Hosted by “NYPD Blue” actor Bill Brochtrup, “In the Life’s” July installment features a new brand of superheroes — comic book heroes who fight to protect gays and lesbians. Men in Tights, the lead story, covers the often-controversial emergence of GLBT characters and concerns in mainstream comics, including Marvel Comics’ The Rawhide Kid and DC Comics’ Green Lantern.

In Polar Pioneers, “ITL” features celebrated lesbian polar explorer Ann Bancroft and her expedition partner, Liv Arnesen. With the use of Internet technology, Ann and Liv take schoolchildren from around the world with them as they strive to become the first women to trek across Antarctica.

Real to Reel: Ruthie & Connie features Oscar-nominated director Deborah Dickson’s documentary about two Jewish women from Brooklyn, Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz, who, in middle age, fell in love with one another and became passionate activists to defend their relationship.

In Conduct Unbecoming “ITL” reports on the policy that prevents gays and lesbians from serving in the armed forces and considers the consequences of “don’t ask, don’t tell” to service members’ unit cohesion, morale and safety. Check local listings for channel and showtimes.

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? 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!

Bourbon Street is thanking Wal-Mart for its recent decision to extend its anti-discrimination policy to include gay and lesbian workers (see story, page 26). During July, customers are encouraged to exchange their Wal-Mart receipts for a dollar off any beverage order at Bourbon Street.

“This is a landmark decision that benefits the entire gay community and Wal-Mart employees,” said Bourbon Street Owner Tom Felkner. “We want to thank Wal-Mart and show them that this move makes good economic sense as well.”

Bourbon Street will accept Wal-Mart receipts for the entire month of July. At the end of the month, Bourbon Street will count the dollar amounts of the receipts and present Wal-Mart the grand total. Receipts collected in the first few days are already approaching the $1,000 mark. Bourbon Street is located at 4612 Park Blvd. in University Heights.

Current Affairs Bookstore will present a discussion/book signing with author and medical marijuana advocate, Ed Rosenthal. Rosenthal will be reading from and signing his new book, Why Marijuana Should Be Legal, on Thursday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m. Rosenthal was facing 20 years in prison on federal drug charges that stemmed from cultivating cannabis for chronically ill patients. He spent one day in jail. Rosenthal’s case is a challenge by federal prosecutors to California’s Compassionate Use Act (Prop. 215), a 1996 voter referendum that made the cultivation, possession and consumption of medical marijuana legal in California with a doctor’s recommendation. Since the act did not provide for the distribution of medical cannabis, several California cities, including Oakland, have passed ordinances that authorize growers and distributors to meet this need.

Why Marijuana Should Be Legal analyzes the effects of marijuana and marijuana laws on society. The event is free. Current Affairs is located at 2536 University Ave. in North Park For more information, call (619) 795-9899.

This month’s San Diego LGBT Pride Spirit of Stonewall rally will offer an exotic twist with a half-hour show presented by the Kaleo’ Onalani Polynesian Dancers. The locally based group, which competes in dance events throughout the U.S., features live drummers and traditional costumes. The rally, which kicks off San Diego LGBT Pride weekend each year, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., July 25, at the historic Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.

Sharing the stage will be guest speaker Lorri L. Jean, the former executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Other speakers include this year’s parade grand marshals — retired NFL Player Esera Tualo, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and Jess San Roque of the Asian Pacific Islanders Community AIDS Project. This year’s slate of Pride award winners will also be introduced during the event. For more information, call the Pride office at (619) 297-7683.

On Saturday, July 19, the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of the LGBT Community Center will host a fundraiser in the “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 in Hillcrest, 1010 University Avenue.

Art displays will feature Goddess jewelry, ceramic art, photography, grrl zines, drawings and paintings in several mixed medias. 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. The WRC at The Center is working to provide cultural events and referrals for healthcare and community resources to LBT women and their allies within a safe, female-friendly environment. Artists and performers are still being sought. To participate, call (619) 692-2077, ext. 206 or show up early at the event.

Real Individuals Seeking Expression (RISE) presents a free networking artist forum on the first Wednesday of each month. All are invited to participate and learn more. RISE works to create an awareness and appreciation of GLBT art and artists. For more information, e-mail RiseArtSD@yahoo.com.

San Diego’s oldest GLBT student scholarship program, administered by the Imperial Court de San Diego Inc., has announced that official applications for 2003 scholarships are now available. Founded in 1979 by Nicole Murray-Ramirez, the scholarship has issued over $170,000 worth of grants to qualified GLBT students in San Diego County. City Commissioner Julia Legaspi, 2003 chair of the Imperial Court’s GLBT Student Scholarship, has announced that the 2003 recipients will be presented on Aug. 2, 2003, at the historic U. S. Grant Hotel. Applications are now available at the GLBT Center, the Hillcrest Youth Center and Bienestar, or by calling (619) 692-1967, (858) 693-1143 or (619) 397-7603. Deadline for submission of applications is June 27, 2003.