Gay Desert Guide: Week of Jun 22, 2026

Today’s media landscape continues to devolve or evolve — depending on your point of view. The devolution occurred last year with the demise of public broadcasting as the administration eliminated the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). PBS and NPR have held on with support from foundations, listeners and affiliate radio stations. The purge continued with the demise of CBS — 60 Minutes and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert — and threats against ABC, for example.

As we start #SupportYourStation Week on KGAY, I provide some perspective on the state of media and why it’s important to help us with a small contribution this week.

Read my blog here

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAYPalmSprings and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you reside!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis #SupportYourStation #VisitGPS #LGBTQTravel #VisitPalmSprings

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THIS FRI: KGAY’s Big Splash | Support Your Station Pool Party

KGAY’s Big Splash | Support Your Station Pool Party makes a splash at The Palm Springs Surf Club on Friday, June 26 from 7–10 pm, offering exclusive nighttime access to River Island and the Lazy River. MODGIRL spins live throughout the evening, creating the perfect soundtrack for cool water, warm air, and starry skies. Guests can start early with Happy Hour at The Restaurant from 5–7 pm, and all proceeds benefit the KGAY Support Your Station campaign. It’s a 21+ event designed for summer fun with friends. More info

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MON–TUE: PS/NExT Summit 2026

The PS/NExT Summit 2026 brings two days of innovation, creativity, and emerging tech to the Palm Springs Convention Center on Monday–Tuesday, June 22–23, running Monday from 8 am–7 pm and Tuesday from 8 am–2 pm. Featuring industry‑shaping voices like filmmaker Rob Minkoff, storyteller Baratunde Thurston, engineer Philip Su, and AI artist Kelly McKernan, the summit spans six curated tracks covering community learning, small business tools, education, developers, creativity × AI, and civic leadership. With hands‑on sessions, the Vibe‑a‑thon, GenJam, and cross‑industry conversations, PS/NExT offers a rare chance to explore how AI and emerging tech are reshaping life, work, and creative expression in the Coachella Valley. More info

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MON: XOXO Palm Springs Final Day

XOXO Palm Springs concludes its 12‑day celebration on Monday, June 22, with a vibrant mix of film, music, and cultural experiences across the city. At the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the festival’s nightly feature Sabbath Queen screens at 7:30 pm, offering one last chance to catch this intimate documentary. Live music fills the evening as Leanna & Miguel perform at V Wine Lounge from 5–8 pm, while Karaoke with Kyle brings a lively crowd to the Ace Hotel & Swim Club at 8 pm. Melvyn’s continues its nightly tradition of free live music, creating a perfect soundtrack for the festival’s final night. More info

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TUE–MON: Palm Springs International ShortFest 2026

The Palm Springs International ShortFest 2026 returns to Festival Theaters for seven days of world‑class short‑form cinema from Tuesday–Monday, June 23–29. Showcasing more than 300 films from around the globe, ShortFest highlights emerging storytellers, acclaimed directors, and future Oscar contenders across thoughtfully curated programs. Attendees can explore genres ranging from comedy and drama to animation and documentary, with filmmaker Q&As and industry conversations enhancing the experience. Opening Night begins Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 pm at Festival Theaters 5, kicking off a week of creativity and cinematic discovery. More info

THU: GAY!LA – Palm Springs International ShortFest Pride Party

ShortFest sparkles as GAY!LA takes over Thursday, June 25, for a late‑night celebration of identity, joy, and pure queer brilliance. From 10 pm–midnight at The Sonoran Palm Springs, this 21+ event brings dancing, high‑voltage music, and a room full of people ready to live loudly and love boldly. It’s the perfect way to close out your festival day with pride, community, and fun. More info

