Somehow I missed the movie Stonewall which came out in 2015, until this week! It chronicles the Stonewall riots of 1969 and what led up to them. In it, a small town boy is outed at his high school, ostracized from his family and escapes to Christopher Street in New York City. There he meets Marsha P. Johnson, and the rest is, as we say, history.
The fictionalized account shows the brutality of the police during that era, the alliances made and how our community finally had enough. The rage boiled over into the riots. The uprising shattered the culture of silence and shame around being LGBTQ and shifted our movement to loud, public resistance.
The Second National March on Washington in 1987 galvanized those in our community who were protesting the Supreme Court’s 1986 decision to uphold criminal sodomy laws and to bring visibility to the AIDS crisis. Activists unfurled the first AIDS quilts, forcing our nation and the government to see the epidemic on nightly news and in the headlines.
Out of that protest came the first National Coming Out Day in 1988. It has provided many with the courage to do our own version of coming out. I was living “life in a Northern town” in Michigan during that time, turning 30 and still not out to family nor friends. My connection to others “like me” was our gay and lesbian radio group called “Friends of Dorothy” started by KGAY’s Chris Shebel. Each month, Chris mailed a newsletter to us with news of those of us in our closeted society. We knew that being out could mean the end to our careers in radio.
Within a couple of years, I had the courage to come out to my family. I wrote a letter to mom and dad, mailed it off and waited for the consequences. It was time. Instead, I received a phone call with them crying — not with anger or hostility — but with the pain knowing I held this secret for so long and that I couldn’t tell them. I was very lucky and am grateful that my parents accepted me.
We think that coming out is much easier today. And because of representation in media, LGBTQ role models like politicians and activists, it is. But there are still stories like the young man in Stonewall of rejection and even violence against those who dare to expose their true selves. We celebrate National Coming Out Day this weekend knowing that so many have come before us to help pave the way for a better world.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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Head Trip Festival
On Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11, the Empire Polo Club is the site of Head Trip, an all‑day electronic music festival produced by Goldenvoice. The inaugural lineup features major artists including Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, Fisher + Chris Lake, Dom Dolla b2b Kettama, Peggy Gou b2b Four Tet, and Seth Troxler b2b Ben Sterling. With top‑tier talent and a massive festival setting, Head Trip marks a bold new addition to the desert’s music festival landscape. More info
Joshua Tree Music Festival
The Joshua Tree Music Festival’s Fall Edition runs from Thursday–Sunday, October 8–11, offering four days and nights of live music, movement, mindfulness, and desert magic. Held at Joshua Tree Lake Campground, the festival features artists including Cure for Paranoia, Ácido Pantera, The Breaks, Southern Avenue, Elias Alexander, Jimetta Rose and the VOC, and Future Joy. With three rotating stages, over 100 playshops, Kidsville, visual art, and the Healing Oasis, this community‑centric event delivers a continuous, family‑friendly experience. More info
Pineapple P*rn Disco T‑Dance and Pool Party
The Sonoran Palm Springs turns up the heat on Sunday, October 11 from 1–6 pm with the Pineapple P*rn Disco T‑Dance and Pool Party, a fundraiser supporting Pineapple Support and its mental‑health services for members of the adult industry. Presented by Falcon | NakedSword and Mr. Man, the afternoon brings a soaked disco vibe with beats by MODGIRL and appearances from stars including Ryan Orion, Zac Barrett, Heath Halo, Sean Xavier, Paolo Bruni, and Trenton Ducati. More info
People
In the new exhibit People, Impell Gallery presents four artists—Barbara Griffin, Richard Fox, Karen Stein, and Jody Levinson—each exploring unique interpretations of people through different mediums. The exhibition is open Saturday, October 10 from 2–6 pm with a reception, and Sunday, October 11 from 2–4 pm. Located at The Lofts Art District, the show offers a whimsical and unexpected look at how artists see and portray human subjects. More info
The Purple Room : Anthony Nunziata, The Judy Show!
