Gay Desert Guide: Week of Jun 10, 2024

Pride continues to be celebrated this June, but has been muted corporately after last year’s backlash against Target and Budweiser, among others. I was dismayed to read a Forbes article, Companies Blasted For Supporting LGBTQ Pride Last Year—Like Nike And Target—Appear To Pull Back In 2024.

Quietly, many corporations aren’t even posting Pride month messages on social media, the article tells us. There’s no need to boycott any of these companies, but we should be raising our voices to offset the backlash. Our LGBTQ+ annual purchasing power is nearly $4 trillion dollars! We have a voice. That’s one of the reasons I created Gay Desert Guide’s business directory: so you could see locally who supports our community by reaching out to us. That’s why the Desert Business Association exists as well. If you’re a business owner and not a part of us, please consider joining.

Some good news from CBS Sunday Morning: A new study finds a substantial shift in American view on LGBTQ+ issues over an almost 40-year period. In 1985, 64% said they would be upset if a child was gay or lesbian. Today, that figure is just 14%.

Keep up the good fight…

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs

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Firebirds Advance to Calder Cup Finals

The Coachella Valley Firebirds have been crowned the Western Conference Champions and will advance to the Calder Cup Finals! The Firebirds defeated the Milwaukee Admirals in game five on Saturday night by the final score of 5-1 to win in the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals four games to one. In the Calder Cup Finals they will face either the Hershey Bears or the Cleveland Monsters, whoever wins the Eastern Conference Finals. Though dates are not yet set as of this writing, you can buy tickets for home games now, for Acrisure Arena where they recently honored LGBTQ+ Pride month with a “Pathway to Pride” rainbow crosswalk. Go Firebirds!

Benzaiten – TAIKOPROJECT

The McCallum Theatre presents Benzaiten – TAIKOPROJECT on Monday, June 10 at 3 pm. This isn’t your typical taiko group; they present a dynamic contemporary mix of taiko, music, storytelling, and choreography. Experience the thunderous resonance of authentic taiko drums alongside the delicate tones of bamboo flutes and the ethereal sounds of the koto. And of course, be prepared for their awe-inspiring centerpiece: a 350-pound mother drum that will quite literally make the earth tremble beneath your feet! Get tickets

Pride Night at Dodger Stadium

The annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium is Friday, June 14. The party starts at 5:10 pm in the Center Field Plaza with music and drink specials, and the special event ticket package includes a ticket to the game and an exclusive Dodgers LGBTQ+ jersey. Game starts at 7:10 pm against the Kansas City Royals. Get tickets

Cornerstones of Health

The Eisenhower Health Wellness Series presents Cornerstones of Health on Wednesday, June 12 from 4–5 pm on Zoom. Join Karen Stewart, RN, who will share information to highlight the 4 corners of sleep, exercise, nutrition and stress management. Objectives include the demonstration of their connectedness and resources to improve your health based on the cornerstones. More info

Let Love Be Your Guide

The McCallum Theatre presents Let Love Be Your Guide on Wednesday, June 12 at 3 pm. Grammy award-winning musician Dan Zanes and Haitian-American music therapist and jazz vocalist Claudia Zanes have been collaborating musically since their first meeting in 2016. Their distinctive all-ages electric folk sound is now enriched by the addition of jazz singer Tyree Austin. With electric guitar, three voices, percussion, flute, and trombone, their music intertwines the sounds of early rock and roll, jazz vocals, gospel, Haitian folk, sea shanties, and summer camp sing-alongs. Get tickets

LGBTQ+ Archives Pride Month Display

Happy Pride Month LGBTQ Archives of the Desert

The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert is showcasing some of its collection at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library in June in honor of National Pride Month. The Pride Month Display highlights the breadth and depth of the donations and acquisitions received during the last five years. The display includes publications, travel guides, commemorative pins, posters, and other memorabilia, viewable during the month of June during regular library hours: Monday–Sunday 10 am–6 pm, with extended hours on Thursday until 8 pm. More info

Cocktail Cinema: The Stepford Wives

The Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs International Film Society present Cocktail Cinema, a film series whose theme this season will be films that shed light on the dark side of suburban living, revealing the hidden struggles and tribulations behind the facade of the perfectly manicured lawns and white picket fences. Screenings are on Thursdays at 6 pm at the Annenberg Theater (with a 5 pm movie-inspired cocktail hour in the Meyerman Garden). The series kicks off on Thursday, June 13 with The Stepford Wives, with upcoming films including: Get Out (6/27), Edward Scissorhands (7/11), and Parasite (7/25). Get tickets

Villagefest Summer Hours

VillageFest, the Coachella Valley’s most popular weekly street fair which takes place every Thursday night along Palm Canyon Drive between Baristo and Amado Roads, runs year round, but with slightly adjusted summer hours, beginning an hour later to help beat the heat, running from 7 pm–10 pm from June through September. VillageFest attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world and offers more than 200 booths featuring eclectic art, handcrafted items and unique food. Shops, restaurants and galleries in the area also stay open late. More info

The Boy Who Could Sing Pictures

The McCallum Theatre presents The Boy Who Could Sing Pictures on Friday, June 14 at 3 pm. Meet Luca, son of the famed jester Bustelo. Yet Luca’s talent transcends expectations; his singing conjures breathtaking visions, unveiling the profound truths of the world and its inhabitants. Get ready to be carried off by this captivating tale and a tapestry of music woven from the works of Villa-Lobos, Piazzolla, Bach, and Beethoven, alongside original compositions by Daniel Kelly. Get tickets

Music Space Odyssey Big Screen Concert Experience

Join Leanna and the Free Agents for a Music Space Odyssey on Friday, June 14 at 6 pm and experience the other-worldly wonders of the galaxy. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Vegas Sphere, this is a similar concert experience, with the band set directly in front of the largest screen in the entire Coachella Valley. The visuals are stunning, the sounds of the live band and vocals of Leanna will take you to another place. Get tickets