World Pride will take shape in Amsterdam next August. The city that has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights gets its turn to show the world what acceptance looks like. I’m just returning from my trip to the Netherlands where I have been fortunate enough to experience Amsterdam Pride four times now.
Problem is: I tend to get sick as I am now on my return flight. I spent the day after Pride in bed (alone) recovering from a nasty virus that hit some on our cruise ship. My ears want to explode as I travel back. But it was all worth it!
I used some of my convalescing time to watch an important Nat Geo documentary released last June titled “Celebrating Pride From Above”. It explores — via drones — the many ways in which Pride is expressed in countries around the globe. Stunning as the videography is, the facts and subject matters are just as splendid. The Netherlands was the first country to recognize same sex marriage in 2000 and hell hasn’t frozen over yet. Some 38 countries now recognize “gay” marriage but as the documentary showed there are a lot more to change.
I thought it time to watch “MILK” on my flight home as a refresher in how the LGBTQ rights movement came about and progressed during Harvey’s short time on this Earth.
It does give me the proverbial HOPE that Harvey taught us. His perseverance paid off and created a lasting legacy. But the cautionary tale is not lost on us. When Wichita revoked LGBTQ protections, it was exactly 40 years after the Germans lost their civil rights. And the protest that night led by Cleve Jones helped overturn the dangerous Prop 6 which was being pushed by Anita Bryant and her tyrants.
So as we see our institutions and rights taken away at lightning speed by the Trump administration, I want to remain hopeful.
As Harvey is quoted at the end of the film: “it’s about the “us’s” out there. Not only gays, but the Blacks, the Asians, the disabled, the seniors, the us’s. Without hope, the us’s give up – I know you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. So you, and you, and you… You gotta give em’ hope… you gotta give em’ hope!”
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you reside!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis #SupportYourStation
WED: Cruise Chat with Patrick Evans
Join Cruise Chat with Patrick Evans on Wednesday, August 6 from 4:30–6 pm, a free RSVP-only event featuring expert insights on river and ocean cruising, land tours, and exclusive travel deals. Hosted by Victoria Bell (Azamara Cruises), Will Reece (Premier World Discovery), and beloved TV and radio personality Patrick Evans, the evening includes complimentary wine tasting from Portugal, Spain, and Italy, plus light appetizers. Specific location details (in Palm Desert) will be sent upon RSVP. More info
WED: First Wednesday Art Walk at Backstreet Art District
The 1st Wednesday Art Walk @ Backstreet Art District invites exploration of a unique art community. On Wednesday, August 6 from 5–7 pm, this event offers visitors a chance to talk directly with recognized artists, discovering the person behind the art. An amazing assortment of original art—including paintings, ceramics, photography, and jewelry—is available for all tastes and budgets. Many consider Backstreet Art District one of Palm Springs’ best-kept secrets and a top thing to do. More info
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage is in full swing, running through Sunday, August 17—serving up three weeks of sizzling specials and delicious discoveries. With a $10 wristband, available from the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce or participating nonprofits, you’ll unlock exclusive deals at dozens of local restaurants. It’s a win-win: enjoy tasty bites, cool treats, and culinary adventures while supporting vital nonprofit programs across the Coachella Valley. Come hungry and celebrate the season with flavor and community! More info
Modernism Week – October Tickets on Sale Now
Modernism Week – October is just around the corner, running from October 16-19! Tickets are on sale as of August 1 for this four-day celebration of midcentury and modern architecture, art, design, and vintage culture. Don’t miss out on exciting events and tours, including the Premier Double Decker Bus Tour, visits to iconic homes like the Frey House II, and unique experiences such as learning to craft vintage cocktails at Midcentury Mixology. Get tickets
