The secret identity aspect of a superhero is the perfect metaphor to describe the thousands of members of the GLBT community who have been in the closet or are, for one reason or another, forced to keep their sexual orientation a secret. It is no wonder so many of us in the GLBT community can identify with comic books and have grown to love their heroines. For the superhero and comic lover in all of us, Comic-Con International is back in San Diego this Thursday, July 14, through Sunday, July 17.

A non-profit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, Comic-Con is the largest gathering of comic book, movie, television and pop culture professionals in the United States. Taking place at the San Diego Convention Center, Comic-Con features the hottest comics, toys, games, movie memorabilia and more, plus hundreds of hours of programming and panel presentations, including special previews of upcoming movies and appearances by Clive barker, Beau Bridges, The Rock, Charlize Theron, Rob Zombie and many more.

This year’s Comic-Con will also feature a special panel tailored for the GLBT community, titled “Gays in Comics: Infinite Pride,” on Saturday, July 15, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. With the rise of sexual-minority characters in mainstream comics as well as GLBT creators, this panel showcases some fascinating creators and their insight. Joining moderator Andy Mangels (Star Trek, He-Man DVD documentaries) are Andersen Gabrych (Detective Comics, film actor), Allan Heinberg (Young Avengers, “The O.C.”), Ivan Velez, Jr. (Tales of the Closet, Ghost Rider), Jaime Hernandez (Love & Rockets), Sean-Z (Myth), Vincent J. Roth (Surge of Power) and Paige Braddock (Jane’s World). Stick around after the panel for an hour-long gay comics fan mixer/social located in room 6A.

Prism Comics (booth #5560 at Comic-Con), a non-profit organization that advocates for greater inclusion of GLBT characters and creators in the comic book industry, will be participating in a variety of social events taking place in San Diego in conjunction with Comic-Con, and everyone is invited. Rich’s will be hosting a superhero party Friday, July 15, from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., featuring “Joe Boy” artist Joe Phillips, painted go-go boys, a costume contest, giveaways and popular emcee Rich Andreoli. Cover charge is $10, but a discount will be given to people showing a Comic-Con badge. On Saturday, July 16, from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., head to Bourbon Street for their no-cover “Hard Heroes: San Diego.” This event will also be a fund-raiser for Prism Comics, with a portion of the bar proceeds going to benefit the non-profit organization. Hosted by The Sisters of the Asylum of The Tortured Heart, the party will feature a costume contest, raffles and body painting.

Comic-Con takes place Thursday, July 14, through Sunday, July 17, at the San Diego Convention Center located at 111 Harbor Dr. Hours are Thu.-Sat., 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 13, is Preview Night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., and is for four-day pre-registered members only.

For more information about San Diego Comic-Con International, visit this article at www.gaylesbiantimes.com for a link to their Web site.