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THU–SAT: Making Porn

Theatre lovers can experience Making Porn at Prism Theater, with performances running Thursday–Saturday, June 25–28 as part of its full run through August 2. This outrageous hit comedy follows the chaos of a low‑budget gay adult film shoot, where a struggling actor is pulled into a world of eccentric performers, oversized egos, and nonstop backstage mayhem. Packed with rapid‑fire jokes, fearless camp, and surprising heart, the production delivers a bold, R‑rated experience. More info

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FRI–SAT: Stock the Shelves for Summer

The Stock the Shelves for Summer Community Food Drive invites the community to support the Community Food Bank at The Center on Friday, June 26 from 8 am–4 pm and Saturday, June 27 from 9 am–2 pm. Held at the Food Bank’s location on Alejo Road, the drive helps ensure that no one in the community goes hungry during the summer months. Attendees can drop off donations in person or contribute online anytime, with all items directly supporting local residents in need. More info

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On Golden Pond

The Big Bear Theatre Project presents On Golden Pond, running through June 28 at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. Ernest Thompson’s award‑winning play follows Norman and Ethel Thayer through a summer at their New England lake cottage, blending humor, memory, and the tenderness of family reconciliation. This production offers a heartfelt, intimate staging of a beloved theatrical masterwork. More info

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ALSO THIS WEEK

• Palm Springs Power Baseball: Summer League 2026
  • The Palm Springs Power defend their championship quest at Palm Springs Stadium on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 6:30 pm. Fans enjoy promotional drinks on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Saturday features MicroMania Wrestling after a 5:30 pm first pitch.
• Summer Cabaret Series at CVRep
  • This series at CV Rep features Joanne O’Brien performing Yesterday Once More—The Sound of Karen Carpenter on Tuesday and Brent Barrett sharing My 40 Years on Broadway on Thursday. Both shows run from 7:30–9 pm, offering unique storytelling and musical talents in an intimate cabaret setting.
• Where Were You In 1976? A Look Back at Bicentennial Cinema
  • The Palm Springs Cultural Center/Camelot Theatre screens Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) on Thursday at 6 pm. Curated by Deserted Films, the event begins with a pre-show of Bicentennial year archival gems followed by the film at 6:30 pm.
• Sasha Berliner
  • Vibraphonist and composer Sasha Berliner brings her forward-swinging sound to the Cascade Lounge at the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs on Thursday from 7–8:30 pm.
• Desert Hot Springs Downtown Concerts
  • The city hosts a family-friendly beach party summer kickoff on Saturday from 6–10 pm at Desert Hot Springs City Hall, featuring Gilligan’s Island the Band.
• Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays
  • Participants enjoy country western dancing on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio. This LGBTQ+ friendly event includes a lesson at 7 pm followed by two-step, waltz, swing, and line dancing. This week features Beginner Shadow instruction with Rob Ollander-Krane.
• The Book of Merman / Prism Theater
  • Prism Theater presents the new musical comedy The Book of Merman Saturday–Sunday at Prism Theater through July 26. This production follows a new musical revelation involving missionaries and a legendary Broadway diva.
• Agave Caliente Terraza – Free Outdoor Concert Series
  • Ultimate Poison performs on Saturday at 8 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City. This SoCal tribute band delivers “Glam. Metal. Mayhem.” by performing the hard rock anthems of Poison with precision and passion.
• Desert Sound Sessions at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs
  • The Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel hosts a wellness series on Sunday from 9:45–11 am. Partnered with DEN Meditation, the session includes tea and community gathering followed by a guided sound journey featuring crystal singing bowls.

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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

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Summer 2026 Visitor Map & Guide – FREE!

Check out the just-published Summer 2026 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, all curated to make exploring the valley even easier. Look for the latest edition at businesses and newsstands around town, as well as at hotels, visitor centers, and participating sponsors, or view it online.

