Obergefell is not a name that rolls off the tongue. But Jim Obergefell’s name ten years on is one for the LGBTQ history books. June 26 marked the 10 year anniversary of the Supreme Court handing down its Obergefell vs. Hodges ruling that states could not deny marriage to same-sex couples. His husband died before the ruling of ALS. It was because their Maryland marriage wasn’t going to be recognized in their home state of Ohio that the lawsuit came about. And their fight made “gay marriage” legal for all.
In an NPR Interview marking the landmark ruling, Obergefell reflected on today’s world: “…it’s terrifying to see all of these attacks on the queer community, especially the most marginalized and the most vulnerable part of our community, the trans community.”
He goes on to provide a glimpse of hope: “There are moments I’m incredibly scared about what the future holds. But then I remind myself, we have been through these things before. We’ve been through worse times as a community and what have we done? We have always raised our voices to say we exist, we are here. We’re not going to put up with that. And that’s what we will keep doing.”
In a small Guerneville storefront, Jim and his business partner, Matt Groves, have a small wine tasting room for their brand, “Equality Vines.” It’s always a stop-by for me when I attend Gay Wine Weekend coming up in Mid-July. I’ve got to meet and talk with Jim — when times were better. And I’m a wine club member to support their many charities.
We just lost the Supreme Court battle for transgender rights, a big blow to our community. Our vulnerable trans brothers and sisters are hurting and not feeling safe. And they may not survive, as Jim’s husband did not live, to see the reversal or softening of America on the trans issue. It may not be from an illness or disease, it may be self-inflicted as trans people decide they don’t want to fight.
Jim concludes with the story of why the fight meant so much to him: “I also think about this young woman at the University of Tennessee who told me that if it weren’t for marriage equality, if it weren’t for a lawsuit, if it weren’t for a Supreme Court decision, she would have committed suicide. And the fact that this one person told me that I know there are others who felt the same way, but she found a reason not to take her own life. She found a reason to keep living because she finally, as a closeted queer kid, saw a future that included her.”
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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MON: ShortFest “Best of Fest” Day
After a week packed with cinematic gems from around the globe, the Palm Springs International ShortFest wraps with Best of Fest—a final day of encore screenings spotlighting audience favorites and juried award winners. Happening today, Monday, June 30 from 11 am–8 pm, this celebratory showcase is your last chance to catch the standout short films from the festival. Get tickets
WED: Backstreet Art District Art Walk
Step into Palm Springs’ Backstreet Art District on Wednesday, July 2 from 5–7 pm for the free, rain-or-shine First Wednesday Art Walk. Wander through 13 working studios and galleries at 2600 S. Cherokee Way—behind The Estate Sale Co.—to discover original paintings, ceramics, photography, mixed media, jewelry, and more by locally and nationally recognized artists. More info
STARTS THU: All-American 4th of July Weekend
Independence Day in Palm Springs features a spectacular weekend of events! The festivities kick off on Thursday, July 3, with a family-friendly Kickoff Party at VillageFest from 7–10 pm, featuring games, crafts, activities, live music, and free snowcones. On Friday, July 4, dive into the holiday spirit with a Pool Party from 3–10 pm, catch the Power Baseball game at 6 pm (gates open 4:30 pm), and enjoy a concert by Beatles tribute band Hard Day’s Night at 7 pm. The evening culminates with dazzling fireworks at Sunrise Park at 9:15 pm sharp. The celebration continues on Saturday, July 5, with a Dive-In Movie screening of Captain America at the Swim Center; open swim starts at 6 pm and the movie begins at 7 pm. More info
FRI: Agua Caliente 4th of July Fireworks Extravaganza Weekend
Celebrate Independence Day with a bang at the 11th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza on Friday, July 4 at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage. Gates open at 3 pm for this free “Drive-In” experience, with games and giveaways starting at 7 pm and a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the sky at 9 pm. With 700 parking spots available on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s one of the Coachella Valley’s most festive and family-friendly traditions. Festivities and promotions continue all weekend across all three Agua Caliente Casinos. See all the details on our event listing: More info
FRI: Big Bear Lake 4th of July
Celebrate Independence Day under the stars at Big Bear Lake’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular on Friday, July 4 from 7–10 pm! Enjoy a dazzling 30–40 minute show (8:45–9:15 pm) choreographed to music in one of SoCal’s most scenic mountain settings—free from the shore, the water, or a trail view. Want an elevated experience? Grab tickets to Above the Boom at Snow Summit for live entertainment, dinner, and panoramic views from 8,200 feet! More info
New Exhibit – Section 14: The Untold Story
Discover a vital and often overlooked chapter of local history at Section 14: The Untold Story, a new exhibit at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. This powerful presentation sheds light on one square mile of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in downtown Palm Springs—its significance, struggles, and the Tribe’s enduring fight for sovereignty. Through personal stories, historical archives, and a moving short film, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians reclaims their narrative on their own land. More info
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, June 30
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, July 2
Hot Spot Bingo with Deven & Ned | 7–8:30 pm at Agua Caliente Cathedral City
Thursday, July 3
VillageFest Street Fair | 7–10 pm in Downtown Palm Springs
Friday, July 4
Food Truck Fridays | 5–10 pm in Downtown Indio
Saturday, July 5
Country Dance Saturdays: Double D Line Dance with Kyle Young | 7 pm at Step by Step
Sunday, July 6
Sunday Stomp Line Dancing | 6–10 pm at Reforma
Guided Hikes | 11 am & 1:30 pm at San Jacinto State Park (Tramway Mountain Station)
KGAY Desert Guide Featured on “Desert Chat”
In this “Desert Chat” interview, Host Sandie Newton welcomes Brad Fuhr to reflect on the impact of Gay Desert Guide and KGAY Radio in serving the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley communities as LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2025 wraps up.
