“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” is a quote attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca. As we mark the last week of Pride month, I’m counting my lucky stars for all the press we have received this month. It’s unprecedented!
Last week, I was contacted by Fiona Ng from LAist, the NPR news organization heard locally on KPCC’s stations. She had just got wind of KGAY and K-Gay Desert Guide and wanted to know more. After interviews with Program Driector Chris Shebel and myself, the story broke over the weekend. It not only appeared on their website, clips also aired on KPCC.
Zig Ziglar said it another way — “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation”. KGAY may never have come about without the foundational work that I did with Gay Desert Guide. It will celebrate 11 full years of serving our community with events, LGBTQ+ news, and a well-supported business directory. It has supplanted the yellow pages and “gay rags” that have mostly gone away in the digital era.
I started the guide after a consulting project with Palm Springs Life 12 years ago hatched the idea. My many years in radio and publishing prepared me to take the plunge and start GayDesertGuide.LGBT. You’re reading it now – and the volume of information that we publish each week is truly amazing. My team curates content from around the world to bring readers and listeners recommendations and information for our LGBTQ+ communities.
So I’m thankful for the recognition we’ve received this year, starting with The New York Times, and followed this month by our segment of American Dream on HGTV, and now KPCC. The community support – including that of our advertisers – has truly been amazing. What a memorable Pride month this will be forever!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Pride Monument Community Meeting
Community members are invited to a community meeting and conceptual introduction to the Pride Monument, a permanent art installation in Palm Springs, on Tuesday, June 25 from 5–6 pm at Hunters Nightclub. The Pride Monument Board, an operating unit of Greater Palm Springs Pride, will present plans for a new large-scale public art installation to commemorate, honor, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions to the city. The goal is for the piece to be completed by 2026 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Pride in Palm Springs. Allison Jones, president, and other board members will facilitate the meeting. More info
Palm Springs International ShortFest Best of Fest Monday
The Palm Springs International Film Society wraps up the Palm Springs International ShortFest, celebrating its 30th year, with the Best of Fest on Monday, June 24 at the Regal Palm Springs. See the favorites, grouped into six programs, of one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America, including films that go on to be nominated for Academy Awards, BAFTAs and Goya awards. Get tickets
Firebirds in Calder Cup Finals
For the second year in a row, the Coachella Valley Firebirds are Western Conference Champions and playing in the Calder Cup Finals, which is also a rematch with the Hershey Bears, last year’s Calder Cup winners. The Bears are currently up in the series, 3 games to 2, and Game 6 will be played in Hershey, PA on Monday, June 24. Then it’s Game 7 on Wednesday, June 26 if necessary—and at this point we hope it is necessary!
- 📺 Games will be carried live by local TV networks [More info].
- Acrisure Arena honored LGBTQ+ Pride month with a “Pathway to Pride” 🏳️🌈 rainbow crosswalk. Go Firebirds!
The Center Social
The LGBTQ Community Center of The Desert presents The Center Social for June on Wednesday, June 26 from 5:30–7 pm, held this month at Chill Bar and sponsored by KGAY’s own sister station, MeTV Music 103.1 FM. Look forward to connection, friendship, and a tasty happy hour! More info
Abi Carter Concert
The newly-crowned winner of American Idol, Abi Carter, is bringing her first headlining concert to Acrisure Arena on Saturday, July 27. Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale beginning Tuesday, June 25. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, June 28 at 10 am. Carter, an Indio native, has been widely celebrated here in the Coachella Valley as she honed her skills on local stages, ultimately winning the top spot on American Idol, determined by viewer voting, proving that Coachella Valley dreams can reach the national spotlight. Get ready to see Abi’s star continue to rise! Get tickets
Cocktail Cinema: Get Out
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 continues on Thursday, June 27 with the 2017 Horror/Comedy film Get Out, where a weekend visit to his girlfriend’s family turns into a terrifying struggle for survival for a Black man facing a sinister secret. Upcoming films include: Edward Scissorhands (7/11), and Parasite (7/25). Get tickets
LGBTQ+ Archives Pride Month Display
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
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, June 24
Meet Openly Gay Rabbi JB Sacks | 4 pm at Temple Sinai, Palm Desert
Crystal Meth Anonymous: Stop the Insanity | 7 pm at The Center
Tuesday, June 25
Red Cross Training on Household and Extreme Heat Preparedness | 4–6 pm at Racquet Club West
Hot Summer Nights at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center | 7:30–10:30 pm
Wednesday, June 26
Tremoloco – Tex Mex Blues & Sonoran Folk | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Summer Cabaret Series: Philip Chaffin | 7 pm at CVRep
Gay Naked Talk Show w/Guest Jack Dixon (2nd Show Added) | 7 pm at Dietlart Gallery
Thursday, June 27
Big Beat Drum w/Andy Fraga and Friends | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Summer Cabaret Series: Ken Page | 7 pm at CVRep
Saturday, June 29
Gyptuoso – Jeremie Levi Samson | 5:30–7:30 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center
Grace Potter | 8 pm at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Sunday, June 30
Intocable Tour 30 Aniversario | 8 pm Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
