On November 27, 1978, George Moscone, the mayor of San Francisco, and Harvey Milk, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, were shot and killed inside City Hall by former Supervisor Dan White.
Twenty years later, Matthew Wayne Shepard was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie on the night of October 6, 1998.
This week, both men are front and center in our world.
Matthew’s mother, Judy, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Biden. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law by President Obama in 2009. Judy and her husband fought tirelessly for passage of the act.
Stuart Milk, recognized for his work supporting struggling and emerging LGBTQ communities in over 60 nations on six continents will be honored at the 12th Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. He is Harvey’s nephew and will be on hand at Thursday’s event at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
The tragedy of senseless murders continue to transform into positive changes for our world.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Bianca Del Rio: Dead Inside
The McCallum Theatre presents Bianca Del Rio, “The Joan Rivers of the Drag World” (New York Times) bringing her Dead Inside World Comedy Tour to the stage on Monday, May 6 at 8 pm. This is the seasoned comic’s sixth worldwide stand-up comedy tour. Bianca will entertain the masses with her iconic lightning-fast wit and razor-sharp tongue. Bianca will cover politics, pop culture, political correctness, current events, cancel culture, and everyday life through the eyes of someone who’s “dead inside” and finds humor in everything. As with all of her shows, there will be lots of audience interaction. Get tickets
Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
The Harvey Milk Coachella Valley Diversity Breakfast takes place on Thursday, May 9 from 8:30–11 am at the Palm Springs Convention Center (starting with coffee hour). Gather to honor Harvey Milk and celebrate his legacy as a political and community leader who stood for justice and equality across the intersections of oppression, self-identity, and self-determination. Proceeds from this event benefit Coachella Valley youth through Gay-Straight Alliance clubs and LGBTQ youth-related programs. Stuart Milk, recognized for his work supporting struggling and emerging LGBTQ communities in over 60 nations on six continents, will be honored. Get tickets
Win Firebirds Playoffs Tickets!
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs and they take on the Calgary Wranglers in the Best of 5 game series, which comes to Acrisure Arena for Game 3 on Wednesday, May 8—and YOU CAN WIN a 4-Pack of Tickets! OR: Get your tickets without fees by purchasing at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena (open select dates and times, please visit CVFirebirds.com for hours of operation). Enter to WIN on the 103.1 MeTV FM Contest Page
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the 2024 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival from Thursday–Sunday, May 9–12. Festival director Alan K Rode says “This year’s film program features the widest possible variety of films in the noir style. Some new discoveries include Rod Steiger’s tour de force turn in Across the Bridge (1957) and the great Barbara Stanwyck dominating a compelling Cornell Woolrich-adapted suspense tale No Man of Her Own (1950). Add to that a pair of Humphrey Bogart films – Dead Reckoning (1946) opposite sultry Lizabeth Scot and The Enforcer (1950) based the infamous Murder Inc. case.” Get tickets
Concerts in the Park: The A-List
Palm Desert’s free Concerts in the Park series returns to Civic Center Park on Thursday evenings at 7 pm throughout the month of May. On Thursday, May 9, the series continues with The A-List, a crowd-pleasing, high energy dance band playing the biggest hits of yesterday and today that will have you dancing on the lawn, which is encouraged! In addition to the great music, concertgoers can enjoy delicious culinary creations offered by a variety of food trucks, or bring your own picnic basket along with blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the show. More info
Sunnylands Films in the Gardens: La La Land
The popular outdoor movie series Films in the Gardens returns to Sunnylands Center & Gardens in May, highlighting films with unique and imaginative set designs. On Friday, May 10, at 7:30 pm, the film will be La La Land (2016), starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Admission is free, carpooling is strongly encouraged. Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnics. More info
The Lincoln Debate
The Bent Theatre Company presents The Lincoln Debate for an encore run to close out their season, Thursdays–Sundays, running through May 12. This play launched The Bent, and Jason Reale, who won a Best Actor award for his portrayal of Lincoln, will be back in his stovepipe hat. Join the debate and decide for yourself whether or not Abraham Lincoln might have an initial under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella that fits him, exploring the first source facts with humor and historical accuracy surrounding Lincoln’s rocky courtship with Mary Todd juxtaposed with the four years that Lincoln shared a bed with Joshua Speed, a man that history records as Lincoln’s “best friend.” Get tickets
Purple Room: The Marvelous Marilyn Maye
The Purple Room Supper Club presents The Marvelous Marilyn Maye on Friday & Saturday, May 10 & 11. Marilyn Maye is a highly praised singer, actress, director, arranger, educator, a Grammy nominated recording artist and a musical treasure. Her entire life has been committed to the art of song and performance. Maye appeared 76 times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, the record for a singer. On Sunday, May 12, The Purple Room presents hysterical comedy, outstanding music, and high camp as celebrated entertainer Michael Holmes parodies Judy Garland in The Judy Show! (dinner at 5 pm, show at 7 pm). Get tickets
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday May 6
Lesbian Hikes | Various Locations (Also Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat)
Tuesday, May 7
Positive Life Series: HIV and Spirituality | 6 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center and Zoom
Queer Colon Care Collective | 6 pm at The LGBTQ Community Center of The Desert (4 pm on Zoom)
Wednesday, May 8
Eisenhower Health Presents: Understanding Male Pelvic Health | 4–5 pm on Zoom
Annual All-Valley Multi-Chamber Networking Mixer | 5:30 pm at Palm Springs Air Museum
The Gand Band: Beatles and Beyond | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Thursday, May 9
California Feetwarmers (Ragtime, Blues, Jazz) | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Friday, May 10
“I’m Still Here” with David Van Wess | 7 pm at Revolution Stage Company
Silversun Pickups | 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage
Saturday, May 11
Idyllwild Arts Community Day | 11:30 am–6 pm at Idyllwild Arts Campus
Nic & Desi: Broadway to Hollywood | 7 pm at Oscar’s Palm Springs
Sunday, May 12
Mother’s Day Brunch at Rockwood Grill | 10 am–3 pm at JW Marriott Spa & Resort
