Remember two months ago when St. Patrick’s Day was unceremoniously taken away as bars were ordered to close? Yes, it was just two months ago. I was reviewing the Daily Digests put out by Coachella Valley Independent’s Jimmy Boegle and it’s a time capsule of sorts to what we were doing as the world shut down. We’re slowly reopening and will be talking about the upcoming “virtual” Memorial Day weekend ahead on this week’s #ILoveGayPalmSprings podcast with me, Shann Carr, John Taylor and Mr. Boegle. Below we give you a look at what’s happening this early week and remember Harvey Milk.
And we’re getting ready to announce a series of virtual events for both fun and commerce. Look for details on our new series including Speed Dating, a Murder Mystery and a Virtual Big Gay Trivia game kicking off June, Pride month. Our series for businesses starts with a webinar on “Smart Phones, Smart Speakers, Smart TVs And Other Smart Advertising”.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
DBA Virtual Networking Mixer
Join the Desert Business Association for another DBA Virtual Networking Mixer on Monday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. using Zoom. They will will begin with a bit of sharing about what is going on within our business community, and then expand to our communities in general, with roundtable chat and check-in, as well as a discussion of what types of virtual sessions you’d like to see in the future. More info
Desert Stonewall Democrats May Meeting
The Desert Stonewall Democrats’ May meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday May 19 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Confirmed guests include Palm Springs Mayor Geoff Kors, who will speak on the recent city council votes regarding COVID-19, and Dr Les Zendle will provide an update on the Desert Healthcare District, new COVID-19 testing sites and what people can expect when they get tested. He will also give advice on the best source for facts on COVID-19. 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:
The LGBT Community Center of the Desert and Eisenhower Health present Mix and Match Meal Prep, a Virtual Zoom Meeting on Wednesday, May 20 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Traditional meal prep/planning is good in theory but the idea of eating the same meal every day can become truly boring. What if you could find a way to “mix and match” your food so that you could create a variety of meals you are sure to enjoy? Join Bec McDorman, MS, RDN to learn how. More info
PALS Cafe Goes Virtual
What is a PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors) CAFÉ? It’s a virtual & completely safe place where you can enjoy a heaping piece of hearty laughter, lots of homemade conversations, and helpful insights while getting to virtually visit with many of your PALS! You are invited to join this group every Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Follow our link for more details and a quick primer on Zoom [here].
Wednesday is National Rescue Dog Day
May 20 is proudly observed annually as National Rescue Dog Day. The observance was founded by Tails That Teach, Inc. to bring awareness to the countless number of amazing dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted, to promote humane education for young children, and to encourage spay/neuter. Celebrate by sharing your feelings about rescue dogs on social media and use: #nationalrescuedogday and if you can, donate to organizations like Animal Samaritans and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Woof!
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 45
Host John Taylor and comedian Shann Carr are joined by GayDesrtGuide.com’s Brad Fuhr, CVIndependent.com’s Jimmy Boegle and Dr. Laura Rush for a weekly conversation on what’s happening in #ILoveGayPalmSprings. This week’s special guests include: OnTheRocksRadio.com host and Metrosource columnist Alexander Rodriguez, Megan Goehring from the Coachella Valley Certified Farmer’s Market and Debra Ann Mumm from createcentercv.org. [Listen] or [Watch]
Reel Women’s Film Festival Goes Virtual
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
Ask Me Anything: Leather Edition
Join The LGBT Community Center of the Desert for the first of their “Ask Me Anything” series starting this Friday, May 22 from 7:00–8:30 p.m. on Zoom. The evening’s guest will be Mr. Palm Springs Leather 2020, Charlie Harding. He will be taking questions and bringing fun and connection to the leather community. More info
Harvey Milk Day
This Friday is Harvey Milk Day, and it would have been the late gay supervisor’s 90th birthday. While a block party was originally planned in celebration, event organizers have pivoted to include a much wider audience by moving “Harvey Milk’s 90th Birthday Block Party” online, on Friday, May 22 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. More info
HUMP! Film Fest Livestream
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 with dates from May 9 through June 12. Hosted by Dan Savage. More info
LGBTQ Community Survey
If you haven’t already, please take part in the Community Marketing & Insights (CMI) 14th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey. For over a decade, this survey has provided free data to help non-profits, universities, and organizations better understand and serve the LGBTQ community. Participation in this survey gives important feedback to our LGBTQ community media and organizations, and provides data to companies interested in serving our community, sponsoring our charities, and supporting their LGBTQ employees. Think of it as the gay census! [Click here] to start the survey
