(This article was originally published HERE in SDGLN media partner Gay San Diego.)

Meeting Jim Byrd, you will first notice his tall lanky body, visible tattoos, soft blue eyes and easy smile, a close-shaven beard with its well-defined chops, and his whispy, but fashionable hair.

Take some time to talk to him and you will expose a kind, funny, unassuming and respectful Southern gentleman who very outwardly adores his mother.

(This story originally appeared HERE in SDGLN media partner Gay San Diego.)

SAN DIEGO -- Leading off the Human Rights Watch Film Festival at Balboa Park’s Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) is the film “Call Me Kuchu,” documenting the struggle of the LGBT community in Uganda through the stories of five activists, including David Kato.

December 2012 brings me full circle as I complete the first year of Profiles in Advocacy, returning to the topic that started it all, the current A. Brad Truax award recipient. I am thrilled that this year’s honoree is both a friend and colleague at University of California, San Diego (UCSD): Teresa Oyos of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) housed on UCSD’s Hillcrest campus.

This is a crazy time of year, as Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s beckon. What’s one of the best things you can do for yourself at this time of year? Perhaps it’s time for a retreat.

You may protest, saying you don’t have the time or money, but check out these three different types of retreats.

The at-home retreat: this won’t cost you any money, and is the easiest type of retreat to pull off. Your only challenge is to actually do it. When you stay home, it’s easy to fall into your familiar routine. You don’t want to do that for your at-home retreat.