“It’s … with great hope that I declare Covid-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said today during a news conference from Geneva. While the emergency phase is over, COVID is here to stay as a disease. The WHO’s declaration comes just days before the U.S. public health emergency will expire on May 11.
We in the LGBTQ+ community have learned to live with AIDS, Monkeypox and other maladies. So COVID joins the list. I was in Purple Room this week and their staff still wear masks – by choice and by consensus. That has kept them healthy this season, and is certainly still advisable for those in contact with the public on a regular basis. But those of us who are “the public” rarely think about wearing a mask these days according to statistics.
The biggest threat to our community is, unfortunately, the spread of the disease of misinformation and disinformation. That’s been on display as the wave of anti-trans and anti-drag legislation has whipped many into a frenzy. It’s impacted Anheuser-Busch InBev for their use of Dylan Mulvaney as an influencer. Good news is that A-B will continue its support of LGBT rights organizations, said the company’s chief executive, Michel Doukeris.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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White Party Warm-Up Sunday Funday
White Party Palm Springs is coming next weekend, May 12–14 (Click for all the details!), but this weekend, Chill Bar is the place to be for a White Party pre-party! On Sunday, May 7 join KGAY’s John Taylor and the KGAY street team from 4–6 pm for an incredible “White Party Warm-Up Sunday Funday” with drink specials and go-go boys. Plus you can win White Party weekend passes valued at $500 each. The White Party Pre-Party at Chill Bar continues on until 9 pm with DJ Dawna Montell spinning. More info
Palm Springs Hot Rodeo
The Greater Palm Springs Rodeo Corporation presents the 2023 Palm Springs Hot Rodeo all weekend, May 4–7. On Friday, it’s a Pool Party & Games from 1–5 pm and Rodeo contestant registration from 5–8 pm at the host hotel, the Days Inn by Wyndham Palm Springs. Friday night happy hours and mixers will be at various bars in Palm Springs and Cathedral City, with Line Dancing lessons on Friday at 7 pm and open dance from 7:30–9:30 pm at Dance Ranch, plus the official Hot Rodeo Welcome Party from 8 pm–midnight at Tool Shed. The Hot Rodeo events take place Saturday and Sunday at A.C. Dysart Equestrian Center in Banning, and the fun continues Saturday night with Dancing Under the Stars from 7–11 pm at Oscar’s Downtown Palm Springs. The awards ceremony will be around 7 pm (or 2 hours following the final Rodeo event) on Sunday, at the Days Inn. See our event listing for more details: Get tickets
Boozehounds’ Cinco de Mayo Parking Lot Party
You and your best friend/s (the human kind as well) are invited to Boozehounds on Friday, May 5 for their Cinco de Mayo Parking Lot Party from 2–7 pm. The Party will be hosted by your favorite drag queen, Sabryna Williams, with live music, dancing, tacos, games, (drag) performances and of course, TEQUILA. Executive Chef Aric Lanna will head up the Pop Up Taco Station while DJ Chris DeJesus provides the beats. More info
Check out the Bars/Nightlife Page of Gay Desert Guide to see what’s happening at your favorite bar or club on Cinco de Mayo, or any day of the week!
