L-Fund has been one of those storied non-profits that literally started at someone’s kitchen table. It’s been a part of our alphabet since 2012, about the time I started Gay Desert Guide.
According to their website, “Each woman placed $20 into a basket for assisting lesbians. They soon had enough money to respond to the first L-Fund request to assist a lesbian with $120 for critical life-saving medicine.”
The L-Fund has been in discussions with The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (“The Center”) about a possible merger. As they grow and contemplate a bigger future, there will be two town halls in early October to hear from stakeholders. The Center is doing great work and continues to grow and expand LGBTQ+ services in a time when others have stepped back.
(REAF has once again chosen The L-Fund to be one of the beneficiaries of their annual party October 18 and tickets are available on our Events Page.)
Women are also in the spotlight this weekend with the final “Dinah” produced by founder Mariah Hansen. Her groundbreaking work to promote this social lesbian event is known worldwide and has helped make Palm Springs the inclusive destination it is known for. While the future of the event remains open, this year’s Dinah promises a once-in-a-generation sendoff. A tip of the golf cap to Mariah and her team!
Women don’t frequent Arenas like men do. They don’t have clothing-optional resorts and aren’t as visible as we men tend to be. But in the background, quietly sometimes, they are just as big a part of our community. They deserve greater recognition and support from the rest of us.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you reside!
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The Dinah
The Dinah returns for the end of an era this weekend with a landmark celebration at the Riviera Resort & Spa—marking the final edition produced by founder Mariah Hanson after 34 groundbreaking years. While the future of the event remains open, this year’s Dinah promises a once-in-a-generation sendoff led by L Word icons Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, alongside Princess Nokia, Crystal Waters, SkyDxddy, Xana and many more performers and special guests. A pillar of queer culture and Palm Springs nightlife, The Dinah’s 2025 lineup honors Hanson’s legacy with unforgettable music, community, and desert magic. Get tickets
Cinema Diverse Weekend 2
Cinema Diverse returns for the second weekend of its eighteenth edition, celebrating LGBTQ+ voices through bold, timely storytelling and cinematic artistry, all weekend long at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This weekend’s screenings offer a rich tapestry of love, resilience, and identity. Friday sets the tone with A Portrait of Love, Lolita, and Papi’s Pregnant, culminating in the powerful triptych Surviving Voices and a special panel discussion. Saturday and Sunday bring standout titles that explore queer love, family, and personal transformation—Row of Life and Until the Silence deliver emotional depth and cinematic beauty, while Sunday’s lineup, including Where You Find Me, Viet and Nam, and Bob Morgan’s Just Going to Tell some Stories, celebrates rebellion, tenderness, and lived experience with unforgettable storytelling…and there’s much more, too! Get tickets
Cans ‘N Kibble Pet Food Drive
The Palm Springs Animal Shelter hosts its Cans ‘N Kibble Pet Food Drive on Friday, September 26 from 10 am–3 pm, supporting the Rick Erwin Pet Food Bank’s mission to keep pets with their families during times of need. Volunteers will be stationed across the Coachella Valley to collect essential kibble and canned food—no treats, just the basics. Donations help reduce shelter surrenders and ensure beloved companions stay fed and cared for. Monetary contributions are also welcome and will be used to purchase needed supplies. More info
This Weekend at The Purple Room
The Purple Room turns up the volume and the laughs this weekend with musical mischief and campy charm. On Friday and Saturday, September 26–27, The Skivvies return with Mashmaker, Mashmaker!—a genre-defying, comedy-pop mashup featuring Broadway’s Lauren Molina and Nick Cearley. Known for stripping down both arrangements and attire, this undie-rock duo delivers powerhouse vocals, unexpected covers, and surprise guests. Then on Sunday, September 28 at 7 pm, Michael Holmes brings the glitz and wit of The Judy Show! to life, channeling Judy Garland and a rotating cast of Hollywood legends in a riotous blend of parody, standards, and high camp. Get tickets
Mister Mr. Kink Announcement Party
