Gay Desert Guide: Week of June 22, 2020

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide.

Mandatory California Mask Order

Late last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the use of face coverings for all Californians in indoor space, public transportation, and outdoors when social distancing guidelines cannot be observed. See the California Department of Public Health’s Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings [here].

Safer Together, Greater Together

Gay Desert Guide has taken the Safer Together, Greater Together Pledge. By taking this pledge, GayDesertGuide.LGBT is making a commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors, workforce, and all of our neighbors, families, and friends. The Safer Together, Greater Together Pledge is a unified approach destination-wide among all of the business partners of Visit Greater Palm Springs.

2020 ShortFest Wraps up with Awards

2020 ShortFest was held as a virtual event this year, with winners announced this past Sunday. You can see who won and catch the best of the fest online at https://psfilmfest.org/2020-shortfest

Mary Pickford Theater Reopens

The Mary Pickford Theater in Cathedral City is once again screening films, and they are the first movie theater to re-open in the Coachella Valley. They are limiting screenings to 25% capacity, with social distancing and mask requirements in place (though you can remove mask once seated). More info

Voices with Impact 2020

Art With Impact presents Voices With Impact 2020 from Monday, June 22 through Friday, June 26
Voices With Impact is a year-long project that celebrates mental health stories told by filmmakers from around the world with unique perspectives and lived experience. The topics for this year’s five-minute short films are: Mental health issues specific to LGBTQIA+ people, and mental health issues related to the culture of masculinity. The world premiere of these films will take place on June 22, and will be followed by a week-long festival of dialogue and discussion in which esteemed storytellers will lead interactive, enlightening sessions on topics ranging from colonialism and mental health to representations of men of color in the media. Workshops are free, registration required. More info

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Luminary Cocktail with Alexandra Billings

CVRep presents the first Virtual Luminary Cocktail event, with Alexandra Billings, on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m. Billings will discuss her illustrious Broadway career. Acting since 1968, she has performed across the United States in hundreds of plays and musicals. Every stage role she plays is considered to be a first for a transgender actress. Award-winning director Joanne Gordon will conduct the interview. Registration required. 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:

Social Caring in the Face of Quarantine with Alexis Ortega – Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

Coping for Couples with Arlen Keith Leight, LCSW, Ph.D – Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.

Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson – Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.

Men’s Chat with Stuart Huggins – Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Starting June 30: Virtual Beginner Tap with Keith Mottola – Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. 

New groups starting soon from Behavioral Health @The Center:
Bereavement Therapy Group, starting July 6
Gay Men Living with HIV, starting July 8.

Online Reading of Comedy “Meet & Greet”

On Thursday, June 25 at 6:00 p.m., CVRep is presenting a star-studded cast for an online reading of “Meet & Greet,” a hilarious comedy from acclaimed writers Stan Zimmerman and Christian McLaughlin. This award-winning play centers around four actresses (of a certain age) who are all up for the same part in a horrible new sitcom pilot. At the network casting office, old rivalries come to the surface and egos clash. Starring: Judith Chapman, Daniele Gaither, Teresa Ganzel, Melissa Peterman, and Brendan Robinson. Free program, registration required. More info

‘Stories of Dear Harvey’ Virtual Viewings

San Diego’s Breakthrough Workshop Theatre has performed “Dear Harvey,” a tribute play to Harvey Milk, ever since their conception in 2013. With the 2020 reading cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, the tradition continues with a new documentary film experience that interweaves stories from the play with stories from the creators and the artists who have been changed through their work on the play for over a decade. The film can viewed online for free on Friday, June 26 at 6:00 p.m., and again on Wednesday, July 1 at 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, July 12 at 1:00 p.m. with each live screening followed by a different live follow-up experience. More info

Miss Richfield Bingo Bonanza

Outlandish presents Bingo Bonanza with Miss Richfield 1981, online Monday and Thursday nights at 5:00 p.m. Watch and play along as Miss Richfield turns your living room into a church basement! All ages welcome. More info

I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 50

THIS WEEKEND

Global Pride 2020

Global Pride 2020 is bringing Pride organizations from around the world together on Saturday, June 27, ensuring that our pride will shine through COVID-19. Hundreds of Pride celebrations have had to be canceled or postponed this year due to the pandemic, but Global Pride will provide a platform where everyone can participate, wherever they are in the world. It will include musical performances, speeches, and key messages from human rights activists. The event will be live-streamed, and people will be invited to join in the event from home. More info

Sonoma County Virtual Pride