An informational and organizational meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 26, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Sunset Temple Grand Hall to identify individuals interested in becoming involved in the national gay political agenda.

HRC is the largest GLBT political organization in the country working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law, and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. In addition, HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations.

San Diego will join New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston and Seattle, as well as 26 other major U.S. cities to help advance the civil rights of the GLBT community.

Experience the power when fair-minded citizens unite for equality. Join HRC staff and local HRC members at this informational meeting. Come learn more and express your opinion about advancing the national gay agenda, as well as supporting local issues most important to you. Major issues that will be discussed are: the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), California Assembly marriage equality bill, the local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act and overturning “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

This will also be an opportunity to have your voices heard about how HRC should function within San Diego to meet the needs of the community.

Sunset Temple Grand Hall is located at 3911 Kansas St. in North Park (behind Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge). To RSVP, e-mail david.paul@hrc.org or visit www.hrcactioncenter.org/actioncenter/events/sandiegomeeting/details.tcl

The city of San Diego is inviting anyone who lives, works or plays along Fourth, Fifth or Sixth avenues in Hillcrest to be part of a special community planning effort. A community workshop has been designed to improve all three avenues from Elm to Washington streets. Issues such as parking, street crossings and bus service are scheduled for discussion at the workshop. The city hopes, through these workshops, to find solutions to these problems and more.

During 2007, the city of San Diego, San Diego Association of Governments, Uptown Partnership and RBF Consulting are developing a plan to improve mobility on these streets. The consultant team will collect and analyze data, develop simulation models, and test alternatives for improving mobility along Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues.

Community members are encouraged to bring questions and concerns to the workshop, as a team of experts will be on hand to address the issues and take community input.

This workshop is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Cathedral, located at 2728 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. Lunch will be included.

The entire planning process is available for review online by visiting www.hillcrestmobilityplan.info. Questions and comments about this workshop can be directed to Marlon Pangilinan, city project manager, at 619-235-5293.

The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego presents “Diva by Diva,” an outrageously funny and over-the-top tribute to the women we love. This musical event has been extended to three performances. The opening show will be held on Saturday, July 28, at 8 p.m., followed by two shows on Sunday, July 29, at 2 and 7 p.m. The concerts will be held at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Campus in La Jolla.

“Of all of the crazy shows we’ve produced over the last 15 years, ‘Diva by Diva’ stands alone as the ‘mother’ of all gay concerts,” says Artistic Director Gary Holt. “You only have to watch this concert to understand why gay men have been captivated for decades by the larger-than-life personas of Judy Garland, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Cher, Patti LaBelle and, of course, Barbra Streisand.”

The Gay Men’s Chorus is proud to welcome special guest star Steve Brinberg performing his internationally known “Simply Barbra.” Featured selections include Josephine Baker’s “J’ai Deux Amours,” the Andrews Sisters’ “Gimme Some Skin,” Bette Midler’s “I’m Beautiful Dammit,” Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and the send-up of Patsy Cline’s “She’s Got Your Picture.” Other featured divas include Karen Carpenter, k.d. lang, Madonna, Aretha Franklin and many others.

Tickets to “Diva by Diva” are on sale now. The evening performances are $35 and the Sunday matinee is $30. Discounts are available for seniors, students, the military and groups of 10 or more. Tickets are available by calling 619-57-GMCSD, online at www.gmcsd.com or from your favorite chorus members. Pre-sale tickets can also be purchased at Obelisk Bookstore, located at 1029 University Ave. in Hillcrest.

Judy and Pepper Lane, who recently appeared on the popular reality show, “Trading Spouses,” will be the featured speakers at the June meeting of the San Diego chapter of Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).

The Lanes, who have been partnered for 20 years, will discuss their experience being the first gay family to appear on the show and the overwhelming feedback they have received from across the nation and world.

According to PFLAG, countless gays, lesbians and their parents have indicated that the show was used as a communication tool to open a dialogue about their lifestyles and, in some cases, to come out to their families.

