Legal rights discussion: The Illinois State Bar Association will host a seminar on protecting the rights of gay and straight unmarried couples on Friday, Dec. 10, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, 301 E. Water St, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Interested persons should contact the Illinois State Bar toll-free at ( 800 ) 252-8908 or visit www.isba.org .
World AIDS Day events: The theme of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, will be 'Women, Girls, HIV & AIDS—Have You Heard Me Today?' The Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph, will host events to commemorate World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. From 1-5 p.m., there will be performances from The School Street Movement, a health fair, The Faces of AIDS Exhibit, and The Names Project Quilt Exhibit. From 5-8 p.m., there will be an awards ceremony featuring the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., as the keynote speaker. Call 1-800-AID-AIDS ( 243-2437 ) . Also, there will be a World AIDS Day candlelight vigil at 8:30 p.m. at Lake View Lutheran Church, 835 W. Addison; contact CaritasChicago@yahoo.com .
Church events: A healing Eucharist will be held at St. Andrew's Chapel of the Saint James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron, at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day. The Rt. Rev. William D. Persell, Bishop of Chicago, will preside. On Nov. 28 at 4 p.m., the AIDS Task Force of Saint James Cathedral will host a program at the same cathedral entitled 'A Presentation of the Empowered Women Educators, Mothers, Clergy and Care Givers.' For more information, call ( 312 ) 787-7360.
Experiences in Africa: Dr. Marge Cohen, the founder of the Women and Children HIV Clinic at Cook County Hospital, will present her experiences with HIV-positive women in Rwanda at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation's World AIDS Day observance on Sunday, December 5, 2004, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at 303 Dodge, Evanston. More information is at www.jrc-evanston.org or by contacting Deborah Wolen, JRC Social Action Committee, at ( 847 ) 869-6947.
AIDS benefit concert: The World AIDS Day Benefit Concert will be held at the United Church of Rogers Park, 1545 W. Morse, Sun., Dec. 5 , 6-7:30 p.m. Terry Powell, a long-time survivor of HIV, will perform contemporary gospel songs. Proceeds from a freewill offering at the concert will benefit Better Existence with HIV ( BEHIV ) , an AIDS organization serving the far north side of Chicago. For more information, contact Stuart Kipnis at BEHIV, ( 847 ) 475-2115.
Chocolate galore: Satisfy your sweet tooth and commemorate World AIDS Day with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's holiday extravaganza World of Chocolate at The Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Call AFC at ( 312 ) 922-2322.
Chicago gay history: On Dec. 11, the Newberry Library is hosting Dr. David K. Johnson for 'Free Speech and the 'Kids of Fairytown',' an examination of how Chicago's gay community emerged in the early twentieth century. Newberry Library is at 60 W. Walton and the presentation starts at 11 a.m. For more information, call ( 312 ) 255-3691.
Alice's Garden: Alice's Garden, at 3524 N. Halsted St., is hosting a cocktail reception on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for its forthcoming neighbor, the Center on Halsted, and top donors to its 2005 Human First benefit gala, which will take place in April. Valhalla wine shop will donate refreshments for the event. Call ( 312 ) 902-6900.
Art exhibit: Gerber/Hart Library, 1127 W. Granville, will host an opening reception for artist Michael Bonfiglio on Sun., Dec. 5, 4-8 p.m. Bonfiglio's exhibit, 'Mary's Christmas,' is a tribute to the artist's late mother. E-mail Gerber/Hart Library at info@gerberhart.org or call ( 773 ) 381-8030 for more information.
High school protest: There will be a public forum on the issue of turning part of Senn High School into a naval academy Dec. 9 at 5:30 at 5244 N. Lakewood Ave., North Shore Baptist Church. Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools will be attending. Check the www.savesenn.org web site for details.
Variety show: The Raw Works, a collective of LGBTQ youth and their allies from across Chicago, will present a show filled with poetry, puppetry, drag, storytelling, song, and skits. The event will take place at Glade Memorial Hall, 2640 W. Altgeld, on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. For more information, e-mail therawworks@comcast.net or call ( 773 ) 472-6469 X422.
Calling all candidates: Gerber/Hart Library, the Midwest's oldest and largest LGBT archives and library, is seeking qualified and committed individuals to serve on its board of directors for 2005. Positions are available as chairs of the grant, annual benefit, fund-raising, and special events committees. For an application, please call Gerber/Hart at ( 773 ) 381-8030.
Overdose prevention training: The Harm Reduction Training Collaborative will present a workshop on opiate overdose prevention and intervention, Dec. 3, 9-5, at 4753 N. Broadway. The trainer will be Sarz Maxwell, M.D. Contact Shira Hassan ( 773 ) 728-0127 for more information.
Interfaith GLBT talk: The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation of Evanston will host 'One Heart. Two Faiths: An Exploration of Interfaith Lesbian and Gay Relationships' on Sun., Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. at 303 Dodge, Evanston. For more info, contact Ian Henzel at ( 847 ) 328-7678 or e-mail info@jrc-evanston.org .