Dismantling DEI. It just hit home and our bottom line as we were canceled on Thursday from promoting Visit Lauderdale and their LGBTQ+ travel initiatives.
We have partnered with Visit Lauderdale for many years and you may note that they were major sponsors of Palm Springs Pride. While I cannot confirm whether or not that sponsorship is affected, we were given notice to immediately stop all advertising for the destination.
I have reached out to their PR representatives, but as of this writing have not received a response. In a telephone conversation, the reason given had to do with a legislative mandate in the state canceling all D.E.I. related initiatives with fines and penalties for non-compliance. While it’s a loss of revenue for us, it’s also another “death by a thousand cuts” that both the Trump administration and red states are foisting on us.
The other big news this week was the loss of PBS and NPR funding to the tune of over $1 billion dollars. While we are not a public station, we have many friends who do work for their network of stations around the country. $1 billion is a lot to make up in listener and viewer contributions.
We recently had a successful campaign for listeners to #SupportOurStation in order to continue our worldwide streaming services. Losses of revenue from advertisers like Visit Lauderdale are just another validation for what we did to make up for losses. Our tourism-driven economy is in flux and advertising is one of the first cuts a business makes. We hope that this trend doesn’t hold as season starts soon in Palm Springs. I want to remain optimistic in a sea of pessimistic news.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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DJ Galaxy’s 50th Birthday Weekend
Get ready to celebrate DJ Galaxy’s 50th Birthday Weekend! Kicking off the festivities, join DJ Galaxy for a special set on KGAY’s Retro Lunch on Friday, July 18, from 12–1 pm. Later that day, from 4–9 pm, head to Hunters Nightclub for Fur Friday, also featuring DJ Galaxy. The ALL OUT Summer Dance Party takes place on Saturday, July 19 from 7–10 pm at the hot new event space, The 4707. Come dressed in your favorite decades look from the 70s, 80s, 90s, or 2000s and enter the best-dressed contest, with beats by Lollipoppers aka DJ Galaxy! [Get tickets]. Concluding the weekend, Oscar’s World Famous Sunday T-Dance on Sunday, July 20 from 3–7 pm, will have Galaxy back on the turntables, spinning Peace, Pride & Love. All three events feature a food drive benefiting The Center’s Community Food Bank, a testament to Galaxy’s community spirit! More info
San Diego Pride
Celebrate “Unbreakable Pride, Unshakeable Power” at San Diego Pride 2025, the region’s largest civic event and one of the biggest Prides in the U.S. The free parade steps off Saturday, July 19 from 10 am–3 pm in Hillcrest, drawing over 250,000 supporters along a 1.5-mile route. Then, head to Marston Point in Balboa Park for a two-day festival, July 19–20, featuring four stages and more than 100 performers—including Kehlani, Kim Petras, and a dazzling drag extravaganza. Get tickets
Broadway’s Bad Guys: A Cabaret of Mischief
Step into the shadows of musical theatre at Broadway’s Bad Guys, a one-night-only cabaret starring Erik Scott Romney on Friday, July 18 at 7:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. With powerhouse vocals and wicked charm, Romney brings Broadway’s most infamous villains to life—from Jekyll to the Emcee from Cabaret—backed by the dynamic duo of Chip Prince and Bob Marino. Part of the Cabaret À La Carte series, this moody, mischievous revue includes themed cocktails and desserts for a truly immersive night of music and mayhem. (During nearby construction, there’s ample parking across the street at the High School). Get tickets
Nola at Escena Grand Opening