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, August 4
Monday Night Bingo with Bella da Ball | 7–9 pm at the Ace Hotel
Hot Spot Trivia with Deven & Ned | 7–8:30 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Wednesday, August 6
Hot Spot Bingo with Deven & Ned | 7–8:30 pm at Agua Caliente Cathedral City
Thursday, August 7
Carousel Live Retro Music | 7–8:30 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
VillageFest Street Fair | 7–10 pm in Downtown Palm Springs
Friday, Aug 8
Food Truck Fridays | 5–10 pm in Downtown Indio
Saturday, Aug 9
LGBTQIA Higher Powered OA Meeting | 11:30 am at Sunny Dunes Clubhouse
Bariatric Surgery Info w/Bobby Bhasker-Rao, MD | 11:30 am Eisenhower Health Virtual Meeting
Country Dance Saturdays: Booze Cruise Line Dance with Kyle Young | 7 pm at Step by Step
Sunday, Aug 10
Guided Hikes | 11 am & 1:30 pm at San Jacinto State Park (Tramway Mountain Station)
THIS WEEKEND
Splash House Weekend 1
The ultimate summer pool party experience returns to Palm Springs for Splash House Weekend 1, happening Friday–Sunday, August 8–10. Immerse yourself in house music vibes across three incredible resorts (Saguaro, Renaissance, and Riviera) alongside thousands of fellow sun-worshipping and electronic music-loving revelers. Featuring a stellar lineup including ACRAZE, Disco Lines, Eli Brown, San Pacho, TroyBoi, Westend, and more, plus After Hours at the Air Museum with Diplo b2b BLOND:ISH on Friday and WAXTRODA on Saturday. Splash House continues with Weekend 2 from August 15–17. Get tickets
Que Calor Pool Party
Dive into the heat of summer at Que Calor, a bold new pool party experience from SOS Entertainers, happening Saturday, August 9 from 2–7 pm at The Velvet Rope. This high-energy celebration blends music, movement, and radical self-expression in a vibrant, inclusive space that redefines the Palm Springs party scene. Come ready to dance, connect, and make waves. More info
80s Rock Tribute Fest
Crank up the nostalgia at the 80s Rock Tribute Fest on Saturday, August 9 at 6 pm at The Show inside Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. This high-voltage concert features three epic tribute bands—DSB (Journey), INSX (INXS), and WANTED (Bon Jovi)—bringing iconic hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Need You Tonight,” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” to life with spot-on vocals and arena-worthy energy. Get tickets
The Lofts Art Walk
The Lofts Art Walk returns Saturday, August 9 from 4–7 pm at The Lofts Art District, 610 S. Belardo Rd in Palm Springs. Presented year-round on second Saturdays, this vibrant event invites you to explore an eclectic mix of artistic styles—from geometric abstract and screen printing to hyper surrealism and more. Stroll through open studios, meet local artists, and experience the creative energy that defines this dynamic district. More info
California Dreamin’ Portfolio Wine Dinner
Savor the flavors of California at the California Dreamin’ Portfolio Wine Dinner on Sunday, August 10 from 5–9 pm at LG’s Prime Steakhouse in La Quinta. Enjoy a curated evening of fine wine and gourmet dining with special guest Dante Riboli Colombatti, all while supporting Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley. Whether it’s a night out with friends or a romantic date, this desert summer soirée promises elegance, connection, and a cause worth toasting. Reserve by Wed, Aug 6
Desert Bloom 4
Desert Bloom 4 returns to Club 541 on Saturday & Sunday, August 9 &10 for a weekend of connection, education, and kink-forward celebration. Hosted by Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, Rough Trade Gear, and Club 541, this all-day event includes two private parties, exclusive giveaways, and full venue access from Friday through Sunday. Highlights include a certified masseur, boot blacking by International Mr. Leather 2025 Rene Hebert, and optional tutorials like “Fisting to Music” and “Toys and Fisting.” Enjoy cigars on the patio and camaraderie throughout. Get tickets
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!
