Forty Years of Palm Springs Pride: Executive Director Jasmine Sullivan-Waits Promises That Despite Financial Struggles, Pride Will Always ‘Find a Way’ Avatar photo by Kevin Fitzgerald November 2, 2026 Facebook X Photo courtesy of Greater Palm Springs Pride Greater Palm Springs Pride’s 40th anniversary celebration will culminate on the long “weekend” of Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 8, with the free festival in downtown Palm Springs, and entertainment offered at multiple venues. “We’re so excited to be celebrating 40 years,” said Palm Springs Pride executive director Jasmine Sullivan-Waits during a recent interview. “Our theme this year is ‘Be Included,’ and I think it is extremely fitting for a 40-year anniversary, where part of the LGBTQ+ community feels excluded from a lot of places and things in society right now.” While a number of ticketed satellite events take place over that weekend, the main events and activities sponsored by the Palm Springs Pride nonprofit organization will all be free of charge. This year’s entertainment headliners at the festival are recording artist and TV personality Aubrey O’Day, and country group The Cowgays; entertainment will be spread throughout downtown on three stages. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 8. “Sometimes there can be a perception of what a pride (celebration) is, and Palm Springs Pride works really hard to create spaces for families,” Sullivan-Waits said. “We have a senior zone, and we have a people-in-recovery zone. We’ve got a youth zone for young adults … and then we have a children’s village for children and families. … There is a lot that’s welcoming for all people at Palm Springs Pride.” Sullivan-Waits became executive director of Palm Springs Pride on Sept. 1, 2025, after 20 years as the city of Palm Springs’ special events coordinator—where, among other tasks, she oversaw VillageFest. She said she works closely with Ron deHarte, the longtime Palm Springs Pride president. Pride on the Page: Saturday, Nov. 14 “Ron is extremely intelligent and extremely talented, and he has produced Palm Springs Pride for maybe 15 or 16 years,” Sullivan-Waits said. “I think people forget that I actually worked with Ron (during) my work with the city, so we’ve worked together for many, many years, and we had a fairly good working relationship already. Working alongside him now has been a learning experience, because he has such institutional knowledge of not only Palm Springs Pride, but pride organizations across the country. … Being able to work alongside him this last year has been very, very impactful, and I have taken in a great deal of information that I hope will help guide me in the next whatever amount of years that I am lucky enough to lead this organization.” When asked what her biggest challenge has been since taking the Palm Springs Pride job just more than a year ago, she mentioned financial shortfalls. “We’ve lost a lot of corporate sponsorships over the last two years,” Sullivan-Waits observed. “Last year, I came in and the organization was down $240,000 (in funding), and then this year, we’re down another $100,000—so that is significant in trying to program a three- to four-day festival that the community and visitors anticipate. Trying to match what we’ve done in the past with far less revenue coming in has been a significant challenge. I’m always up for a challenge. Luckily, my background has allowed me to think a little more diversely about how we can generate some revenue streams. … I’m hoping that we were able to bridge some of the financial gap this year (due to) some really great community sponsors who stepped up in our very important moment of need.” While similar financial struggles have led to the cancellation of pride festivals in cities ranging from Tampa, Fla., to Tucson, Ariz., to Long Beach, Sullivan-Waits promised that Palm Springs Pride is here to stay. “Because the federal government has said ‘we will not support businesses who have DEI initiatives and support such policies or guidelines,’ it naturally has trickled down … and we have felt that impact at Palm Springs Pride.” Palm Springs Pride executive director Jasmine Sullivan-Waits “We will find a way,” Sullivan-Waits said. “Not only is Pride important for our local LGBTQ+ community, but I think people forget that Palm Springs is known worldwide as a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community. Year-round, we have to maintain a sense of visibility, and a sense of welcoming, and the Palm Springs Pride weekend is a bit of a catalyst for that. We will continue to do the work that is needed, so that Palm Springs as a whole (can) continue to be seen in the way that Palm Springs has worked so hard (to be seen) over the years.” Sullivan-Waits cited the anti-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) stance being pushed by the Trump administration as a primary factor in the loss of corporate support for pride celebrations around the country. “When you have a federal government that prohibits anything associated with DEI,” said Sullivan-Waits, “it naturally becomes part of corporate policy. So, because the federal government has said ‘we will not support businesses who have DEI initiatives and support such policies or guidelines,’ it naturally has trickled down … and we have felt that impact at Palm Springs Pride. Organizations across the country are feeling it. It’s very, very sad.” Sullivan-Waits said two local entities in particular went above and beyond to help out Greater Palm Springs Pride in 2026. “P.S. Resorts really stepped up their financial contributions to Palm Springs Pride,” Sullivan Waits said. (According to the P.S. Resorts website, the organization is “a nonprofit mutual benefit corporation representing the hotels within the city of Palm Springs. … Our mission is to create, support, and enhance events, attractions and initiatives that drive tourism, strengthen the local economy, and promote Palm Springs as a premier destination for visitors from around the world.”) “They more than doubled their annual contribution, because they very much understand the value of Pride, not only for a weekend, but the entire economic impact that it has for a few days before Pride, and a few days after Pride,” Sullivan-Waits said. “That economic impact to Palm Springs is huge. We have repeat tourism of folks who have been to Pride … and they felt welcomed, and they felt safe. They knew that this was a place that they wanted to come back to.” The other group that stepped up: Arenas Road bars/clubs that allowed Palm Springs Pride to sell passes allowing purchasers to skip to the front of the line during Pride. (This year’s passes, which cost $100, have already sold out.) “It helped us last year when we had a pretty significant loss in corporate sponsorship,” Sullivan-Waits said. “They are allowing us to host that fundraiser again this year, which is a significant contribution to the revenue stream to produce Palm Springs Pride at the level that our community and our visitors want to see, and be a part of.” Sullivan-Waits said she’s looking for ways to further diversify funding streams for future Greater Palm Springs Pride events. “In this moment, Palm Springs Pride is pivoting,” said. “We understand the importance of the work that Palm Springs Pride does in this community, and not only during Pride weekend. … There are lots of programs that we both facilitate and participate in year-round. … That includes Safe Schools of the Desert. The Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast is a huge fundraiser for Safe Schools of the Desert, and we will continue to put in the work so that we can be a part of these important components of Palm Springs as a community. Yes, we are challenged—and we are up for the challenge, and we will continue to do what is necessary to make sure that we can provide for our community.” Learn more at pspride.org. Become a Supporter of the Independent! Marilyn Rainbow - Photo Greater Palm Springs Pride
Marilyn Rainbow - Photo Greater Palm Springs Pride
Website for Coachella Valley Independent
This story first appeared in Coachella Valley Independent

As Palm Springs Pride marks its 40th anniversary, a compelling interview from the Coachella Valley Independent takes a closer look at the challenges and determination shaping one of the region’s most important LGBTQ+ celebrations. Executive Director Jasmine Sullivan-Waits discusses declining corporate sponsorships, the importance of year-round visibility, and why Palm Springs Pride remains committed to serving the entire community despite financial hurdles. It’s an insightful read that highlights both the economic impact and enduring significance of Pride in Greater Palm Springs. Click through to read the full article from the Coachella Valley Independent and learn how organizers are working to ensure Pride continues to thrive for years to come.

[Read the full article at cvindependent.com]

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Palm Springs Pride Celebrates 40 Years While Facing Funding Challenges

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