Gay-marriage debate

Wednesday, March 10, come hear a debate sponsored by University of San Francisco Sociology and Women's Studies Departments, USF Peace and Justice Coalition, and USF Alliance over the recent actions taken by the city and county of San Francisco to wed same-sex couples. Jeffrey Ventrella, an attorney representing the plaintiffs against the city, the Alliance Defense Fund, local lawmakers, and USF sociology professors debate. 6-8 p.m., University of San Francisco, McClaren Hall, Rooms 250-251, 2130 Fulton, S.F. (415) 422-8853.

Revolutionary verse

Wednesday, March 10, Maryam Habibian screens her film "Young Revolutionary Poet of Tehran," which documents the life and work of Forugh Farrokhzad, a Tehranian poet who wrote about the oppression of Persian women. 8:15-9:15 p.m., City College of San Francisco, Ocean Ave. Campus, Rosenberg Library and Learning Resource Center, Room 305, 50 Phelan, S.F. Free. (415) 239-3850.

Child advocacy training

Thursday, March 11, join San Franciscans for Children and Youth in its monthly Parent Empowerment series, in which parents across the city meet to learn how to influence local government on issues effecting youth. 6 p.m., Coleman Advocates, 459 Vienna, S.F. Free. For child care, RSVP (415) 239-0161, ext. 12.

Discuss Muni service cuts

Thursday, March 11, the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council meets to discuss the proposed cuts in Muni service. Muni representative Peter Straus, Rescue Muni member Andrew Sullivan, and residents of the neighborhood participate in the panel. 7 p.m., Park Branch Library, 1883 Page, S.F. (415) 437-1948.

'CounterPunch' rant

Friday, March 12, the coeditors of political newsletter CounterPunch, Alexander Cockburn and Jeffrey St. Clair, give a presentation titled "Bush and Kerry, a Dime's Worth of Difference?" in typical caustic fashion. 7 p.m., Walden Pond Books, 3316 Grand, Oakl. Free. (510) 832-4438.

Speak up for gay marriage

Saturday, March 13, attend a gay-marriage media training organized by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The workshop helps recently married same-sex couples learn to access the media and develop interviewing techniques. 1-5 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. Free. RSVP (323) 634-2011 or gutierrez@glaad.org.

Stop urban sprawl

Saturday, March 13, come to a one-day summit, "Energizing Communities: Starving Sprawl," at the seventh annual Bay Area Meeting on Transportation and Sprawl. Participants brainstorm five-year plans for the Transportation and Land Use Coalition. Sen. Barbara Boxer is this year's keynote speaker and 280 activists, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and public agency representatives also participate. Organizers provide breakfast, lunch, and materials. 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (registration 8:30 a.m.), Laney College Forum, 900 Fallon, Oakl. $10. (510) 740-3140, www.transcoalition.org.

Beyond chaos

Sunday, March 14, this year's theme and title of the fourth annual Anarchist Theory Conference, sponsored by Students of Theory and Research and Development, is "Organization: Beyond False Dichotomies." Come discuss sustainable ways of organizing. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., UC Berkeley, Valley Life Sciences Building, second floor, Berk. Free (donations accepted). (415) 661-7459.

Black power women

Sunday, March 14, famed civil rights activists Mabel Williams and Kathleen Cleaver speak about their individual roles in the struggle of African Americans for freedom and equality from the 1950s to '70s. The Freedom Archives, EastSide Arts Alliance, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Hard Knock Radio, and other community groups sponsor this speaking engagement. 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison, Oakl. $5-$10 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 863-9977.

March the march

Sunday, March 15, join student activists in a march on the state capital to protest Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's cuts to Proposition 98 funding. The $2 million in cuts amounts to significant tuition fee hikes for community college students, no money for new student outreach in the California State University system, a 20 percent reduction in financial aid for the University of California system, and cuts for K-12 schools. Last year's march protesting Gray Davis's far less severe cuts garnered around 10,000 people. Gather 10 a.m., march 10:45 a.m., Raley Field, 400 Ballpark Dr., West Sacramento; rally noon-2 p.m., steps of the State Capitol Bldg., 10th Street and L, Sacramento. For rides (space limited), call Students for Supporting Students, (415) 239-3660.

HIV vaccine update

Sunday, March 14, Jennifer Sarche of the San Francisco Department of Public Health will give an information session on HIV vaccines and research studies after the regular meeting of the Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays support group. A Spanish-speaking facilitator leads one such group. 2-4 p.m., St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church, S.F. (415) 921-8850.

Talk about the 'Passion'

Sunday, March 14, attend an in-depth and peaceful talk on Mel Gibson's controversial blockbuster The Passion of the Christ. The forum explores the New Testament Gospels, conservative politicization by right-wing Christians of these texts, and anti-Semitism. University of Creation Spirituality president Rev. Matthew Fox, Tikkun editor Rabbi Michael Lerner, and other theologians speak at this event sponsored by Tikkun. 3-6 p.m., University of San Francisco, McClaren Hall Auditorium, 2130 Fulton, S.F. (510) 644-1200.

Peace activist memorial

Tuesday, March 16, peace and Palestinian rights activist Rachel Corrie died under a U.S.-made Israeli bulldozer while opposing the destruction of Palestinian homes in Gaza. Dennis Bernstein of KPFA's Flashpoints, Bishara Costandi of Arabs Building Community, and Jon Jackson and Brian Avery of International Solidarity Movement lead this ISM-sponsored memorial. Share your poems, thoughts, and words. 7 p.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar, Berk. Donations accepted. (510) 236-4250.

Take back the media

Tuesday, March 16, San Francisco Gray Panthers host "Breaking the Media Blockage," a report by Henry Kroll of KQED's newsroom on the National Media Reform Conference in Madison, Wis., which discussed strategies for reversing media conglomeration. 12:30-3 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Center, 1187 Franklin, S.F. Free. (415) 552-8800.

Mail items for Alerts to the Bay Guardian Building, 135 Mississippi St., S.F., CA 94107; fax to (415) 255-8762; or e-mail alerts@sfbg.com. Please include a contact telephone number. Items must be received at least one week prior to publication date. Call (415) 255-3100, ext. 573, for more information. For more events, see the Benefits listings in the Calendar section.