Saturday’s #BlackLivesMatter protest was peaceful, hopeful and emotional. Here Palm Springs Police Chief Bryan Reyes gets a photo with one of the nearly 1000 who gathered. We were glad to be a part of it and have a video of nearly all the protesters marching by on our Facebook page. I stopped by Arenas Road Sunday afternoon for a look at how Chill and Eagle 501 were reopening. Others plan to follow and we’ll keep you updated in our new Gay Desert Guide “After Dark” channel. Please be sure to follow us on social media @gaydesertguide and subscribe to our weekly newsletter via the link at the top of our home page.
Here’s to a safe and calm week as we slowly reopen Greater Palm Springs!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide.
Virtual Gay Speed Dating
On Wednesday, June 10 from 6:00–8:00 p.m., Gay Desert Guide presents Virtual Gay Speed Dating: 40’s–50’s
Please note: This event has been canceled, but stay tuned for future speed dating events!
Next up in this series of events will be the Big Gay Virtual Murder Mystery Team Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, June 20, and Virtual Gay Speed Dating: 55+ Edition on Wednesday, June 24.
Digital Marketing Series Continues
Join Gay Desert Guide, Oasis Marketing Group and Desert Business Association for the next installment in their Digital Marketing Series. Topic: Smart Phones, Smart Speakers, Smart TVs And Other Smart Advertising, on Wednesday, June 10 from 10:00–10:45 a.m. Learn about reaching people when they are streaming audio content, Over-The-Top video streaming on their Smart TVs, as well as all the ways to target people on their mobile devices. To compete in today’s world, you’ve got to be SMART! Please RSVP if you are going to attend these events. A link to the session will be provided to those who register. 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.
Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson – Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesday at 3:00 p.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.
Reel Women’s Film Festival – Final Days
The Reel Women’s Film Festival, supporting Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, has taken its fundraising efforts and film festival online this year. Make a donation of any size and then enjoy a series of five inspiring, thought-provoking films during this special springtime event, hosted in partnership with Women Make Movies. Viewable over the course of four weeks, watch–and re-watch–the films at your own timing and leisure, from the comfort of your own home, with all films available for viewing now through June 13. Donations will be designated toward the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund in support of Planned Parenthood’s mission to provide essential health care services throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties during this critical time. More info
HUMP! Film Fest Livestream – Final Screening
HUMP! Film Festival has been bringing audiences a new kind of porn since 2005. If you missed this year’s edition when it was in Palm Springs this year on February 29, you can now catch the same lineup of hot, sexy, creative, and kinky short films in an online livestream Hosted by Dan Savage on for one more performance: Friday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. (Pacific). More info
2020 ShortFest Official Selection Announced
2020 ShortFest will be a virtual event this year. The Official Selection has been announced [learn more] 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
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
COVID-19 survey for PLWHIV
HARP-PS needs your help with a survey to see how people with HIV ≥ 50 currently living in the Coachella Valley are coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an online survey that should take about 20 minutes, asking questions about your health, mental health, and day-to-day needs. You’ll get a $10 gift card for completing the survey. 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.
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 48
Host John Taylor co-host comedian Shann Carr and the I Love Gay Palm Springs team Brad Fuhr of GayDesertGuide.com, Jimmy Boegle of CVIndependent.com and Dr. Laura Rush welcome Cifton Tatum and Andre Carthen from Brothers of the Desert and Nino Eilets from theStandardPS.com as we try to move forward together as a community with justice, unity and love. [Listen] or [Watch]