The San Diego Democratic Club (SDDC) will honor several Democrats at its annual Freedom Banquet, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 30.

The events theme is “Generations United” and refers to years of GLBT activism. The evening reception begins at 6:00 p.m. with the special guest being National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NLGTF) executive director Matt Foreman, and a silent auction is scheduled. The dinner and program will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Foreman has been NGLTF executive director since May 2003 and has worked for GLBT rights for 25 years. During his tenure, the NLGTF’s budget and staff have doubled to more than $9 million and more than 50 people. The organization has awarded upward of $2 million to state and local GLBT organizations.

“Our Freedom Banquet is our opportunity to recognize outstanding people who work to ensure civil rights and opportunities for all through the democratic process,” said Stephen Whitburn, SDDC president. “This year’s honorees span generations, from one award recipient only 21 years old to a couple who have been together for 50 years.”

Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg, D- Los Angeles, will receive the A. Brad Truax Human Rights Award, named after a founder of the SDDC and one of its most influential early presidents. This award, considered the SDDC’s highest honor, is presented to an individual who has made sustained and significant contributions toward the advancement of GLBT rights on a local, state or national level.

Goldberg first entered elected office by unseating an incumbent on the Los Angeles Unified School Board in 1983, becoming the Los Angeles metropolitan area’s first openly GLBT elected official. She held that seat until 1991, serving her last two years as the board’s president.

In 1993, Goldberg was elected to represent Los Angeles’ 13th District, becoming the first openly GLBT person to serve on the L.A. City Council. Goldberg left that seat when she won the election to represent California’s 45th Assembly District in 2000.

Other SDDC members receiving awards include: Jonathan Goetz (J. Douglas Scott Political Action Award), Jerry Butkiewicz (Gloria Steinem Communications Award), Robert Gleason (Eleanor Roosevelt Community Service Award), Mike Kirkeby (R. Steven Pope Award for Volunteerism), and Chuck Cotton and Bud Metzger (Special Recognition Award). Whitburn will present the President’s Award, whose recipient is kept secret until its announcement at the banquet.

City Councilmember and former deputy mayor Toni Atkins – the 2004 recipient of the Truax Award – will serve as master of ceremonies. Honorary chairs include Bruce Abrams and Jennifer LeSar.

Tickets to the dinner are $75 if purchased in advance or as part of a table of 10. Tickets to the dinner and a VIP reception with Foreman and all award recipients are $125, and include priority seating with tables of 10 VIP guests at $1,250.

For reservations, visit www.sddemoclub.org, or contact Larry Baza at (858) 405-9903 or John Brannelly at (619) 957-6434.

The theme for National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, will be “Talk About It.”

The Human Rights Campaign created this year’s theme to encourage GLBT Americans and their straight allies to talk openly and honestly about the lives and the issues GLBT people face under law.

“By being open with the people around us, we begin to change minds and open the hearts of our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors or even the local mailman,” said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. “When you talk about it with the people in your life, you begin to change minds one at a time, and that’s the most lasting kind of change.”

In preparation for National Coming Out Day, HRC is now offering free coming out action kits that include HRC’s Coming Out Guide, their Guide to Living Openly in Your Place of Worship, Coming Out Day posters, balloons and stickers.

The Coming Out Action Kits can be ordered at www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/coming_out_day_kit. The kits will arrive in advance of Oct. 11.

On Oct. 11, thousands of GLBT people and allies will celebrate National Coming Out Day by holding workshops, speak-outs, rallies and other kinds of events all aimed at increasing awareness of the GLBT community.

The Center for Social Support Education (CSSE) is celebrating 10 years with “A Red Carpet Affair” on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre.

The schedule begins with an HIV-testing center that will be open from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. All services are offered free of charge. The testing center will be located on the corner of 29th Street and University Avenue.

The event begins with a celebrity reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. offering food, beverages and photo opportunities in the foyer of the theater. Vanessa A. Williams and Niki Haris will be in attendance to offer their support. Williams is most know for her role in the Showtime television series “Soul Food” and had prominent roles in 1991’s New Jack City and 1992’s Candyman. Haris is a singer, dancer and vocalist best known for her work with Madonna. Most recently, she danced on Madonna’s “Drowned World Tour.”

The celebration concludes with performances in the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Performers include the San Diego Men’s Chorus, a gospel choir and a praise choir. A grand finale featuring all three groups will bring the show to a close.

All proceeds from the event will be used by the CSSE to continue to provide support to those in the San Diego community living with HIV/AIDS.

The Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre is located at 2891 University Ave. Tickets are available for purchase through the North Park Theatre box office and range in price from $75 to $125. For more information, call (619) 325-2773 or visit www.csseonline.org.

The Gay Men’s Relationships and Empowerment Retreat will take place at Angel’s Landing in Julian Oct. 6-8.

The free event is aimed at providing men with tools to make their relationships as safe and healthy as possible.

Activities, discussions and presentations will be led by staff from the Gay Men’s Health Program at Family Health Centers of San Diego. The retreat aims to help participants explore their current or future relationships. It will also demonstrate different types of relationships gay men have with each other, along with health concerns, communication skills and other tools that can increase the success of relationships and dating.

Angel’s Landing is about a two-hour drive from San Diego. Carpooling may be available. Participants are guaranteed their own bed but will share a room with one other person. Spaces are limited and all applications will be considered. For an application, contact the Gay Men’s Health Program at (619) 515-2446 or e-mail gmhp@fhcsd.org.

The San Diego Men’s Chorus will perform aboard the RSVP Halloween week cruise to the Mexican Riviera and local fans will get a chance to see and hear selections from the show at a preview performance held on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the Park Manor Hotel’s Top of the Park, located at 525 Spruce St.

SDMC’s performance will include selections from The Producers, Avenue Q and Rent, as well as pop, country and jazz selections.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres will be served, and tickets are $20. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door on the night of the show. Call (619) 296-SONG or visit www.e-ticketsnow.com to purchase tickets.