At the Purple Room, Anthony Nunziata: Romance from Italy to Broadway takes the stage Friday and Saturday, October 9 and 10, with dinner at 6 pm and show at 8 pm. Nunziata blends Italian arias, Broadway drama, jazz standards, and original songs into an inspiring concert filled with soaring vocals and heartfelt storytelling. A classically trained singer and entertainer, he brings humor, emotion, and undeniable charm to every performance. On Sunday, October 11, The Judy Show! lights up the Purple Room with dinner at 5 pm and show at 7 pm. Michael Holmes channels Judy Garland in a high‑camp, comedic musical tribute featuring glamorous costumes, razor‑sharp wit, and surprise appearances from icons like Carol Channing, Mae West, Bette Davis, and more. More info
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs October 9–24, presented by THE BENT. Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize‑winning masterpiece holds deep significance for LGBTQ+ audiences, exploring repressed homosexuality, internalized homophobia, and the destructive nature of the closet. This production highlights the hidden desire between Brick and Skipper, offering a fresh interpretation of Williams’ groundbreaking work. More info
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs October 9–18 at Palm Canyon Theatre, bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved musical to life with humor, heart, and choreography. This family‑friendly production celebrates resilience, forgiveness, and the power of dreams through colorful characters and a score that has charmed audiences for decades. More info
Native Painting, Ritual and Resilience in the 20th Century
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum has unveiled A Beauty That Endures, a sweeping new exhibition curated by Tony Abeyta (Diné/Navajo) featuring more than 50 masterworks of 20th‑century American Indian painting. Spanning tribal traditions and artistic lineages shaped by boarding schools and mission institutions, the show highlights the resilience, innovation, and cultural continuity expressed through Native painters across the century. Running through May 30, 2027, this landmark exhibition offers a powerful look at ritual, identity, and the enduring influence of Native art in America. More info
Kick Bullying to the Curb Wellness Festival
Boo2Bullying brings its fourth annual Kick Bullying to the Curb Wellness Festival to Palm Springs Power Stadium on Saturday, October 10 from 4–8 pm, a free family event focused on youth wellness, inclusion, and community connection. The afternoon features the Wellness Village, music by DJ ACE BOOM, California Mobile Zoo, KONA ICE, face painting by Rainbow Sparkz Circus, and a performance by the Palm Springs High School Cheer Squad. At 6 pm, the Celebrity Kickball Game takes the field with local leaders, youth groups, and first responders. The festival also includes the Teens Off Your Screens™ Recognition Ceremony honoring James Workman Middle School. More info
Mx. Pineapple Cabaret
The 6th annual Mx. Pineapple Cabaret returns Saturday, October 10 from 7–10 pm at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs. Hosted by Sister Roma and Ana Foxxx, with music by Chi Chi LaRue, the night features performances by Brian Justin Crum, Ethylina Canne, Vanity Halston, Pippi Lovestocking, and surprise guests. General admission is free, and proceeds from reserved seating support Pineapple Support, providing free mental‑health services for online adult industry workers—over 70% of whom identify as LGBTQ. More info
Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ
Every Sunday at 2:30–4:30 pm, The Social Cafe & Lounge hosts Burgers, Boys & Brews, a backyard‑style cookout featuring fresh‑grilled burgers, hot dogs, sides, bottomless mimosas, bottomless draft beer, and live male entertainment. Come for great music, cold drinks, and a lively crowd ready for a fun, all‑inclusive brunch experience. More info
Books, Films and Then Some
On Sunday, October 11 from 3–7 pm, the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents Books, Films and Then Some, a two‑part event recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Dwarfism Advocacy Month. At 3 pm, memoirist Emily Rapp Black joins Corey Roskin for a conversation about her newest book, I Would Die If I Were You, followed by a craft activity. At 6 pm, screenings of Veronica and Buttinskis lead into a panel with Selene Luna, Taryn Manning, John T. Stapleton, and Christophe Zajac‑Denek. More info
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Original Cast Spooktacular
On Sunday, October 11 from 7:30–9:30 pm, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre hosts The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Film) / Original Cast Spooktacular with Nell Campbell. Fans can enjoy a new 4K restoration, live shadow cast, audience participation, and a costume contest. VIP ticket holders meet Nell Campbell—Columbia herself—for photos and autographs, with doors opening at 6 pm. It’s a spirited, interactive celebration of a cult classic. More info
It’s Final Round Voting Time — Best of CV
CV Independent’s Best of Coachella Valley 2026–2027 final voting round is now underway, and this is your chance to help crown the winners across the valley’s most‑loved radio stations, personalities, DJs (and many more categories). Thank you for showing us the love already with a strong nomination phase! Our finalists include KGAY 103.1 and Sunny 106.5 for Best Radio Station; John Taylor, E.J. Tyler and Patrick Evans for Best Local Radio Personality; and the dynamic DJ trio — DJ Galaxy, DJ Eric Ornelas, and MODGIRL — for Best Local DJ. Voting continues through Friday, October 23, so cast your vote and help celebrate your favorites in this year’s Best of Coachella Valley! Vote Today
- Hush-Hush: Vintage Halloween Variety Show of the Highest Class and Caliber • Vocalist Bobbi DeCarlo leads a haunting midcentury revue filled with swing music, comedy, and burlesque on Friday from 7–8:30 pm at Spirit Animal inside Hotel Zoso.