- 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 - Gay Softball League Fall Tryouts
Sat. Aug 16 from 9–11 am at Demuth Park - Clear the Shelters Adoption Event
Aug 16 & 17 from 11 am–5 pm at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter - Out on the Mountain LGBTQ Night
Fri. Aug 22 from 6 pm–Midnight at Six Flags Magic Mountain - Guadalupe’s House Party
Fri. Aug 22 from 7:30–10 pm at the Palm Springs Art Museum - Michael Holmes’ Purple Room Re-Opens for 12th Season
Weeknights: Aug 26–28, Lucie Arnaz Aug. 29 & 30, The Judy Show! Aug 31 - CV Lip Sync Battle 2025
Sat. Sep 6 at 6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - September at the McCallum Theatre
The Righteous Brothers (9/10), Jon Lovitz (9/13) & more. - Gay Days Anaheim
Fri.–Sun. Sep 12–14 at Disneyland Resort - Pride Under the Pines 2025 – Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now
Sat. Oct 4 in Downtown Idyllwild - Modernism Week – October
Oct 16–19 – Tickets on Sale Aug 1 - Palm Springs Leather Pride 2025 – Gods of Leather
Oct 30–Nov 2 at Hotel Zoso, Tool Shed, CCBC, Hunters - Mizell Center Presents Cheyenne Jackson Live in Concert
Wed. Nov 12 at 7 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center - Palm Springs International Film Festival
Jan 2–13, 2026 – Passes on Sale Aug 1 - Palm Springs International Film Awards
Sat. Jan 3, 2026 – Tickets on Sale Aug 1
My Desert Dogs is your dog’s home away from home in Cathedral City, offering daycare for playful pups, cozy overnight boarding, and grooming services to keep your furry friend looking sharp. This gay-owned and operated retreat blends personalized care with a welcoming desert vibe, ensuring every tail-wagger feels right at ease. Whether your dog craves social time or some extra TLC, My Desert Dogs has you covered! 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
Catch Modgirl this Sunday, August 10 at 2 pm at Sunset Sessions, Venice Beach Club—bringing her signature high-vibe house and disco energy to the coast.
KGAY 106.5 and 92.1 are giving you a chance to WIN TICKETS to Gay Days Anaheim 2025, happening September 12–14! Celebrate pride and magic at Disneyland Resort with thousands of LGBTQ+ fans, friends, and families—and an all-star lineup of special guests including Lawrence Chaney, Ginger Minj, Cheyenne Jackson, Zach Noe Towers, and Kay Sedia. Tune in and enter to win—your Gay Days adventure starts with KGAY! 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
103.1 MeTV FM plays a variety of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s with a touch of the ’50s! Rise and Shine weekday mornings with a Timeless and Memorable variety of songs you know and love, and get your weather from Jerry Steffen at NBC Palm Springs. Listen in your car, at work, at home or around the world, online at 1031metvfm.com or tell Alexa, “Open 103.1 MeTV FM.”
WIN a $250 gift card to Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
103.1 Me TV FM invites you to Dine & Sip… on ME! Fridays this summer, Patrick Evans will give away a gift card to a featured Coachella Valley Eatery! THIS WEEK: ENTER TO WIN a $250 gift card to Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, the desert’s favorite destination for chef-crafted vegan comfort food for over 30 years. Founded by Tanya – a pioneer in plant-based cuisine – every dish is packed with flavor, creativity, and love…committed to sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. Find them in Palm Springs and Palm Desert, open daily! Enter to WIN on the 103.1 MeTV FM Contest Page
- Alaska Airlines Adds New Palm Springs–Santa Rosa Route This Fall
- 2025 CV Lip Sync Battle: Warm Up Those Jazz Hands and Get Ready to Rumble!
- The Tribe’s Side: The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum’s ‘Section 14: The Untold Story’ Exhibit Explains What Happened on Palm Springs’ Most Storied Section of Land
- More Is More at Bar Issi, a Maximalist New Dining Destination in Palm Springs
- A Road Trip Itinerary: LA, Palm Springs & Joshua Tree National Park
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.