Step into modern desert luxury at the Nola at Escena Grand Opening on Saturday, July 19 from 10 am–2 pm at Escena Golf Club. Explore stunning new single-story home designs in a sleek golf course community, complete with open floor plans, private pools, and elegant architecture—all nestled in scenic Palm Springs. KGAY’s John Taylor will be there, Out and About from 10 am–Noon! Discover your dream home in this stylish, sun-kissed enclave. More info
Gay Wine Weekend
Guests will sip, swirl, and shine at Gay Wine Weekend, returning July 18–20 for three dazzling days of LGBTQ+ celebration in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley and Healdsburg. With new venues, world-class wine, VIP parties, winery tours, a poolside soiree, and the iconic Twilight T-Dance, this unforgettable weekend benefits Face to Face, Sonoma County’s HIV/AIDS Network. Get tickets
Falsettos
Don’t miss Falsettos at Palm Canyon Theatre, running July 11–20, a witty and poignant musical that explores Jewish identity, gender roles, and gay life in the 1970s and ’80s. Centered on Marvin’s journey to reconcile love, family, and self, this Tony-winning show blends humor and heart in a deeply human story of transformation and chosen family. A must-see for fans of bold, emotionally rich theatre. Get tickets
Chris Isaak
Experience the timeless voice of Chris Isaak live on Saturday, July 19 at 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage. With a career spanning four decades and hits like “Wicked Game,” this GRAMMY-nominated icon will bring his signature blend of blues, rock, and romance. Get tickets
Palm Springs Burlesque Night
Turn up the heat at Palm Springs Burlesque Night: Sizzling Summer Edition on Saturday, July 19 from 8–10 pm at Hotel Zoso. Presented by Dirty Little Secrets Burlesque, California’s longest-running troupe, this gender-fluid celebration brings together dazzling showgirls, showboys, and everyone in between for a night of sultry striptease, sharp comedy, and unapologetic glam in the heart of downtown. Get tickets
Palm Springs Library Closing Party
Join the Palm Springs Public Library for a festive send-off at its Renovation Celebration and Closing Party on Saturday, July 19 from 2–4 pm at 300 S. Sunrise Way. Enjoy ice cream, face painting, live broadcasts, and the unveiling of a time capsule as the library prepares to relocate to its temporary home at Rimrock Plaza. The current location will remain open until Friday, August 8 with the new site reopening on Monday, August 25. Come celebrate this exciting new chapter! More info
ALSO THIS WEEKEND
Friday, July 18
Food Truck Fridays | 5–10 pm in Downtown Indio
Saturday, July 19
Animal Samaritans Adoption Event | 11 am–1 pm at Petco in Palm Desert
The Totally Ridiculous Gameshow! | 7 pm at Dietlart Gallery
Country Dance Saturdays: Beginner Waltz with Rob Ollander-Krane | 7 pm at Step by Step
Sunday, July 20
LGBTQIA Higher Powered OA Meeting | 11:30 am at Sunny Dunes Clubhouse
Sunday Stomp Line Dancing | 6–10 pm at Reforma
Guided Hikes | 11 am & 1:30 pm at San Jacinto State Park (Tramway Mountain Station)
Monday, July 21
Kickin’ It For Pride LGBT Kickball Meetup | 6:15–8:15 pm at Adulka Park, Riverside
Love Local Palm Springs
Love Local Palm Springs is back, giving residents and visitors a 50% bonus when they purchase digital gift cards to spend at over 100 local businesses. Whether you’re dining out, shopping for summer reads, or booking a spa day, a $100 card becomes $150 in spending power—perfect for supporting your favorite spots while stretching your budget. Bonus funds are valid through October 31, so grab your card early and show some love to the heart of Palm Springs. Learn more
Get our Free Visitor Map & Guide
Check out our Summer 2025 Edition of the K-Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide! To help you find everything you need as a visitor or local, we feature the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries, and other services. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, or browse it online right here!
Click below to sign up for our Gay Desert Guide Oasis Insiders Newsletter to get our Weekly Blog, Top 3 Events for the weekend, Hot Deals and Cool Events all delivered to your inbox every Friday!
