill’s hearing. “AB 19 puts that fundamental right into practice.”

Alice Huffman, president of the California State Convention of the NAACP, said, “California cannot have an honest discussion about civil rights without talking about gay and lesbian rights. Both movements have a place in history as the NAACP stands tall with the gay and lesbian community.”

AB 19 follows last year’s historic vote when the committee became the first in the country to pass a marriage equality bill without a court order. There are now 200 organizations from varying communities in support of marriage equality. Assemblymembers Jones, Evans, Laird, Levine, Lieber and Montañez voted in favor of the bill, and Assemblymembers Harman, Haynes and Leslie voted against it.

San Diego LGBT Pride is now accepting applications for this summer’s parade and festival. The deadline for securing booth space at the two-day festival in Balboa Park is June 10. Applications for entering into the parade are due by July 15.

The applications can be downloaded from San Diego Pride’s Web site – visit San Diego News Briefs online for a link – or they can be obtained through the Pride office, located at 1807 Robinson St., Suite 106. Special discounted rates for nonprofit organizations are available.

“The sooner parade marchers turn in their applications, the better chance they have of landing spots toward the front,” said Suanne Pauley, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride. The parade, which last year drew nearly 200 contingents and floats, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., July 30. The festival will be held on July 30 and 31.

Sponsorship bids for this year’s celebration are also being accepted through the Pride office.

Additionally, Youth Pride is scheduled for May 13 and 14 at World Beat Center, located at 2100 Park Blvd. in Balboa Park. This year’s theme is “Operation Queer Freedom – Seeking Weapons of Mass Acceptance.”

For more information or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, call the Pride office at (619) 297-7683.

Seeking to prevent violence both inflicted on and by children and adolescents, the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute (FVSAI) at the California School for Professional Psychology will sponsor “Violence in the World of Our Youth: Partners in Prevention,” taking place Thursday, May 5, through Saturday, May 7, at the Town & Country Hotel.

This third annual conference will bring experts in youth violence intervention and prevention together with advocates for change from all over the United States. Presenters will discuss topics ranging from preventing school violence, teen fathers, girls and gangs, date rape, bullying and youth anger management.

“We hope this sparks professionals, front-line educators, youth service providers and organizations to begin having an effective change on the lives of youth involved in violence,” said Dr. Robert Geffner, conference director and president of the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute. “We will continue to work to ensure that young people have a safe home and school environment, that they are not placed in abusive situations by any person, family member or organization, and that they have access to resources and support that will encourage and sustain growth and positive change. Together, we can work to end youth violence.”

A morning session will focus on a successful “Teen Court” where first-time, non-violent, juvenile offenders are tried by a jury of their peers and agree to accept a binding sentence. San Diego’s Teen Court trains students to serve as jurors, bailiffs, attorneys and clerks for juvenile sentencing hearings.

James Madero Ph.D., a CSPP faculty member and an expert on preventing school violence, will join CSPP faculty member Tarane Sondoozi, Psy.D. to discuss the scope of school violence, its warning signs and how to assess them.

The official opening of the conference features a keynote youth panel and two keynote speakers. Among the 16 sessions that day are workshops on martial arts therapy and preventing teen dating violence. The day closes with a youth dance and talent show.

Email fvconf@alliant.edu for more information about the conference, or call (858) 623-2777 ext. 451 for more information about the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute.

On Saturday, May 7, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Alice “Lefty” Hohlmayer will share memories of the glorious, heady days of summer when women played professional baseball at an event in support of The Women’s History Museum’s summer membership drive.

Hohlmayer was truly in a “league of her own,” as one of the best-known and accomplished veterans of the World War II-era All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. In 1948, she pitched 42 scoreless innings and once got a hit off the great Satchel Paige in an All Star game.

Additionally, Hohlmayer will talk about how the women of the AAGBL had to adapt from girl’s softball to baseball’s 80-foot baselines with nine players instead of 10, their grueling on-the-road schedules and humorous anecdotes of how they still managed to live up to society’s feminine ideals, complete with skirts and make-up worn on and off the field.

The multi-media event will feature rarely-seen footage, video clips of A League of Their Own, the 1992 film that Hohlmayer served as a consultant for.

Admission is $15 general and $10 for members. New museum members who join at the door will receive free admission to the event.

The Women’s History Museum and Educational Center is located at 2323 Broadway, Suite 107. For more information, call (619) 233-7963.

San Diego Youth Pride will hold its third annual celebration May 13 and 14 at the World Beat Center, located at 2100 Park Blvd. in Balboa Park. This year’s theme is “Operation Queer Freedom – Seeking Weapons of Mass Acceptance.”

The program features a free “Family OUTing” event from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, geared for GLBT youth and their parents, guardians and teachers, featuring live entertainment and youth-produced theater pieces, food, games and speakers.

The San Diego Youth Pride festival will be held on Saturday, May 14, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. The free festival is restricted to youth ages 14-24, though adults may attend for a portion of the event as a guest of a youth. Live performers at the festival include Alicia Champion, Devin Wood, The New Dadaists and Figment. Carnival attractions, resource vendors and an awards ceremony will also be featured.

For more information, call (619) 297-7683.

On Monday, May 23, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., The Center will host a community-wide forum on crystal methamphetamine.

Dr. Neva Chauppette will give a one-hour presentation, followed by 30 minutes for questions and answers. Chauppette is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Los Angeles who has extensive experience and expertise in developing services for substance users.

Sponsors for the community forum include: The Center, the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council, Stepping Stone, Dignity San Diego, County of San Diego Public Health Services, UCSD LGBT Resource Center, Special Delivery San Diego, Front Runners, Mama’s Kitchen, AVER, Jewish Family Services, San Diego LGBT Pride, San Diego Democratic Club, PFLAG, Priority Pharmacy, Being Alive and The EDGE Research Project at UCSD.

For more information, call (619) 692-2077 ext. 212.