- Billy L’Amour & The Love Notes • This cabaret performance reimagines hits from music icons who died at age 27—Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Amy Winehouse—on Friday from 7–9 pm at Spirit Animal inside Hotel Zoso.
- Hitchcock Retrospective: Psycho (1960) • Film lovers can view director Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic horror masterpiece starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, and Vera Miles on Friday from 7–10 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center.
- Brit Floyd – The Moon, The Wall, and Beyond • Musical director Damian Darlington leads this tribute band in replicating Pink Floyd’s soundscapes and laser displays on Friday from 8–11 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.
- Paint El Paseo Pink • Community supporters unite to raise funds for the Desert Cancer Foundation during an inspirational walk on Saturday at 7:30 am along El Paseo.
- 10th Annual Memorial Ride & Rally • Community members gather to honor fallen officers Lesley Zerebny and Gil Vega with a memorial ceremony and country music tribute on Saturday at 10 am in Downtown Palm Springs Park. The gathering features a police-escorted motorcycle ride, food trucks, and a beer garden.
- Palm Springs Modern Committee Architectural Preservation Awards • Recognize achievements in midcentury desert modernism preservation on Saturday from 6–9 pm at Palm Springs Art Museum.
- Burtonlesque: A Tim Burton Experience • Dance troupe Dirty Little Secrets performs a darkly whimsical burlesque tribute inspired by filmmaker Tim Burton on Saturday from 6–9 pm at Spirit Animal inside Hotel Zoso. Guests will enjoy gothic glamour, campy characters, and dark humor in this adult variety show.
- Unbuttoned: A Boylesque Social Experience • Dancer Michael Silas, former performer for Lady Gaga, presents a bold boylesque performance on Saturday from 7–8:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge.
- Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays • Instructor Rob Ollander-Krane teaches a beginner two-step lesson before open country-western dancing on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio.
- Bylines Film Series: The Insider • The true-story journalism drama screening is followed by a panel discussion on Sunday from 3–5:30 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center. Presented by the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation, the film explores whistleblowing and corporate ethics.
- Charged Stillness Exhibition • Local artist Tina Roy showcases vivid paintings reflecting the beauty, drama, and delicate ecosystems of the wild desert from through October 29 at Rubine Red Gallery.
- A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit • An intergenerational group of artists explores esoteric knowledge, witchcraft, and spiritual traditions in a compelling exhibit on view through October 18 at Palm Springs Art Museum.
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SAY KGAY to Save on Rivalry Merch
Ride the Heated Rivalry wave with a fresh batch of themed T‑shirts now available through the Pride Store. Some designs rep your favorite fictional teams from the show, while others turn up the temperature with bolder, more provocative takes. Pick your style, show your fandom, and save 10% storewide at checkout with promo code SAYKGAY – Shop Now
Visitor Map & Guide – FREE!
Check out the latest 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 to Dine & Sip, Shop, find Attractions, Massage & Spa, Nightlife, Drag Shows, and more, all curated to make exploring the valley even easier. Look for the latest edition at 300+ businesses and newsstands around town, as well as at hotels, visitor centers, and participating sponsors, or view it online.
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!
