Gays in Comics panel discussion: Comic-Con returns to San Diego, with plenty of GLBT activities. For example, the panel discussion Gays In Comics: Crossfire, will convenes from 5:30-7:00 p.m. today in room 16AB of the San Diego Convention Center. With gay characters/themes more prevalent in comics today, this panel will look at how to best make the characters and stories well-rounded? Moderator Joan Hilty (DC editor) will run this feisty panel that includes Phil Jimenez (New X-Men), Jose Villarrubia (Alan Moore’s Mirror of Love), Denise Sudell (Sequential Tart), Marc Andreyko (Sam & Twitch), and Robert Rodi (Elektra). Tomorrow catch Gays In Comics: Sweet Sixteenth Panel, from 5:30-7:00 p.m., in room 16AB. Though Marvel and DC are both featuring gay characters and storylines, this panel asks where the GLBT comics are in the rest of the field. Finally, cap the weekend off by heading to the Gay Comic Fan Reception & Party, 7:00-8:00 p.m. tomorrow, in room 16AB — your chance to socialize with other GLBT or open-minded fans and creators!

Something different: Join Samurai Comics and Vinyl Elements from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. for a night of live mural art by Jim Mahfood and Scott Morse, booze and funky beats brought to you by the Vinyl Elements. All art will be on sale at the end of the night. DJs include Jersan, Red Sonya, SkuTech, Knottyboy and Frizz, all for only a $5 cover. All the action will be at the Honey Beehive at 14th and C, downtown.

Speak Truth to Power: Tonight at 7:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4190 Front St., Looking Glass Theatre presents a dramatic reading of the Ariel Dorfman play Speak Truth To Power: Voices From Beyond The Dark. Hear the actual words of these defenders of human rights while their portraits (by Pulitzer Prize winner Eddie Adams) are projected on a screen above the reader’s heads. Call (619) 298-9978.

Art and more: The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of The Center will host a fundraiser as part of their “Become Part of the WE” series of art and culture events. The event will be held at the Joyce Beers Community Center in the Uptown Shopping District, 1010 University Avenue, tonight from 5:00-9:00 p.m. The art displays will feature Goddess jewelry, ceramic art, photography, grrl zines, drawings and paintings in several media. Performances scheduled to date include poetry, fiction, and music. Art displays begin at 5:00 p.m. and performances will run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A sliding scale donation of $2-$15 is appreciated, but patrons are welcome to donate more. Artists and performers are still being sought. For more information or to participate, call (619) 692-2077, ext. 206, or show up early to the event.

Spectacle alert: Tonight’s your last chance to see Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA at the San Diego Civic Theatre. It’s a musical bursting with contemporary energy that tells of the love triangle between Aida, a Nubian princess stolen from her country, Amneris, an Egyptian princess, and Radames, the soldier they both love. Based on Verdi’s opera, AIDA is an epic and classic tale of love, loyalty, betrayal, and courage, with an exhilarating Tony and Grammy Award-winning score by Elton John and Tim Rice, their first collaboration since writing the music for “The Lion King” together. The Civic Theatre is at 202 C St., downtown. Call (619) 570-1100.

Don’t miss this: Experience India.Arie at Humphrey’s by the Bay, tonight at 8:00 p.m. She’s not the average girl from a video; her worth is not determined by the price of her clothes. Hear all about it from her own lips. A cross between Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, if you must have a comparison, India.Arie is a smooth, soulful, funky groovemaster with a voice like honey and lemon. Humphrey’s is located at 2241 Shelter Island, Point Loma. Call (619) 523-1010.

Vamp alert: “When I’m good, I’m very good,” Mae West said with a wink, “but when I’m bad, I’m better.” Dirty Blonde is a hybrid comedy that is part Mae West docu-drama, part love story and part vaudeville. The play follows Jo, an aspiring actress, who admires West for her determination to beat the odds. She, along with two male cast members, regales audiences with re-enactments of the turns of West’s showbiz career in a celebration of Mae West’s independence and bravely bawdy spirit. Dirty Blonde features stage and screen star Kathy Najimy as Jo, who will play the role through Aug. 24. See Dirty Blonde tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. For more information, call (619) 231-1941.

Yes, officer: During his career as a police officer in the LAPD, Sgt. Mitchell Grobeson (Sgt. Mitch) faced the worst kind of homophobia, and had his life threatened and endangered by his fellow officers. Sgt. Mitch’s indomitable spirit and compassion enabled him to take a stand against injustice and become the LAPD’s first openly gay officer. Following the publicity from his groundbreaking lawsuit against the LAPD’s discriminatory practices, Sgt. Mitch created the first formal support group for Southern California gay and lesbian law enforcement, fire, rescue and paramedic professionals. Sgt. Mitch also formed and hosted the first statewide and national conference of gay officers in California. Sgt. Mitch has written a book about his experiences, which he will discuss and sign tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Current Affairs Bookstore, 2536 University Ave., Hillcrest. For more information, call (619) 795-9899

Pride kickoff: Ono Sushi and Jim McInnis of One Source Realty host the GSDBA Charitable Foundation Scholarship presentations at 4:00 p.m. and the GSDBA Pride Mixer at 5:00 p.m. at Ono Sushi, 1236 University Ave.