It’s that Good News/Bad News dichotomy: Southwest Airlines started new service on Sunday and others are expanding their schedules for season. Now as we approach Thanksgiving, have great weather for outdoor dining and recreation comes this news from Visit California: “California, along with Oregon and Washington, issued travel advisories recommending against out-of-state travel and encouraging visitors to quarantine for 14 days. It’s important to note that hotels remain open for leisure travel, just as they have in most counties since June 12.”
They go on to state: “The advisory recommends Californians returning to the state after non-essential travel to quarantine for 14 days upon return to minimize the threat of circulating the virus in the state.” The advisory ends with the obvious: “Long-term stability and recovery for our businesses and the state will not be possible until the pandemic is under control.”
I spent time walking Palm Springs over the weekend, dining at Il Giardino, Rick’s, Lulu and Grand Central to get a better feel of both individual restaurant protocol and how the visitors were behaving. The latter: C-. The former: an A! But the streets are looking much better with the new configuration and police were enforcing the mask mandate on Sunday.
Let’s keep our masks on, hand sanitizer at our side like a six-gun from a Western movie, and encourage our visitors to do the same.
#WearADamnMask
#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
This Weekend: McCormick’s 69th Palm Springs Classic Car Auction
McCormick’s Classic Car Show and Auction of classic, vintage and muscle cars will take place Friday–Sunday, November 20–22 on the grounds of the Palm Springs Convention Center. This will be a live, in person auction in the usual outdoor location, operating under all CDC guidelines to protect everyone involved. Prices range from just $3000 to over $250,000. General public & dealers welcome. Friday is FREE, Saturday & Sunday $15 each or $25 for all days. More info
Creating For the Stage with Dezart Performs
Dezart Performs presents a special free virtual series, Creating for the Stage: Discussions with the People that Make Shows Happen, online every Wednesday through December 2. Featuring actors, designers, creatives, playwrights and directors from their sold out 2019-20 season, the series is optimistic proof of the group’s mission this year: Still Here … and Dreaming. This week, Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m.: Meet the Cast Members with “Hand to God” actors Eddie Vona, Yo Younger and Danny Gomez. More info
Transgender People of Color: A Discussion
The Transgender Community Coalition and the Transgender Health and Wellness Center present Transgender People of Color: A Discussion on Social, Racial & Gender Justice, on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Transgender People of Color face the highest rate of racial injustice and murder in this nation. They face one of the highest rates of employment discrimination, homelessness, HIV diagnoses, harassment, family rejection and are murdered at a staggering rate of almost one per week in America. We share their stories to help us become a better ally. More info
Desert Stonewall Democrats November Meeting
Desert Stonewall Democrats’ November Meeting will feature the topic: The “B” in LGBTQ+: What’s Behind Biphobia? on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. Biphobia, which is defined as the fear, intolerance, and hatred of people who identify as bisexual, can be particularly harmful for bi youth who live at the intersection of multiple identities, compromising their mental health and safety. This meeting will address why bisexuality makes so many uncomfortable and why it is important to call out discrimination, especially within our own community. Also at this meeting: a look at how endorsed candidates did on November 3rd, and where congratulations are in order. More info
The Economic Future of the Coachella Valley
The Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, Palm Springs Life, and SBEMP Attorneys wraps up their 9-part series on Wednesday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. Each week, they have been exploring how the Coachella Valley will bounce back from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This installment, “The Future is Economic Diversity,” asks the question: Is the region too dependent on tourism? Joe Wallace of CVEP and his guests discuss how to diversify the economy of the Coachella Valley.. More info
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Great Outdoors Hiking Virtual Tour
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert and The Great Outdoor Adventures presents Hiking Adventures – Favorite Hikes on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. Discover some of the best hikes located in and near the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountains. Popular trails as well as less traveled trails will be featured. Learn about the flora, fauna and unique geological features found along the way. Historical and early mining points of interest will also be included. This PowerPoint presentation will feature some of the most remarkable and interesting trails. More info
Demystifying the HPV Virus
The LGBTQ Center of the Coachella Valley and Eisenhower Health present Demystifying the HPV Virus on Wednesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m. Please join Jon Colbert, NP for a discussion of what you can do to help decrease your chances of getting HPV and the different types of cancer linked to it. You will get answers to common questions about HPV, HPV infection, and how HPV testing is used. More info
Community Conversation: Let’s Talk about Race
