Congratulations to Jimmy Boegle of CV Independent, one of 400 local newsrooms around North America that has received a $5,000 grant from the Facebook Journalism Project, in partnership with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and Local Media Association, to help them continue their reporting on the coronavirus crisis. We are sharing the CV Independent’s Daily Digest of COVID-19 news, updated every day [here].
Yesterday brought Easter and a little comic relief from me and the #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcasters Shann Carr & John Taylor.  If you missed the Easter Mask Contest, you can view it on Facebook HERE. I trust you are sheltering in place and finding new ways to stay entertained.  And as things change daily, we’re covering it all at GayDesertGuide.LGBT.
We’re sad to report that the Red Dress/Dress Red Party has been cancelled. We’ve had a few other event updates and those are reflected on our site. Â We’re also updating Carryout and delivery restaurant lists on a regular basis so check out our Dine & Sip section for the latest LGBTQ friendly places to support!
Share this with your friends and thanks for your support of GayDesertGuide.LGBT.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
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Town Hall with Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts a special dial-in town hall meeting with Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. Assemblymember Garcia will be offering updates on legislation and the State’s efforts in relation to the current COVID-19 emergency. To register, please click [HERE].
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 40
Host John Taylor and comedian Shann Carr are joined by Dr. Laura Rush for an informative discussion on Palm Springs pandemic response. Gay social media guru Davey Wavey talks about how his erotic site Himeros.TV is adapting to the new normal. CV Independent editor Jimmy Boegle keeps us updated with timely and useful information. Gay Desert Guide’s Brad Fuhr and Desert Business Association’s David Powell seek solutions for businesses facing unprecedented upheaval in Palm Springs. Plus a “Take Out/Shout Out” to our local restaurants who are still cooking up great meals! [Listen Here] or [Watch Here]
In Case You Missed It – Easter Mask Pageant
If you weren’t able to watch the #ILoveGayPalm Springs Live Zoom Easter Mask Pageant on Sunday, or would like to re-live the fun, check out the recording on Facebook for creative masks and Easter bonnets, fun prizes, and lots of laughs! View here
Local Volunteer Opportunities During COVID-19
Looking to contribute a few hours of your time to help the community get through these challenging times? Check out this article with various options for plugging in and helping out, from making masks to food pantry distribution. Learn moreÂ
Flex Together with Diane Ross
Mizell Senior Center is proud to be one of the first senior centers to produce a segment for the online exercise website, FlexTogether.com. Diane Ross will give you your fix of healthy movement. Sign in and select “cardio” to see Diane’s instruction of moves that should be familiar if you’ve been to Fit After Fifty class at the center. Best part, it’s free! Visit FlexTogether.com.
Virtual Cinema at Palm Springs Cultural Center
The team at the Palm Springs Cultural Center has been working hard to create a way for you to enjoy their curated programming via Virtual Cinema, which gives you the ability to view new films that are Palm Springs premieres, along with favorites from film festivals in the comfort of your own home. Get your V-Ticket
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 – Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Chair Yoga with Lynn Simonson – Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
Knit Together with Doug Morris – Monday & Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Virtual Games, Friends and Fun with Lorenzo Taylor – Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Happy Hour with Among Friends
Join Among Friends on Thursdays from 5:00–7:00 p.m. for a Virtual Happy Hour on cam, using Zoom. Make your own cocktail and get on cam (or just watch) to connect and play games like “pineapple” and the famous Among Friends card game. Don’t know what those are? Join in and find out! More info
ShortFest Spotlight
The Palm Springs International Film Society’s ShortFest is providing free material for your escaping pleasure. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday they are adding to their curated collection of short films available to stream from their site (like “Stay Close,” the underdog story of a fencer from Brooklyn who overcomes a gauntlet of hardships on the road to the Olympics, pictured here). Watch here
Zoom Virtual Backgrounds from GPS and HRC
Chances are, you’re doing a whole lot more “Zooming” these days, for work, with friends, and with organized groups. You can use the “virtual background” feature of Zoom to insert the background of your choice, and if you’d like some beautiful shots of the Greater Palm Springs area to set the scene, the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau has you covered with several options [here]. If you’d like to show your LGBTQ Pride, HRC has some backgrounds [here] for you too!
LOOKING AHEAD
Save the Date: NCLR 2020 Virtual Celebration
While the NCLR’s planned Anniversary Celebration for May 30 will not look exactly as it had been originally envision, the celebration will go on virtually, on a livestream on the same date with the same inspiration and love. The virtual gala will be a dynamic, engaging, and participatory Anniversary Celebration and a chance to connect with new NCLR Executive Director Imani Rupert-Gordon. More info
Red Dress Dress Red 2020 Canceled, to Return in 2021
The LGBT Center of the Desert has announced that the Red Dress Dress Red Party 2020, first postponed from March to May of this year, has been officially canceled for this year. Mark your calendar, however, because the date for the next Red Dress Dress Red Party 2021 is planned for Saturday, March 20, 2021. In the meantime, to celebrate the spirit of Red Dress this year, they are planning a live Virtual Dance Party on Saturday, May 16 at 8:00 p.m. with music by DJ Galaxy. More info