One of the events I look forward to each year, is The Center’s “Info A Go Go”, where our local organizations gather to connect with you and fellow LGBTQ community members. It’s to let you know about the services, volunteer opportunities and events that take place in our wonderful Coachella Valley.
As with everything, the event has gone virtual this year and happens over two days next week. if you are new to the area, have some time on your hands (don’t we all!) or just want to connect with like-minded people, this is your opportunity.
And I simply must – for posterity – include one quote from Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman at the Presidential Inauguration Jan 20, 2021. Ending her oratory, “The Hill We Climb” is this:
“The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity
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The I Love Gay Palm Springs Podcast is also available on Apple TV, Roku TV, Amazon FireTV and Android devices via OutAt.tv. Tune in Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to stream us to your TV. (Also available on demand)
Roar! It’s a bear party and all are invited! Gay Desert Guide’s Fun & Game Dept. and TheMenEvent.com present Bowties & Bears Brunch Speed Dating with Alexander Rodriguez on Sunday, January 24 at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. Bears, cubs, otters, pandas, wolves, and even salmon are invited to put on your best bow tie and join us for our special brunch edition of Speed Dating. We’ll make it a dapper day with quick dates, fun ice breakers, and plenty of honey. (What’s a salmon? Join us and find out!) Get tickets
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For Our Protection: Black Queer Communities & Healing
Join The Brothers of the Desert for an online presentation, For Our Own Protection: Black Queer Communities & Healing and discussion about mental health on Saturday, January 23 from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. What does healing mean for Black queer men, and Black queer folks broadly? How do we want to feel in our relationships with each other and ourselves? What needs to happen to help us get closer to that vision? In this writing and practice workshop, participants will explore these themes and more. Free event, registration required. Guest speaker: Yolo Akili Robinson (pictured). More info
Finding Freedom LGBTQi+ Symposium 2021
The 6th annual Finding Freedom Conference takes place January 20–23 with this year’s theme: Expanding Perspectives in LGBTQi+ Mental Health & Addiction Treatment. The Symposium is presented as a hybrid Virtual Conference plus local intimate events and it’s about bringing forward relevant information for best practices in supporting the LGBTQi+ community with co-occurring disorders. The conference is open to the community, treatment professionals, doctors, therapists, and anyone who is interested in the unique issues facing sexual identity and co-occurring disorders treatment. More info
Seven Essential Conversations
PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBT Seniors) presents Own Your Future! Seven Essential Conversations on Saturday, January 23 at 10:00 a.m. Planning ahead before a health issue requires conversations with oneself and others. Learn about the conversations that are essential to have now, when & how to have them, and why, at the same time, they enrich your connection with friends and loved ones. Learn more
Mental Amusements from Dezart Performs
The first live streaming event from Dezart Performs is award-winning mentalist Vinny DePonto, welcoming you to “Mental Amusements,” his magnificently crafted carnival designed exclusively for the virtual stage. Imagine having your mind controlled, your secret thoughts revealed and predictions made about your imminent future — all through the screen and from your own home! Performances run through Sunday, January 24. Check out the trailer [here] and get tickets [here].
Info-A-Go-Go 2021
Pandemic or no pandemic the 4th Annual Info-A-Go-Go will take place in 2021 with a new twist. The LGBTQ Center of the Desert presents Info-A-Go-Go from 1:00–2:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 26 and 27. This event is a one-stop-shop for all things LGBTQ+ in the desert. Our community has so many amazing activities to become involved with and this is an opportunity to explore them all in one place…virtually and safely! Connect virtually with organizations such as: (just to name a few): The LGBT Sanctuary Palm Springs, PALS (Planning Ahead for LGBTQ Seniors}, The L-Fund, Bloom in the Desert Ministries UCC, Great Outdoors – Palm Springs, Desert Business Association, Brothers of the Desert, and Dezart Performs. And yours truly, Gay Desert Guide, will be presenting on the 27th! More info
Fun & Games Dept Events Coming Up
Get your tickets now for these Gay Desert Guide Fun & Games Dept. events coming soon! We are adding some fun twists to the Virtual Speed Dating format with themed nights hosted by Alexander Rodriguez and much more!
Have you been following our Gay Desert Guide crushes on social media? Every Monday and Wednesday we are highlighting our man and woman crushes, which vary from local to global. Our Man Crush Monday this week is Raphael Warnock and Woman Crush Wednesday is Lady Liberty! Click their image here to see a fun slideshow, and to keep up with all our crushes, follow @GayDesertGuide on Facebook and Instagram
Zoom Wine Tasting at Bouschet
Join the Bouschet crew for their Saturday Wine Tasting this week on Saturday, January 23 at 4:00 p.m. Featured this week: some favorite wines from the Trefethen Family Vineyards: 2019 Dry Riesling, 2018 Chardonnay, 2018 Merlot, Dragon’s Tooth (Red Blend), and 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon. All tastings include a gourmet food sampling specially selected and prepared by Tig & Co. The kit includes the wine samples, tasting notes and 10% off featured products. More info
NEXT WEEK: Meditation and Intuition Development Group Begins
The LGBTQ Center of the Desert is launching 8 weekly sessions of a Meditation and Intuition Development Group, starting Monday, January 25 at 2:30 p.m. By finding our inner gifts and tools to access a quiet peaceful place using meditation techniques, we can better achieve our goals in life. With this new program, Barbara Lippert will guide you to a peaceful place and access your own spiritual intuition and help better understand what can work best for you. More info
NEXT WEEK: The Reunion Project–COVID-19 and Vaccinations
The Reunion Project Webinar Series presents COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccinations: What Those of Us Living with HIV Need to Know on Tuesday, January 26 at 1:00 p.m. Interact with an inspiring panel of long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS, and learn the most up-to-the-minute information about COVID-19 from the National Institutes of Health. [Learn more] Panel includes:
Waheedah Shabazz-El, HIV Long-Term Survivor, Philadelphia, PA
Vanessa Johnson, HIV Long-Term Survivor, Washington, DC
Moises Agosto, NMAC, Treatment Director, Washington, DC
Reginald Brown, Board Member, VOCAL-NY
Dr. Carl W. Dieffenbach, National Institutes of Health, Director of the Division of AIDS
NEXT WEEK: 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:
It’s time for Grand Central! Located in the heart of downtown palm springs, they serve seasonally fresh, California cuisine with fun twist. Offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and full bar, Grand Central Palm Springs is your favorite locals spot. Save 40% with this HOT DEAL: Get a $25 gift card to Grand Central Palm Springs for just $15!Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Bear Wear, Monster Shakes, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Johannes, Il Giardino, Destination PSP, Pinocchio, Mary Pickford Theatre, Bouschet and more! See All Deals
