The 29th annual Nicky Awards, the leading community awards in San Diego’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, takes place this Sunday, May 15, at the Westin Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego. Each year the awards recognize outstanding community and business members in the GLBT and allied communities.

The Nicky Awards is a fundraiser for selected local charities recognized by the IRS as non-profit organizations. This year’s beneficiaries are the Asian Pacific Islander Community AIDS Project (APICAP), Equality California (EQCA), the Human Dignity Foundation and the Imperial Court de San Diego.

“I’m really excited and happy that we have an event such as the Nicky Awards to honor members within our community,” said Jess San Roque, president of the 2005 Nicky Awards Board of Governors.

One of this year’s three Board of Governors’ Award recipients is St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Rev. Scott Eric Richardson. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the seat of the Episcopal Diocese in San Diego, agreed to hold the funeral of local, openly gay bar owner John McCusker March 18 after San Diego Bishop Robert Brom of the Roman Catholic Diocese forbade all 98 churches and chapels in the diocese from performing McCusker’s funeral rites.

“We feel very privileged to receive the award, all the clergy and people here at St. Paul’s Cathedral,” said Rev. David Norgard, associate for stewardship and development at St. Paul’s Cathedral. “We were very glad to be of service to the McCusker family during their time of need. We can say that it’s our philosophy here to extend hospitality to anyone and everyone.”

Over 500 people attended the funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Bishop Brom later apologized to McCusker’s family and offered to preside at a Mass in memory of John McCusker at Immaculata Catholic Church at the University of San Diego, McCusker’s alma mater.

Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden will also receive a Board of Governors’ Award for his long history of community and political involvement. In 2003 he became the United State’s first openly gay African-American mayor.

Oden’s private-sector experience has focused on education and social issues. He has served on the board of directors for the United Way of the Desert and Coachella Valley Counseling. Prior to being elected mayor, Oden served as a Palm Springs City Council member for nine years.

The Board of Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Vertez Burks, a 20-year San Diego resident with early involvement in GLBT rights. In 1988, she participated in The Names Project’s national tour. Burks was a former co-chair of San Diego LGBT Pride and was also involved in LIFE Lobby, where she represented The Center and the San Diego Democratic Club as an advocate for GLBT rights in Sacramento.

This year’s co-emcees are Fox 6 News’ Maria Arecega-Dunn and KSWB 5’s Dave Carlin.

The entertainment lineup for the evening includes Robin Tyler; one of the earliest openly gay comics in the U.S., and Van Loo Productions, who perform cirque-style entertainment. The Latin and salsa dance duo Angel and Tulane Rivera will also perform.

Tickets are $50 advance, $60 at the door and $80 VIP. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Jess San Roque at (619) 229-2822.