We start this #PalmSpringsPride weekend with an ongoing “Disturbance in the Force” as we await final election results. Congrats to our re-elected city officials in Palm Springs – Lisa Middleton and Christie Holstege! The presidential race overshadowed many other importance races and initiatives in this year of the bizarre and unexpected.
It’s been quite a week, and we cover it in this week’s #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast. I think of this quote and hope that the forces of good outweigh those of evil…
“The Force is not a power you have. It’s not about lifting rocks. It’s the energy between all things, a tension, a balance, that binds the universe together.”
“Okay. But what is it?“―Luke Skywalker and Rey
Enough of the Star Wars philosophy! We have a Virtual Pride to celebrate! Our full list of events is found below. And if you were hoping for a Pool Party or Rave-style bar party, those have been cancelled – due to “impending inclement weather”. (Yes, outside promoters were planning large gatherings during a pandemic!)
We’ve just inked a deal with Alexander Rodriquez to host our All Ages Men’s Virtual Speed Dating event in November. Shann Carr will host the women’s event in November and we have other Fun & Games Zoom gatherings safely planned for the rest of the month. Watch this space and our Events page for details.
You’ll see our “We Stand with the LGBTQ Community” signs at merchants, restaurants and other places throughout the city. Be sure to support our local businesses who show their support of us. And tell them how much you appreciate their commitment.
However you celebrate our muted Pride this year, do so with conviction, with a smile (and a mask) on your face, and don’t forget our slogan this year: Exist! Resist! Persist!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
Palm Springs Pride: Light Up the Night
Palm Springs Pride is this weekend, November 6–8, and Gay Desert Guide invites you to participate in our Light Up the Night display and contest by decorating your home or business with pink or rainbow lights. The best display could win you air travel for two on Alaska Airlines and other great prizes. So get your pink or rainbow lights today and start planning your display! Have it ready to show off by Friday night and upload the photo of your display on our Facebook page. More info
Palm Springs Pride and Trio have joined forces to provide a Pride Party Pack To Go, Pride-themed beverage kits with mixers and Pride swag included! Order online [here] for curbside pickup November 4–6.
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 70
Join John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr and Brad Fuhr from GayDesertGuide.com for SEASON 2 EPISODE 70! It’s packed with #ILoveGayPalmSprings goodness! Nino Eilets, editor of TheStandardPS.com previews the November issue [Read it online here]. Pandemic support group leader Dr. Laura Rush updates us on the challenges we face with the pandemic. Palm Springs City Council members Lisa Middleton and Geoff Kors talk elections, politics and new ways to get involved for good! Singer Sweet Baby J’ai from the PalmSpringsWomensJazzFestival.
**Use discount code GDG10 to save 10% when you order from our podcast sponsor Out & About CBD.**
** Desert AIDS Project Offers Free At-Home HIV Tests: [Get Yours] **
Palm Springs Pride Flag Raising
The Palm Springs Pride Flag will be raised on Friday, November 6 at 10:00 a.m. Watch a live stream of our elected officials and civic leaders speak about what Pride means to the City of Palm Springs. Virtually cheer on and witness the unfurling the giant rainbow from the top of iconic buildings across the city. Rainbow flags, symbolic of both the unity and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community will fly throughout the city and remind the world that everyone is supported, embraced, and welcome in Palm Springs. More info
Palm Springs Pride Virtual 5K Run & Walk
Palm Springs Front Runners & Walkers present The Palm Springs Pride Virtual 5K Run & Walk for 2020, all Pride Weekend. With this virtual run, you choose your own 5K route and run or walk anytime on Pride Weekend: November 6–8. Don’t let 2020 go by without our annual Pride Run & Walk and the opportunity to raise needed funds for our amazing beneficiary – the LGBT Community Center of the Desert. More info
In case you missed it: Craig Ramsay, Fitness Expert, Author, TV Host, and recent transplant to Palm Springs appeared on the I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast to talk about his involvement with this weekend’s Pride 5K Run & Walk! [Check it out here]
Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shabbat
People of all faith communities are invited to join the Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m. This pluralistic online prayer service with a core of Jewish liturgy will include song, ancient poetry, contemporary readings and meditation led by members of local clergy. Presented by Or Hamidbar PS, United Methodist Church of Palm Springs, Restaurant BLOOM IN THE PARK, Hope Palm Springs, Saint Gilles Catholic Community, and Palm Springs Pride. More info
“Cured” at the Drive-In
Celebrate Greater Palm Springs Pride as Nissan presents CURED on Friday, November 6 at 5:30 p.m. Five years in the making, CURED illuminates a pivotal yet largely unknown chapter in the struggle for LGBTQ equality: the campaign that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses. Before this momentous 1973 decision, the medical establishment viewed every gay and lesbian person as diseased and in need of a cure. Business and government used the mental-illness classification to justify discrimination and bigotry. As long as lesbians and gay men were “sick,” progress toward equality was nearly impossible. More info