Cinco de Mayo on El Paseo
The Shops on El Paseo present a Cinco de Mayo Festival on Friday, May 5 from 3–5 pm. Take a swing at giant piñatas to win sweet treats and gift cards, snap pictures with a friendly burro to benefit All Seated in a Barn, visit the photo booth for a fun keepsake, and enjoy festive live mariachi music, a churro bar, and of course refreshing beverages. Kids can also decorate their own maracas to take home. The day will also feature food and beverage specials from The Shops on El Paseo’s newest restaurant, Molé, which specializes in authentic Mexican food, as well as Porta Via, who will be celebrating their first anniversary on El Paseo. This is a free event but Registration is suggested. More info
A Cabbello: A Little Bach/A Lotta Bacharach
A Cabbello presents A little Bach/A Lotta Bacharach at 3 pm on Saturday, May 6, Sunday, May 7 and next Saturday, May 13 at PS UNDERGROUND, a unique, cabaret-style Palm Springs venue. Get ready to experience the creative geniuses of these two amazing composers, working centuries apart, who broke ground and smashed conventional ideas of form, harmonies, and in the case of Bacharach–songwriting. For many of us, this music was the soundtrack of our younger days. Come revel in his groundbreaking, sophisticated style which he perfected along with his lyricist Hal David, and their muse Dionne Warwick. You’ll hear some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s genius in re-imagined ways, too! Get tickets
Billy Porter – Black Mona Lisa Tour: Volume One
Grammy, Emmy, and 2x Tony winner Billy Porter brings passion and joy to Los Angeles with his first-ever career-spanning pop music concert tour, The Black Mona Lisa Tour: Volume 1 on Saturday, May 6 at 8 pm at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Expect a full band, backed by a video installation, fronted by Billy Porter telling his life story through song. This 90-minute powerhouse event will feature his chart-topping hits “Love Is on the Way” and “Love Yourself,” a tinge of Broadway, a nod to Pose, and stunning performances of future pop classics from his forthcoming new album, Black Mona Lisa. Get tickets
Drag Isn’t Dangerous – A Live Telethon
The organizers of Drag Isn’t Dangerous, the biggest fundraising effort to combat recent anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation to date, present a Live Telethon Broadcast worldwide on Sunday, May 7 at 4 pm PDT at moment.co/dangerous. Hosted by a wide range of drag performers and celebrities, the event will feature a mix of live and pre-taped performances, appearances, and testimonials from drag performers, LGBTQIA+ entertainers and celebrity allies, as well as a live celebrity phone bank accepting callers’ donations. All net proceeds from the event will be divided among approved charities that support LGBTQIA+ causes and drag performers in need, especially in states where they face discrimination and bans. More info
Dante’s Drag Race Recaps Are Coming Back
Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto is back on the beat and gearing up to offer weekly recaps of the upcoming Season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. Check out his preview of the thirteen queens returning from earlier seasons to compete for a spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame, as well as some thoughts on why this is a time when, as Dante writes, “Now more than ever, it’s vital to stand up for and celebrate the drag and trans communities.” Read the full preview [here].
Desert Stonewall Democrats Spring Picnic in the Park
Desert Stonewall Democrats present their Spring Picnic in the Park on Saturday, May 6 from 11 am–2 pm at Ruth Hardy park. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs will be provided, along with a vegan option. You are invited to bring an appetizer, a side dish, or a dessert. Look for the signs and tents on the south side along Tamarisk Road; RSVP requested. More info
Equality California’s Spring Soirée
Equality California presents their Spring Soirée on Saturday, May 6, from 12–2 pm at a private home in Palm Springs for a lovely afternoon, complemented with a bright (cooling) beverage and light Sunday Brunch bites. Support of Equality California –and the greater LGBTQ+ community– has led them to nearly 25 years of protecting and advancing LGBTQ+ civil rights, but work must continue together and support a future that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. This complimentary event is generously hosted by Sam & Ashan Leslie with featured speaker, Councilwoman (and EQCA endorsed candidate for CA State Senate), Lisa Middleton. More info
Superbloom! An Art Exhibition
The Desert Art Center presents Superbloom! An Art Exhibition, opening on Friday, May 5, from 5–7 pm. Members of the Desert Art Center submitted artwork celebrating this special season of superbloom in the desert and all are invited to the enjoy opening reception on Friday or to see throughout the weekend, May 5–7 from 10am–4pm. More info
The Boys in the Band
The BENT in association with Palm Springs Cultural Center present The Boys in the Band, performing through May 7 as the grand finale of their first season as Palm Springs new LGBTQ+ theater. Written by Mart Crowley, this is “the” play that defined gay theater when it premiered Off-Broadway in 1968. It is a ground-breaking portrayal of gay life in New York City during that era as a group of friends gather for a funny, but volatile birthday party that tests the boundaries of friendship. These iconic characters don’t always cast a pretty image of gay life in the 1960s, but they do skillfully reflect the pain, struggle and humanity of our past—much of which is still all too relevant today. Get tickets
CCBC Cinco de Mayo Pool Party
CCBC Resort invites you to a day-after Cinco de Mayo Pool Party on Saturday, May 6, from 12–4 pm. Day Passes are $60 per person and DJ Bobby will be entertaining poolside. More info
Check out all events on GayDesertGuide.com
