Today marks the first day of Pride month around the world — looking much different than a year ago. That’s when I was making plans with Ron DeHarte to be a part of World Pride in New York City. We would ultimately be one of the lead units as part of the WorldPride Marching Contingent.
Today that city and many other lie in ruin after nights of rioting and looting. And we are well aware that the peaceful protesters were for the most part not associated with the violence.
June 1 is also the first day of summer and events continue to move off the calendar. We’ve updated the latest – both August dates for Splash House have now been cancelled. However, on a brighter note, the Palm Springs Air Museum is now open with limited hours.
And tonight we kick off our new series of fun virtual events with Big Gay Trivia. Register by noon today and get 25% off with promo code GDG25. Just $7.50. Shann Carr will join in the festivities tonight! And here’s what else is happening this week. Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide.
George Floyd Demonstrations Planned in Coachella Valley
The nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have now reached the Coachella valley with two planned protests this week: On Monday, June 1 at 6:00 p.m. at Miles Avenue Park in Indio, UPDATE: Riverside County curfew announced for 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 1 through 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 2. A Palm Springs event is planned for Saturday, June 6 at 9:00 a.m. at the corner of N Palm Canyon Drive and E Tahquitz Canyon Way (Starbucks Reserve).
Gay Desert Guide Presents: Big Gay Virtual Trivia Night
On Monday, June 1 from 6:30–8:00 p.m., Gay Desert Guide is kicking off Pride Month with Big Gay Virtual Interactive Trivia Night: This partnership with TheMenEvent will be hosted by TheMenEvent’s Hugh Hysell. It’s a fun way to socialize and get people together for a night of fun, conversations and learning during all the craziness. Our Trivia contests are so entertaining because we make the questions easy and enjoyable for everyone! The top 3 winners from each round will win free passes to our events when we get back up and running. Register ahead of time to secure your spot. More info
Take advantage of our special Trivia Night registration discount: Save 25% with code GDG25 or [click here]
Join Gay Desert Guide, Oasis Marketing Group and Desert Business Association for the next installment in their Digital Marketing Series. Topic: What Local Businesses Should be Doing Now for SEO Ranking & Google Listings, on Wednesday, June 3 from 10:00–11:00 a.m. There are things local businesses can do on their own to increase their Search Engine Optimization and get ranked higher on Google search pages. Also learn Google guidance on updating & managing your business information, creating posts and connecting with your customers. Please RSVP if you are going to attend. A link to the session will be provided to those who register. The third installment in this series will be Smart Phones, Smart Speakers, Smart TVs and more Smart Advertising on June 10. More info
DBA Virtual Networking Mixer Monday
Join the Desert Business Association for another DBA Virtual Networking Mixer on Monday, June 1 at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. There will be sharing about what’s going on within our business community as well as communities in general, with roundtable chat and check-in. You will also learn about plans for DBA’s 2020 Business and Community Service Awards! More info
Voices of Hope – Together, We Thrive
Desert Aids Project (DAP) has announced their Voices of Hope – Together, We Thrive livestream event, originally scheduled for Friday,June 5 will be rescheduled, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. While “now is not the time” for the Voices of Hope event, says DAP CEO David Brinkman, “we’ll reschedule for another time.”
Positive Life Series for June
The Positive Life Series is monthly community HIV/AIDS seminar series presented by HIV + Aging Research Project Palm Springs. On Tuesday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. Therapist Neva Chaupette returns to share her perspectives on how our longterm survivor community is coping with this new reality, and how it’s related to the AIDS pandemic we’ve all lived through. Registration required. Note: this series will go on summer hiatus for July and August. More info
AAP–Food Samaritans’ Awesome Online Auction
Bidding will open on Monday, June 1 for the AAP-Food Samaritans Awesome Online Auction, to raise much needed funds to help them through this challenging time. Bidding will continue through Sunday, June 7 at 5:00 p.m. and bidders can register online to receive notifications. The auction is open for preview now. More info
Eat Healthy with Eisenhower Health and The Center
The Center and Eisenhower Health present Eat Healthy on Wednesday, June 3 at from 5:30–6:30 p.m. on Zoom. Nutrition labels can be confusing, and with the new challenges by the FDA, it can be challenging to know what to look for when determining the foods that are right for you. Learn how to read and understand the label in this interactive workshop presented by Rachel Dillon, RD so you can feel confident when you head to the grocery store. 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:
Thai Smile Re-Opens for Indoor and Patio Seating Dining
Thai Smile is finalizing the implementation of recommendations and requirements set by the CDC and the Riverside County Department of Public Health to ensure a safe and comfortable dining experience for everyone when they re-open for indoor and patio seating dining on Monday, June 1. They will be open 7 days a week from 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. daily. More info
ShortFest Spotlight
The Palm Springs International Film Society continues to curate short films for your escaping pleasure with their ShortFest Spotlight. New this week: “Joy Joy Nails” directed by Joey Ally. Sarah manages Joy Joy Nails with a cheerful iron fist, but she gets her manicured claws out when Chinese Mia, a manicurist trainee, looks to be stealing the boss’s son’s affections, soon discovering that under the varnish, everyone’s a victim. View here
2020 ShortFest will be a virtual event this year. The Official Selection will be announced in early June, with a selection of those films available for screening on their website for free from June 16–22, the original dates of the festival. There will also be virtual classes and panels with industry guests as part of the ShortFest Forum. More info
Out in the Vineyard Survey
Do you enjoy food and wine, and especially the Sonoma Valley wine experience? Out in the Vineyard is looking for new ways to provide opportunities to experience “our” wine country (for the discerning gay traveler), both from home and when you are ready to visit again. Fill out this quick survey and help them shape a new “Insider” Private VIP Members Club! [Take survey]
Gay Wine Week, Out in the Vineyard’s signature annual event, will be virtual this year, with lots of fun events in the works. Plan on keeping the weekend of July 17–19 open to bring the magic of Sonoma into your home. Stay tuned for more details.
Splash House Cancels All 2020 Dates
After initially canceling just the June 2020 dates, Splash House has now canceled their August 2020 weekends as well. Tickets can be refunded or transferred to June 11–13, 2021 and/or August 13–15, 2021, when the mega pool party plans to return to Palm Springs. More info
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 47
As we all move gaily forward into Re-Opening Phase 2.75, join hosts John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr,Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com, Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com and Stoli Brands USA’s LGBT Ambassador Patrik Gallineaux as we navigate the changes in restaurants, retail and recreation all tempered by the medical wisdom of Dr. Laura Rush. [Listen] or [Watch]