- ALL OUT – A Summer Dance Party
Sat. Jul 19 from 7–10 pm at The 4707 - Nola at Escena – Grand Opening with KGAY Out & About w/John Taylor
Sat. Jul 19 from 10 am–12 pm at Escena Golf Club - Gay Wine Weekend
Jul 18–20 in Russian River Valley & Healdsburg wine region of Sonoma County - Falsettos – Presented by Palm Canyon Theatre
Jul 11–20 - Trans Rights Political Forum to Discuss Executive Order 14168
Thu. Jul 24 from 6–7:30 pm at Mizell Center - Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
Jul 24–Aug 17 at a wide variety of Rancho Mirage restaurants - Cruise Chat with Patrick Evans
Wed. Aug 6 from 4:30–6 pm in Palm Desert - September at the McCallum Theatre
The Righteous Brothers (9/10), Jon Lovitz (9/13), Camila Fernández (9/14) - Pride Under the Pines 2025 – Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now
Sat. Oct 4 in Downtown Idyllwild - Palm Springs Leather Pride 2025 – Gods of Leather
Oct 30–Nov 2 at Hotel Zoso, Tool Shed, CCBC, Hunters
Nola at Escena by Toll Brothers embodies desert elegance with exclusive single-level homes priced from $1.2 million, perfectly positioned near the Escena Golf Club and the sophisticated Escena Lounge & Grill. Discover the gated community of Nola at Escena at a Special Event this Saturday, July 19 from 10 am–noon. John Taylor will be broadcasting live on KGAY from the model home grand opening, located off Vista Chino just east of Gene Autry. Learn more
Ever walk into a room and something feels… off? It’s the lamp shade. Palm Springs Lamp Shades is a new partner, Gay-owned by our friend Matt. It’s packed with more sizes and styles than the big box stores. Designers and decorators already know about Palm Springs Lamp Shades. Now it’s your turn. Visit pslampshades.com or bring your lamp in for a custom fit. Matt will help you find the perfect shade to show it off. Learn more
Paula D. Atkinson, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist, specializing in treating anxiety, depression, and body hatred/food obsession and serving mainly LGBTQ+ clients. She is licensed to practice clinical social work in California, Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland and brings a unique blend of liberation psychology, somatic therapy, expressive arts, transpersonal, queer, and eco-psychological approaches into her practice. Learn more
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM
The KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their high-energy throwback mixes. On Sundays, we put all five hours together for the Retro Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm. Perfect party music! The KGAY 106.5 Sunday Tea Dance with Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). All our DJs took honors in the Best of Coachella Valley this year! Listen to KGAY 106.5 online
THIS WEEKEND: DJ Modgirl brings high-energy vibes to San Diego Pride on Saturday, July 19 at 2 pm—bringing sound, style, and celebration to insideOUT on University Avenue, and of course don’t miss DJ Galaxy’s 50th Birthday Celebration Weekend, with events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
You can WIN TICKETS to Out on the Mountain, the ultimate LGBTQ night at Six Flags Magic Mountain on Friday, August 22 from 6 pm–12 am, courtesy of KGAY 106.5 and 92.1! Experience the thrill of exclusive ride access, high-energy dance parties, and dazzling performances including a DJ set and performances by Kerri Colby from RuPaul’s Drag Race—all in a safe, inclusive space. With over 5,000 attendees expected, this private event supports local LGBTQ organizations and features top attractions like Twisted Colossus, Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, Full Throttle and many more. Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 has your chance to WIN front-row seats to the hilarious and fast-paced Hot Spot Trivia with Deven Green & Handsome Ned! Listen to John Taylor on KGAY every Monday morning for the trivia question, then head to the KGAY Contest Page to enter your answer. Winners get reserved front-row seating in the Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente Casino, where you’ll play digital trivia and compete for exciting prizes! Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
To listen to KGAY Palm Springs via Alexa, say “Alexa ENABLE K. Gay Palm Springs SKILL” (include “SKILL”) or manually enable it in the Alexa app or at Amazon. Once enabled, access the station by saying “Alexa, OPEN,” “LAUNCH,” or “PLAY K. Gay Palm Springs.” You can also make special requests, such as birthday shoutouts or song dedications! Happy streaming! Learn more
103.1 MeTV FM
This Weekend on 103.1 MeTV FM: Tune in Sunday at 9 am as Steve Goddard celebrates the Women of Motown—featuring Diana Ross & The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas, Gladys Knight & The Pips, and Mary Wells—brought to you by The Skylark Bar at the Skylark Hotel. 103.1 MeTV FM plays a variety of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s with a touch of the ’50s! Listen in your car, at work, at home or around the world, online at 1031metvfm.com or tell Alexa, “Open 103.1 MeTV FM.”
Find out what’s happening on any given day by browsing our Gay Desert Guide Online Event Listing Calendar, and for the big picture, take a look at major upcoming events in our 2025 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY 106.5 and 92.1 over the air, stream it [here], or listen on iHeart Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-GAY 106 5 .” John Taylor is on mornings 6–10 am and program director Chris Shebel is on afternoons. Our Retro Lunch with DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas is heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm, followed by Modgirl spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.