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert presents Community Conversation: Let’s Talk about Race on Wednesday, November 18 at 12:00 pm. Hosted by Lex Ortega, this virtual space is designed to get us all talking together about race, and more critically, about White Supremacy, anti-Blackness, and more. You might feel more familiar with these terms and ideas, or you might be at the beginning of your journey. Wherever you are, this is an opportunity for us to move through it together. More info
Theatre Thursday: The Importance of Being Earnest
CVRep’s Theatre Thursday presents The Importance of Being Earnest on Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 p.m. This two-hour staged reading of the Oscar Wilde play is directed by Charles Pasternak who will also play the role of Algernon. The stellar cast also includes: Earnestine Phillips (Lady Bracknell), Scott Wentworth (Dr. Chesuble), Marion Adler (Miss Prism), Jono Eiland (Jack), Charlotte Munson (Gwendolyn), Cindy Nguyen (Cecily) and Will Block (Merriman). Set in the late Victorian London, the high farce and witty dialogue have made The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde’s most enduringly popular play. More info
Broadway Game Night Happy Hour with Luis Villabon
Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Games Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Broadway Game Night Happy Hour with guest co-host Luis Villabon on Friday, November 20 at 4:00 p.m. Miss seeing Broadway? Need some fun games to end the week? We kick off the weekend with a special Happy Hour celebrating Broadway with theater themed Fun and Games. Put on your musical lovers hat for some Broadway FUN! We’ll have several rounds of easy competitions featuring things like Hangman, Easy Trivia and A Friendly Feud! Your host will lead the group through fun conversations and the games. Get tickets
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 – Mondays at 11:00 a.m.
Zumba for Beginners with Shaun Samaro – Mondays at 10:00 a.m.
Managing Emotions During a Pandemic with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.
Conversational Spanish with Guillermo Biro – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m.
Prostate Cancer Support Group – 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m.
Trans Tuesdays with Jill Hingston, Ph.D – Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual Hangout with Miguel Navarro – Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.
Seated Wellness with Lynn Simonson – Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Women’s Chat with Kim Kieler – Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Men’s Chat with Stuart Huggins – Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Who Cares: Caregiver Support Group with Perry Wiggins – Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Making Connections During COVID: Men’s Discussion Group with Arlen Keith Leight, LCSW, Ph.D
1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
Full list of The Center’s Zoom programs [here]
I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast – Episode 71
The new fall season starts with John Taylor, comedian Shann Carr, Brad Fuhr from GayDesertGuide.com, Jimmy Boegle from CVIndependent.com. Dr. Laura Rush, activist Ruth Debra of desert-stonewall.org, Jacki Tringali Nunes of UPS Store Palm Springs, and Andre Carthen of brothersofthedesert.org.
[Listen] or [Watch]
** Desert AIDS Project Offers Free At-Home HIV Tests: [Get Yours] **
Buddy 2 Buddy Program Launches
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert is launching a new program, Buddy 2 Buddy, to provide companionship and emotional support for LGBTQ people in need of connection in these uncertain times in which we live. B2B volunteers are trained to provide support through telephone visits with their Buddies. B2B volunteers and Buddies are matched using criteria such as interests, location etc. If you are interested in being a Buddy or receiving calls email charles@thecentercv.org or call 760-416-7790 ext. 158.
THIS WEEKEND
Gay Virtual Speed Dating for Men of All Ages with Alexander Rodriguez
GayDesertGuide.LGBT & TheMenEvent.com present Gay Virtual Speed Dating for Men of ALL Ages Hosted by Alexander Rodriguez on Saturday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. Speed dating has never been more fun! We will make introductions, and you go on several short one-on-one dates (each lasting 5-6 minutes) then mingle with everyone with a fun game and have real conversation about dating. This event is exclusively for Gay men of ALL Ages. Get tickets
Hey ladies!–Our Virtual Speed Dating for Women of All Ages is Wednesday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m.!
Reel Women’s Film Festival
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest presents the Reel Women’s Film Festival between Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, December 6, celebrating its 7th anniversary virtually this year by streaming online. Your attendance can help support sexual and reproductive health care services for women, ensuring that patients have access to high-quality, non-judgmental care—no matter what. Get tickets
Care About Care?
PALS/Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors presents Care About Care? All About Care Options, Costs, and Management on Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 a.m. One thing’s clear: we’ll all need care at some point. Where is care provided? Who pays for this care? How is care managed? What conversations do we need to have regarding care? Let’s talk! Panel includes: Leann Dale, President, Senior Living Options of the Desert and Richard Bass, Coordinator, PALS. More info