Mr. Kink Rentals presents the Mister Mr. Kink Announcement Party on Sunday, September 28 from 7–10 pm at Dick’s on Arenas. The Pup Hades will be officially crowned as the first-ever Mister Mr. Kink in a night celebrating leather, pride, and purpose. Guests can expect a raffle for sexy prizes, a live mystery underwear auction benefiting the Transgender Health & Wellness Center, and a kinky photo booth hosted by Morgan Tufts. DJ Honey Davenport will keep the dance floor pulsing with filthy beats. Attendees are encouraged to dress in kink gear, fetish fashion, or come as their most authentic selves. More info
Riverside County 62nd Anniversary Reception – Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest marks its 62nd anniversary with a Riverside County Cocktail Reception on Friday, September 26 from 5:30–7:30 pm at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs. Guests will hear from featured speaker Jenny Black, the organization’s new President & CEO, whose decades of leadership have shaped reproductive health care across some of the nation’s most challenging regions. Get tickets
Concert for Autism Series
The 18th Annual Concert for Autism kicks off its multi-week music series on Friday, September 26 from 7:30–9:30 pm at Coachella Valley Brewing Co. in Thousand Palms. This opening night sets the tone for a season of live performances benefiting the Desert Autism Foundation, culminating in the Main Event at Big Rock Pub in Indio on Saturday, October 25. With additional concerts scheduled at The Hood Bar & Pizza and Coachella Valley Brewing Co. in October, the series invites the community to come together in support of autism awareness through music and connection. More info
Celebrating Meat Loaf
Celebrating Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Helloween roars into The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Friday, September 26 at 8 pm. This electrifying concert features the original band members who powered Meat Loaf’s legendary sound, joined by powerhouse vocalist Caleb Johnson. Audiences will be treated to a high-octane setlist of classics like “Bat Out of Hell” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light,” plus a second set of Rocky Horror hits including “Hot Patootie.” Created and produced by longtime collaborator Paul Crook, this is the only show officially endorsed by Meat Loaf himself. Get tickets
Pan’s Labyrinth at Sunnylands
Sunnylands’ Films in the Gardens series wraps up on Friday, September 26 from 7:30–9:30 pm with a screening of Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnics for a spooky night beneath the trees. Gates open at 6 pm, and snacks and drinks will be available from the café until 8:30 pm. Presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, this free outdoor event offers a haunting cinematic escape in the gardens. More info
Big Bear Film Fest Preview Weekend
The Big Bear Film Fest Preview Weekend runs Thursday–Saturday, September 25–27, transforming Big Bear Lake into a high-altitude celebration of storytelling, innovation, and community. Highlights include Wingman, John Candy: I Like Me, Stop the Insanity, and a horror double-feature with special guests. With talkbacks, mixers, and Frame & Frequency concerts, this mountain retreat sets the stage for BBFF’s full relaunch in March 2026. Get tickets
Vote KGAY and Local Favorites for Best of Coachella Valley!
CV Independent’s Best of Coachella Valley 2025–2026 has opened their Final Round Ballot—Thank you for the incredible support and strong showing in this year’s nominations—now’s the time to vote and help spotlight your favorites to win! Our contenders include: KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 and 103.1 MeTV FM in Life in the Valley > Best Radio Station, John Taylor, Patrick Evans, and Chris Shebel in Life in the Valley > Best Local Radio Personality, and our dynamic DJ trio—DJ Galaxy, DJ Eric Ornelas, and Modgirl—in Arts > Best Local DJ. Nominations will be accepted through Sunday, October 29. Cast your vote today!
Greater Palm Springs Spa Month
Greater Palm Springs Spa Month continues, delivering a full month of revitalizing wellness offerings at the region’s most iconic resorts and spas. With more than 100 luxurious deals now live, guests can indulge in discounted massages, facials, overnight spa stays, and yoga sessions—all designed to soothe the senses and harness the restorative spirit of the desert. Whether you’re planning a peaceful solo getaway or a rejuvenating retreat with friends, Spa Month invites you to relax and renew. Advance booking is highly encouraged. More info
ALSO THIS WEEKEND
Friday, September 26
Drag Bingo/Trivia Nights (alternating) | 4:30–7 pm at Arrive Hotel
Food Truck Fridays | 5–10 pm in Downtown Indio
Saturday, September 27
Solar Sessions at Royal Sun Palm Springs | 12–6 pm
Country Dance Saturdays: Beginner Shadow with Rob Ollander-Krane | 7 pm at Step by Step
Jerry Seinfeld | 8 pm at The Show