THIS WEEKEND
Depth Charge PSLOD Play Party
Gear up for a night of bold energy and fun at DEPTH CHARGE, the official Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert play party for the July 4th weekend. Happening Saturday, July 5 from 9 pm–1:30 am at Hotel Zoso’s lower level, this high-voltage event is hosted by adult superstar Ryan Sebastian with special guest International Mr. Leather 2025 Rene Hebert, plus 21 slings, 10 benches, and an electrifying crowd of party-ready players. If you loved GO DEEP at Leather Pride, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s the last chance before Leather Pride in October! More info
Que Color Pool Party
Dive into the heat of summer at Que Calor, a bold new pool party experience from SOS Entertainers, happening Saturday, July 5 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
Colton Ford – Celebration of Life
Friends and fans will gather on Saturday, July 5 from 4–6 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center for A Celebration of Life: Honoring Glenn Soukesian aka Colton Ford – Shine Bright Like A Diamond. This heartfelt tribute will celebrate Colton’s extraordinary journey—from adult film icon and chart-topping pop star to actor, trainer, and cherished community figure. Friends and collaborators will share live performances, personal stories, and touching video tributes, capturing his passion, artistry, and larger-than-life spirit. Doors open at 3 pm; limited seating available, so guests are encouraged to reserve their spot in advance. More info
Women’s Tea Dance at Palm Springs Surf Club
Get ready for the Women’s Tea Dance this Sunday, July 6, from 3–6 pm at The Palm Springs Surf Club. Hosted by The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, this event promises an afternoon of great music by Ay-Lex Song with no cover charge. It’s going to be a fun gathering with a pulsating atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a Sunday afternoon in Palm Springs! More info
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!
- Palm Springs International ShortFest: Best of the Fest
Mon. Jun 30 from 11 am–8 pm at Festival Theaters - All American 4th of July Weekend
Jul 3–5 at various locations around Palm Springs - Big Bear Lake – 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Fri. Jul 4 from 7–10 pm at Big Bear Lake - Que Calor Pool Party by SOS Entertainers
Sat. Jul 5 from 2–7 pm at The Velvet Rope - DEPTH CHARGE! PSLOD Play Party
Sat. Jul 5 from 9 pm–1:30 am in the Catacombs at Hotel Zoso - Falsettos – Presented by Palm Canyon Theatre
Jul 11–20 - Gay Wine Weekend
Jul 18–20 in Russian River Valley & Healdsburg wine region of Sonoma County - Nola at Escena – Grand Opening
Sat. Jul 19 from 10 am–2 pm at Escena Golf Club - Pride Under the Pines 2025 – Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now
Sat. Oct 4 in Downtown Idyllwild
Charles Barenbrugge is a broker and certified Probate & Trust Specialist with over 36 years real estate experience in Illinois and California. Working with clients in Coachella Valley and Beverly Hills since 2017, he is experienced in both commercial and residential properties. Clients benefit from his signature marketing package—including 3D Matterport tours, custom photography, floor plans, and dedicated property webpages. 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
THIS WEEKEND: This Sunday, July 6, KGAY’s DJ Galaxy brings the beats to Oscar’s World Famous T-Dance from 3–7 pm. Let the disco era shine!
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
Swirl, sip, and celebrate in style: Gay Wine Weekend returns to Sonoma County from July 18–20, bringing vineyard tours, winemaker dinners, and dazzling T-Dances to the most luxurious LGBTQ+ summer event! KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 want you to WIN VIP PASSES! Stop by a participating sponsor to get a code and enter to win priority seating, exclusive event access, and a stay at The Lodge at Healdsburg. Learn More and Enter to WIN on the KGAY Contest Page
Win the ultimate summer escape with KGAY 106.5 & 92.1! Enter to win a Lola Rose Swim Club membership plus a two-night stay at Thompson Palm Springs, with your VIP pass to poolside lounging, weekend yoga, and exclusive perks. Enjoy daily access to the pool and gym, 10% off food and drinks, and guest passes to share the fun—all summer long! 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
This weekend on 103.1 MeTV FM: Get ready for all of your favorite upbeat summer songs…the Summer Cruisin’ Weekend is back for the 4th of July holiday weekend. Whether you’re hitting the road or staying at home…the fun starts Thursday morning with Patrick Evans! Brought to you by Agua Caliente Casinos & Gameday Men’s Health. 103.1 MeTV FM plays a Timeless and Memorable variety of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s with a touch of the ’50s! Listen in your car, at work, at home or around the world, online at 1031metvfm.com or tell Alexa, “Open 103.1 MeTV FM”
- Pride Month Marches On, Despite Frustration and Worry From LGBTQ Community Over Government Actions
- Restaurant News Bites: The Return of the SUN Bucks Program; the Return of Indio’s Burger Box; and More!
- CVRep’s Summer Cabaret Series – By Stephen Radosh
- The Dinah, the Biggest Party for Lesbian and Queer Women, to End After 34 Years. Its Founder Shares Why
- More Books for Pride Month
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.