Openly gay, Tucson-based author Eric Cuestas-Thompson will launch his first novel, Burn, with an appearance at Borders Books in downtown San Diego. The book is an erotic, psychological thriller centered around ten men and women — each with a twisted and secret passion — whose lives collide with devastating intensity. Burn begins with a massive explosion that destroys a mental health clinic and kills several people. The novel then jumps back two weeks in time and shadows the lives of the ten men and women present at the disaster. Initially, most of them are strangers. However, their lives immediately begin to intersect with powerful and devastating consequences.

Eric Cuestas-Thompson is a bilingual therapist in private practice in Tucson. He will appear at Borders for a signing/discussion group Sunday, July 13, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Find Borders at 668 6th Ave., downtown.

The Mautner Project is seeking Black lesbian and bisexual women age 18 and older to participate in the first comprehensive national survey of African-American lesbian health. The “Spirit Study” is designed, implemented, and evaluated by African-American lesbians and draws on partnerships with national and community-based organizations serving Black women who partner with women. Spirit Study outreach is being conducted throughout the country, with support from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Founded in 1990, the Mautner Project’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of women who partner with women and their families.

The Spirit Study is completely confidential. Participants may complete the survey at their convenience online at www.spiritstudy.org or can request copies by phoning (202) 332-5536 or maiing Spirit Study, 1707 L Street NW, Suite 230, Washington, DC, 20036.

The Center and District 3 Council member Toni Atkins will partner to host the first ever GLBT Community Coalition Breakfast on July 18. The breakfast, to be held the third Friday of every month thereafter, is designed to bring San Diego’s GLBT and GLBT-friendly communities together. The mission of The GLBT Community Coalition Breakfast is to bring together fair-minded individuals to network, educate and discuss the diverse issues that concern GLBT community members, allied neighbors and San Diego citizens. The inaugural breakfast, taking place in The Center’s auditorium, will focus on the importance of community collaboration and coalition building. Longtime community activist and Equality California state

Co-chair Nicole Murray-Ramirez conceived of the idea for a GLBT community breakfast. Murray-Ramirez will offer a brief historical perspective at the beginning of this event.

The first GLBT Community Coalition Breakfast starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18. The cost is $6 per person and includes breakfast, a panel presentation, a Q&A and open networking. The Center is located at 3909 Center Street in Hillcrest. For more information, contact AJ Davis-DeFeo at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212.

The Golden State Peace Officers Association, which represents hundreds of gay and lesbian members of public safety in California, will be hosting its annual Pigs in Paradise weekend gathering, July 25-27 in Palm Springs. Over 100 police officers, sheriffs, paramedics and firefighters from nine states and three countries will be in attendance. For more information, e-mail PSCOPNFIREPARTY@aol.com.

Tickets for next month’s San Diego LGBT Pride festival are available at several Hillcrest outlets, along with a new line of merchandise. The festival will be held at Marston Point in Balboa Park, July 26-27. Admission is $12 per day or $18 for a two-day pass. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at Obelisk, Babette Schwartz, Wherehouse Music, Rainbow Road, North Park Postal or at the Pride office, 1807 Robinson St., Suite 106. Pride’s 2003 line of merchandise includes T-shirts in several different colors for $10 each, plus tank tops, sweat shirts, hats, dog tags and pins.

Join Ebony Pride Tuesday, July 8, for a spaghetti dinner at the Big Kitchen, 3003 Grape St., from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The cost is $12 per person. This year, purchase a Pride Pass and receive admission for the LGBT Pride festival, Latin Pride and Ebony Pride. For more information, call (619) 269-3245.

For those who recently lost a pet or are considering euthanasia, a pet loss support group will meet Saturday, July 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the San Diego Humane Society. The session, led by Lorri Greene, author and pet bereavement specialist, is open to everyone, ages 12 and up. The cost is $20. Call (619) 299-7012 for more information or to enroll.

San Diego Comic Con is less than a month away (July 17-20), and includes two fabulous Gays In Comics panels and the Gay Comic Fan Reception and Party.

On Friday, July 18, Gays In Comics: Crossfire, convenes from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in room 16AB. As gay characters/themes become more prevalent in comics today, how do we make them more well-rounded? Can we move beyond either hyper-violent or moralistic non-sexual characters? Will the industry want to? Moderator Joan Hilty (DC editor) runs a feisty panel that includes Phil Jimenez (New X-Men), Jose Villarrubia (Alan Moore’s Mirror of Love) and others.

Saturday, July 19, catch Gays In Comics: Sweet Sixteenth Panel, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Room 16AB. Celebrating diversity, Marvel and DC are both featuring gay characters and storylines with increasing frequency. So where are the GLBT comics in the rest of the field? And what do the “Big Two” have planned for the future? Moderator Andy Mangels (Dragon’s Lair) leads a panel, which includes Tristan Crane (How Loathsome), novelist Greg Sanchez (Rainbow Arc of Fire), Joe Palmer (Prism Comics) and a surprise mystery guest!

On Saturday, July 19, head for the Gay Comic Fan Reception & Party, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Room 16AB — your chance to socialize with other GLBT or open-minded fans and creators!

The Lesbian Connection (TLCSD) is offering two events for women in July. The annual picnic has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 13, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Balboa and Juniper St. in Balboa Park. There will be food, games, music, raffle prizes, and more. Donation is $10 per person.

The Pride Dance will be held Friday, July 25, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Quality Resort in Mission Valley. Valerie James will be performing and spinning your favorite dance tunes. Tickets are $20 in advance at Obelisk Bookstore or $25 at the door. For more information, visit www.tlcsd.org.

The Hillcrest Youth Center is now offering “Think Pozitive,” a confidential group where HIV-positive youth (14-24) can support each other. The group will meet every Saturday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Hillcrest Youth Center. For more information, call Jennifer Davis-DeFeo at (619) 497-2920, ext. 113.

A transgender in recovery NA group meets every Thursday, at 7:00 p.m. at Evelyn’s Electrolysis, 3104 5th Ave. For more information, call Ashley at (619) 253-1999.