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Lesbo Expo Night at Pride Drive-In
Lesbo Expo, The Palm Springs Cultural Center, and Greater Palm Springs Pride present a Double-Feature Drive-In on Saturday, November 7 starting at 5:30 p.m. AHEAD OF THE CURVE is the story of one of the most influential women in lesbian history you’ve never heard of and the impact her work continues to have today. Growing up, Francis “Franco” Stevens never saw any representation of queer women–she didn’t even know it was possible for a woman to be gay. When she realized she was a lesbian, it changed the course of her life. EXIST, PERSIST, RESIST & THRIVE is a community film focusing on queer women/lesbians. Produced by Lesbo Expo Presents, directed by Shann Carr and Marnie Navarro, the film strives to present visibility, creativity, and community for the Pride community and beyond. Featuring entertainers you love, commentary, funny stuff, and all the creativity the women’s community has to offer. More info
Virtual Pride Tea Dance
KGAY 106.5 presents your own private Tea Dance at home with DJ Galaxy on Sunday, November 8 at 4:00 p.m. Dance away to his unique set of today’s hits, throwback jams, and custom remixes on a virtual dance floor hosted by Twitch. More info
Pride Window Contest
Main Street Palm Springs’ Pride Window Design and Display Contest runs from November 2–9, where restaurants, hotels, retail, and service businesses are encouraged to create unique Pride-related displays in their windows that will be visible from the street. Judging will take place via an online community poll. More info
From “Cabaret” to Today: An LGBTQ+ Tour of Berlin
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept and TheMenEvent.com present a Virtual LGBTQ+ Tour of Berlin on Sunday, November 8 at 11:00 a.m. on Zoom. Come and join Brendan Nash for a virtual tour of Europe’s queer Mecca, from the Isherwood years (and before) to today. Isherwood’s Berlin Stories became widely known through the musical/movie Cabaret. The city had the first gay rights organization in the world, the first center for LGBTQ studies, and a plethora of bars catering to a freewheeling sexual culture that is alive and well today. Get tickets
Saturday Wine Tasting at Bouschet
The Bouschet Boys and crew invite you to their Saturday Wine Tasting, which has a new start time: Saturday, November 7 at 4:00 p.m. to go along with their new in-person outdoor pavilion seating (available by reservation).They are also doing their regular VirtuREAL tasting via zoom if you prefer to do curbside pickup or receive your wine samples and gourmet food sampling via home delivery. This week’s focus: Wines of the Pacific Northwest. More info
LOOKING AHEAD
Modernism Week Planning New and Old Favorites for 2021
Modernism Week is tentatively planning a variety of new and favorite events as both in-person and online programs for February 11–21, 2021. Tickets for in-person activities will go on sale Friday, January 1, 2021 at noon PST. Tickets for on-line events will go on sale Monday, February 1, 2021 at noon PST. In-person events will likely include architectural walking tours, home tours, garden and driving tours, and more. All ‘live’ events will follow established public health protocols and observe social distancing. Read more
The Economic Future of the Coachella Valley
A free webinar series from the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Palm Springs Life, and SBEMP Attorneys continues on Wednesday, November 11 at 2:00 p.m. to explore the question of how the Coachella Valley will bounce back from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This installment, “Governance,” presents one valley, nine cities, five tribal governments, and one pandemic: Lauri Aylaian (City of Palm Desert) and Jeff Grubbe (Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians) discuss how local governments can work together to lift the entire region. More info
Virtual Events at The Center
Looking for connection in this time of self-isolation? The LGBT Center of the Desert continues to connect people, using the technology of group-meeting platform Zoom, which you can use on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Here’s just a taste of the programs they are hosting:
Social Caring in the Face of Quarantine with Alexis Ortega – Mondays at 11:00 a.m.
Zumba for Beginners with Shaun Samaro – Mondays at 10:00 a.m.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Conversational Spanish with Guillermo Biro – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.
Prostate Cancer Support Group – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.
Trans Tuesdays with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.
Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson – Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Men’s Chat with Stuart Huggins – Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Making Connections During COVID: Men’s Discussion Group with Arlen Keith Leight, LCSW, Ph.D
1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]
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- 2021 Palm Springs International Film Festival is Canceled
Pinocchio in the Desert is a favorite among visitors and locals alike, and their relaxing bistro setting with outdoor patio is heated, air cooled, and appropriately distanced for Sunday brunch, breakfast, or lunch. If you haven’t already, pick up our HOT DEAL: Get $25 of food and drink at Pinocchio in the Desert for just $17.50! That’s a savings of 30%! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Destination PSP, Bouschet, Il Giardino, Runway, Peepa’s, Johannes, Dickey’s, and more! See All Deals