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THIS WEEKEND

FRI–SAT: Sycuan Pride Weekend

Sycuan Pride Weekend at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon runs Friday–Saturday, June 26–27, offering a full lineup of LGBTQ+ entertainment and celebrations. Friday features the Oasis Pool Party at 3 pm, Lobby Bar sets at 4 pm, and a Welcome Party at 9 pm hosted by Jazzelene East Coast. Saturday continues with the SPLASH Pool Party at 11 am, followed by A Lil’ Bit Judgy Show at 8 pm with Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews, and Mariam T’s Bad Bingo at 10 pm with performances by Fantasia Royale Gaga, Eda Mame, and Jazzlene East Coast. More info

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SAT–SUN: San Francisco Pride

San Francisco Pride fills the city with celebration Saturday–Sunday, June 27–28, guided by a theme emphasizing unity, resistance, and progress. At Civic Center Plaza, attendees will find free admission, multiple stages of LGBTQ+ artists and DJs, community pavilions, and a vibrant vendor marketplace. On Sunday, June 28 at 10:30 am, the iconic Pride Parade marches down Market Street, featuring contingents from across the Bay Area and beyond. It remains one of the world’s largest and most influential Pride parades. More info

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SAT: Wanderlust Food Truck Festival at Sunrise Park

The Wanderlust Food Truck Festival returns to Sunrise Park on Saturday, June 27 from 5–10 pm, offering a curated lineup of 20+ food trucks and local vendors. Guests can enjoy gourmet street food, comfort classics, sweet treats, and globally inspired flavors in a relaxed, community‑driven outdoor setting. With lawn games, open seating, and a welcoming atmosphere, the festival encourages visitors to stay, connect, and savor the evening. More info

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SUN: HRC No Time to Spare – Bowling for Equality

The HRC No Time to Spare: Bowling for Equality event rolls into Palm Springs Lanes on Sunday, June 28 from 5–7 pm, bringing the community together in support of the Human Rights Campaign. Teams of six bowlers can register to participate, with individual bowlers welcome and grouped into teams. Registration includes bowling ball and shoes, lane fees, one large pizza per team, and two pitchers of soft drinks. It’s a welcoming, energizing evening designed to strengthen community ties and support LGBTQ+ equality. More info

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Ask a Gay Doc Episode 36: Cleve Jones – LGBTQ+ Activist

Dr. Renzo Corzano of Desert Oasis Healthcare and KGAY 103.1’s John Taylor are answering your health-related questions in the Ask A Gay Doc series, sponsored by Desert Oasis Healthcare. In Episode 36, Pioneering LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare activist Cleve Jones joins John and Dr. Corzano to talk about his decades of mobilizing our community. From his creation of the Names Project and the AIDS Quilt in the 80’s to 2026’s Seven Days in June Project, Cleve Jones has been advocating for healthcare as a human right for all. Watch the Ask a Gay Doc series, and find out how you can submit your own questions, on the Ask a Gay Doc page at kgaypalmsprings.com.

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• PS/NExT Summit
  Mon.–Tue. Jun 22–23 at the Palm Springs Convention Center
• XOXO Palm Springs: Citywide Arts & Culture Festival
  Jun 11–22
• Palm Springs International ShortFest
  Jun 23–29 at Festival Theaters
• Born This Way! ShortFest GAY!LA Party
  Thu. Jun 25 at 10 pm at The Sonoran
• KGAY’s BIG SPLASH – #SupportYourStation Pool Party
  Fri. Jun 26 from 7–9 pm at Palm Springs Surf Club
• On Golden Pond – presented by Big Bear Theatre Project
  Jun 18–28 at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center
• Stock the Shelves for Summer Community Food Drive
  Fri. & Sat. Jun 26 & 27 at The Community Food Bank at The Center
• 4th of July in Greater Palm Springs
  July 2–5 in various locations
• Eagle Cathedral City Presents WET & WILD Parties
  WILD on Fri. Jul 3 at 9 pm and WET on Sun. Jul 5 from 4–9 pm
• Gay Wine Weekend – 15th Anniversary Celebration
  July 17–19 in Sonoma Valley

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.