- Joshua Tree Music Festival
Oct 8–11 at Joshua Tree Lake Campground - People, an exhibition of four artists
Oct 8–11 at Impell Gallery - Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Oct 9–18 at Palm Canyon Theatre - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, presented by THE BENT
Oct 9–24 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Perez Art District: 4th Friday and 2nd Saturday Art Walk
Sat. Oct 10 from 11 am–3 pm and Fri. Oct 23 from 4–7 pm - Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ
Sundays from 2:30–4:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge - October at The Purple Room
Live Entertainment Tue-Thu, Dinner Shows Fri–Sun - October at the McCallum Theatre
Diverse world-class Broadway productions, music, dance, and comedy. - Modernism Week – October 2026
Oct 15–18 at various locations - Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
Oct 15–31 at Revolution Stage Company - KGAY Out & About at Nola at Escena
Thu. Oct 15 from 4–6 pm - Palm Springs Modernism Show
Fri.–Sun. Oct 16–18 at Palm Springs Convention Center - Palm Springs Pride Walk
Sat. Oct 17 at 8:30 am in the Arenas District & Downtown Palm Springs - Randy Rainbow: National Freakin’ Treasure
Sat. Oct 17 at 8 pm and Sun. Oct 18 at 7 pm at McCallum Theatre - Naked Yoga | By the Legendary Photographer Michael Childers
Fri.–Sun. Oct 23–25 at Stephen Baumbach Gallery - REAF House Party PS – Pride in Paradise 2
Sat. Oct 24 from 5–8 pm at a private home in Andreas Hills - & Juliet
Oct 27–Nov 1 at McCallum Theatre - PS Leather Pride | 2026 Valhalla
Oct 29–Nov 1 at Hotel Zoso, CCBC, Dick’s, The Eagle, Toolshed - Halloween Palm Springs 2026
Fri. & Sat. Oct 30 & 31 in the Arenas District - La Bola Negra
Starting Oct 30 at Festival Theaters - 25th HRC Palm Springs Coachella Valley Garden Party
Sat. Nov 7 from 1:30–4:30 pm at the Dinah Shore Estate - Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival
Nov 20–22 in Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage
KGAY 103.1 FM
The KGAY 103.1 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their nonstop 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 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 103.1 online
🎧 This Weekend: MODGIRL & DJ Galaxy bring their energy to two big Palm Springs sets this weekend: MODGIRL spins on Friday, October 9 at 7 pm with Lola After Dark at Lola Rose Grand Mezze, while at the same time, DJ Galaxy will be at HooDoo Lounge at the Hyatt in downtown Palm Springs. MODGIRL is back on Sunday, October 11 at 1 pm for the P*rn Disco Tea Dance Pool Party at The Sonoran, delivering sun‑soaked beats and high‑vibe momentum to one of the weekend’s splashiest events.
We would be truly honored by your nomination in the Desert Sun’s Best of Desert Community’s Choice Awards!
Radio Station-Local: KGAY 103.1
Radio Personality/Show: John Taylor
DJ-Event/Wedding: DJ Galaxy, Eric Ornelas, or MODGIRL
Thank you for your consideration! Nominate Today
Sunny 106.5 FM
Take the sunshine indoors with the Sunny 106.5 Alexa skill — just tell Alexa to “enable Sunny Palm Springs Radio skill” and the brightest variety will be one voice command away at home or at work. Sunny 106.5 is the Coachella Valley’s new home for feel‑good hits from the ’90s, 2000s, and beyond, blending familiar favorites with local updates and weekday weather from Patrick Evans. Play Sunny 106.5 Online
We would be honored if you nominated Sunny in the Desert Sun’s Best of Desert Community’s Choice Awards! (Radio Station-Local: Sunny 106.5 FM and Radio Personality/Show, either EJ Tyler or Patrick Evans) Thank you for your consideration! Nominate Today
Join the Sunny 106.5 Lucky Duck Club and get access to secret contests, sweet offers, surprises and more! Lucky Duck Members get insider perks and first dibs on exciting station events — it’s free, easy, and full of rewards for Sunny listeners. 👉 Sign up now
MeTV 92.1 FM
MeTV FM is officially back on the Coachella Valley dial — and there’s never been a better time to tune in. Broadcasting from Palm Springs, 92.1 MeTV FM delivers a “radio gold mine” of timeless, memorable music you won’t hear anywhere else: over 3,500 songs, more than 350 played every day with no repeats. From deep tracks to softer favorites spanning the ’50s through the ’80s, plus themed shows and beloved classics, this one‑of‑a‑kind format is ready to soundtrack your day.
- Modernism Week October Guide: Tours, Dining, Architecture & Events
- Palm Springs Pride Announces 2026 Headliners Aubrey O’Day and The Cowgays
- LGBTQ Candidates Running for U.S. House and Senate in 2026
- Coachella Valley Media Hall of Fame Announces 2027 Inductees
- How to Spend 72 Hours in Palm Springs: Points Hotels, Dining & Attractions
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 2026-27 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY over the air, stream it [here], or listen on iHeart Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-G-A-Y” 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.
This Way Out, the award‑winning weekly LGBTQ radio program, airs every Sunday at 6:30 a.m. on KGAY 103.1 and is also available on‑demand via our streaming player under Menu>Streams>Podcasts. As the only internationally distributed LGBTQ radio show, it airs on about 200 community stations worldwide and delivers global queer news, reporting, interviews, and cultural features.