The Lanes have two children: Cory, 10, whom Judy gave birth to and Pepper adopted, and Shea, 7, whom they adopted together. The couple will also discuss how they handle being out in a generally conservative region like San Diego.

The meeting, to be held on Monday, June 25, will start off with support group sessions, followed by the group’s popular cookie social and conclude with the presentation.

Meetings for PFLAG San Diego are held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, Bard Hall, located at 4190 Front St. in Hillcrest.

Aside from the San Diego group meeting, PFLAG has meetings across the county to provide services to residents in outlying areas. The next Carlsbad PFLAG meeting will be held on Sunday, June 24, at 2 p.m. at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Pilgrim Hall, 2020 Chestnut (corner of Monroe) in Carlsbad. This meeting will consist of a support and information session, where participants share thoughts and experiences relating to the understanding and acceptance of diverse sexual orientation.

Another new support group has recently been added in East County. The Lakeside group will meet at 8778 Cottonwood Ave. in Lakeside at the Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church. The group will meet the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. Please call 858-248-1903 to RSVP. Information about PFLAG San Diego can be found online at www.pflag.org.

On Tuesday, June 5, Brian McCarroll was honored as Volunteer of the Year by Combined Health Agencies for his outstanding contribution to Stepping Stone of San Diego, Inc. Combined Health Agencies is a non-profit federation of 26 member health agencies committed to improving the community’s health by supporting its member agencies through individual and corporate gifts. The agency was founded in 1970.

McCarroll came to Stepping Stone five years ago in need of help and support. Throughout his recovery, he remained active and is currently the residential facility rap-leader. Clients often come with many co-occurring disorders, and McCarroll is able to use his life experience to help guide them on the path of healing.

The California State Senate recently approved legislation that provides relief to domestic partners who paid unexpected, discriminatory property taxes prior to Jan. 1, 2006. SB 559 passed the Senate with a 23-12 vote.

The Fair and Equal Taxation for Surviving Partners Act, which is authored by Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, and sponsored by Equality California, rolls back tax increases for domestic partners who separated or lost a partner before a 2006 law went into effect, protecting them against unfair property reassessments.

“When families are in crisis, the last thing they need to worry about is an increased financial burden, which could force them to lose their home,” said EQCA executive director Geoff Kors. “Before 2006, domestic partners faced undue tax hardships upon the death of their loved one or upon separation. Until there is marriage for same-sex couples in California, the inequalities created by domestic partnerships need to be remedied by legislation like this.”

California law allows certain exemptions from the fair market value reassessment of property upon a change in ownership. Transfers between married spouses, domestic partners, parent and child, and grandparent and grandchild are excluded from reassessment, sheltering them from an increase in tax burden when property changes hands between family members.

Although domestic partners received this tax exemption beginning on Jan. 1, 2006, couples that transferred property prior to that date did not receive the same benefit. Kehoe’s Fair and Equal Taxation for Surviving Partners Act would apply this exemption to registered domestic partners who were wrongly taxed before 2006, ensuring that their property tax bills are adjusted accordingly.

“This legislation ensures that all loving and committed couples are treated fairly and receive equal tax protections,” Kehoe said. “Domestic partners that were vulnerable to costly property tax reassessments deserve relief.”

The Fair and Equal Taxation for Surviving Partners Act, which was drafted by Lambda Legal, will be heard next in Assembly policy committees.

San Diego LGBT Pride has teamed up with the San Diego Padres to present a game event that gives recognition to participants and volunteers of Pride, as well as the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego, which will sing the national anthem at the game.

“Out at the Park” begins at 5:05 p.m., Sunday, July 8, at PETCO Park, where the Padres will take on the Atlanta Braves. Discounted tickets have been made available to the GLBT community on Pride’s Web site, www.sandiegopride.org, and by entering the promo code “PRIDE.”

Hundreds of women will gather June 23 for a day-long festival for LBT women at The Center, 3909 Center St. For more information, visit thecentersd.org/womensfest.php.