San Diego LGBT Pride is looking for three local nonprofit organizations interested in raising funds for themselves by selling water at this summer’s two-day Pride festival, taking place July 30-31.

The water will be sold from three different locations within the festival grounds, which attracts more than 40,000 visitors a year.

“Selling water is a great way for organizations to make a couple thousand dollars, which they get to keep,” said Suanne Pauley, executive director of San Diego LGBT Pride. “It’s just one more way that Pride provides opportunities for the community to get involved in the weekend celebration.”

San Diego Pride presented the fundraising opportunity to the community three years ago. Past participants have included Condoms Now, The Bisexual Forum, Different Strokes, Ebony Pride and Christ Chapel of North Park.

Interested organizations must mail or fax their written proposals to the Pride office by May 15. The mailing address is P.O. Box 34352, San Diego, CA, 92163. The fax number is (619) 260-3096. For more information, call (619) 297-7683 or visit the Pride website.

Being a 40 or 50-year-old gay man often creates a problem; you are too old for the youth groups and not old enough for the senior groups. San Diego now has a group that reaches out to middle-aged men.

Founded last July, Gay and Over 40 is a social group for gay men 40 and over, which meets every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., except on the fourth Wednesday of every month, on the back patio of David’s Coffeehouse, located at 3766 Fifth Ave. At 6:30 p.m., the group gathers on the front patio to socialize – look for the yellow “Gay and Over 40” sign on one of the tables.

On the fourth Wednesday of the month, they meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Movie nights, potlucks, parties and other events are held in private homes. Visitors are welcome. Call Rob at (858) 748-3748 for more information.

Re-invention UK Ltd., a new publishing company specializing in charity anthologies, is seeking submissions for Listen Without Prejudice, a book reflecting on the GLBT experience. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the project will be donated to various HIV/AIDS and human rights charities.

Issues such as coming out, prejudice, the gay scene and HIV/AIDS are a few topics that will be touched upon.

Artists may use whatever choice of medium they wish. The completed book will be a collection of poetry, photography, art and stories, from artists of all calibers and backgrounds.

Re-invention UK Ltd., established in 2004 and based in Chelmsford, Essex, England, and is owned by gay couple Stephen Kuta and Michael Dawe, who have set out to promote freedom of voice and expression through literature and art, regardless of sex, orientation, race and disability.

Closing date for submissions is March 31.

For more information regarding Re-invention UK Ltd. and this project, email listenwithoutprejudice@re-inventionuk.com. Mail submissions to: Listen Without Prejudice; Re-invention UK Ltd.; 42 North Avenue; Chelmsford, Essex; CM1 4JE; England. You may also email in submissions.

Movie fans can cheer on their favorite actor or film of the year while supporting women and film at the San Diego Women Film Foundation Academy Awards Party, taking place Sunday, Feb. 27.

The event will be held from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Thin/Onyx Room, located at 852 Fifth Ave. in downtown San Diego. Participants will enjoy a live plasma screen televised feed of the Oscars, hosted cuisine by local restaurants, one drink ticket, a custom Oscar night gift bag, a VIP pass to Thin/Onyx Room and raffle prizes. Attire is Hollywood glamour.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit the San Diego Women Film Foundation, which brings independent and feature films to San Diego and teaches young women how to make films. The San Diego Women Film Foundation’s purpose is to educate the public about film and encourage women filmmakers in their work. The foundation accomplishes its mission through three activities: the San Diego Girl Film Festival, Divas Direct: Film Workshops for Girls, and film screenings throughout the year.

Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information, contact Renee Herrell at ReneeHerrell@sdgff.org or (858) 531-5390.

VaginaFest, San Diego’s annual health festival for transgender, bisexual and lesbian women, takes place Sunday, March 6, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Bienestar Community Center, located at 3020 North Park Way in San Diego.

The mission of the festival is to provide education concerning the health issues that affect LBT women, and will offer workshops, Pap smears, HIV testing and entertainment throughout the day.

VaginaFest is held to provide information concerning free and low cost health services that are available for women in San Diego. Lesbian, bisexual and transgender women often do not access health services either because they have received mistreatment from providers in the past or because they cannot afford to do so.

The festival is organized every year by community volunteers, and is produced by Vibrant Activist Grrls Invoking National Attention (V.A.G.I.N.A.). VaginaFest is free for participants.

Contact Emily Foster at (619) 675-4750 or email cne658@bust.com for more information.

The next San Diego PFLAG meeting takes place Monday, Feb. 28, at 7:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church. The meeting will begin with support groups, followed by the ever-popular cookie social. Scott Gross, a diversity consultant with training in multi-culturalism, GLBT issues, human relations and conflict resolution, will lead a presentation entitled “Creating Gay/Straight Alliances”.

The First Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 4190 Front St.

The next PFLAG meeting in Carlsbad takes place Sunday, Feb. 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Pilgrim Hall, located at 2020 Chestnut St.

Call the PFLAG helpline at (619) 579-7640 or email info@pflag.com for more information.

San Diego LGBT Pride has begun accepting nominations from the community for its annual awards, which are designed to honor local individuals and organizations that have made a positive impact on San Diego’s GLBT community.

Award recipients will be publicly introduced at Pride’s Spirit of Stonewall Rally, scheduled for July 29. The rally will mark the start of San Diego Pride’s 31st annual celebration, which continues on July 30 and 31 under the theme: “Equal Rights! No More, No Less!”

This year’s award categories are:

Champion(s) of Pride – An individual or couple who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the GLBT community over an extended period of years, or who has made an exceptional contribution over the past year.

Friend(s) of the Year – An individual or couple who does not identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, but who has supported the GLBT community over an extended period of years or the past year.

Stonewall Service Award – A group or organization, which may or may not identify as GLBT, but which has greatly supported the community over a sustained period of time or the past year.

Community Service – An individual or couple who is recognized as an up-and-coming leader within the GLBT community, or whose contributions to the community over the past year carried significant impact.

The nomination forms are available on Pride’s website, as well as at The Center or by calling or visiting the Pride office, located at 1807 Robinson St., Suite 106. The Pride office number is (619) 297-7683. The deadline for submissions is March 31.

The office is also accepting written suggestions for prospective grand marshals, which can be included on the main nomination forms.

For more information about the nomination process or volunteer opportunities, contact the Pride office.