It’s one of our busier weeks in Greater Palm Springs with a variety of ways to stay involved, support and participate in activities that serve our LGBTQ+ vibrant communities.
The Center Stage Gala will celebrate the return of Mike Thompson as CEO of the organization on Friday. Monday is acknowledgment of those who serve our community with the Pride Honors Awards. Our Walk of Stars LGBTQ+ designations are in the app and a wonderful display is set up on the Village Green to commemorate those who have contributed to Palm Springs’ visibility in the world. Leslie Jordan will get a posthumous star dedicated this week.
Oh, and Modernism Week October will fill the hotels and streets with mid-century buffs starting Friday. We’re back in season and loving every minute of it. If you tend to sit on the sidelines, find something to do this week that’s out of your comfort zone. You’ll be glad you did!
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you may be!
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Palm Springs Pride Honors Awards
Greater Palm Springs Pride presents the annual Pride Honors Awards, a beacon of recognition for outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, on Monday, October 16, from 5:30–7:30 pm at the Hilton Palm Springs. The awards announcement marks the approach of Pride Week under the theme of “Drag Now. Drag Forever!” 2023 honorees include:
- Spirit of Stonewall Lifetime Achievement Award: Donald Beck
- Spirit of Stonewall Organization of the Year: Brothers of the Desert
- Spirit of Stonewall Community Service Award: Miss Patsi
- Spirit of Stonewall Volunteer of the Year: Beverly Sweigart
- Stonewall Spirit of Pride Award: Jase Nagaia
- Spirit of Stonewall Friend of Pride: Greg and Dee Dee Barton
- Get tickets
Out on the Walk
The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert presents Out on the Walk, an exhibition celebrating the LGBT individuals on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, open Thursdays–Sundays through November 12 at the Village Green. KGAY 106.5 will be on site this Thursday, October 19, from 6–9 pm to welcome visitors to the exhibit. Stop by and say hi and enjoy Villagefest at the same time! The Walk contains more than 450 stars honoring notable entertainers, humanitarians, civic leaders, architects, artists, authors, athletes, and veterans, and some of the honorees were known to live openly as LGBT individuals, while others due to time and personal preference did not. By identifying and celebrating these LGBT celebrities, business people, humanitarians, philanthropists, authors, artists, and civic leaders, organizers hope to share the story of how each one helped to make the greater Palm Springs area the welcoming place for the LGBTQ community it is today. The Walk of the Stars website and app also features information about the honorees. More info
Center Stage Gala 2023
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and Eisenhower Health present the 13th annual Center Stage Gala on Friday, October 20 from 5:30–9 pm at the Palm Springs Air Museum. This fundraiser, an unforgettable evening dedicated to “Creating Community” is an extraordinary celebration of our vibrant LGBTQ+ community and the impactful work of the LGBTQ Community Center. The special guest for the evening will be Cecilia Gentili, an advocate, organizer, and storyteller working passionately at the intersections of sex work, immigrant rights, incarceration issues, and trans liberation. Her presence and inspiring story will make this evening memorable. Get tickets
DBA Networking Mixer at Mizell
Join the Desert Business Association for a Networking Mixer at Mizell Center on Monday, October 16 at 5:30 pm. Known for their many programs serving our senior community to promote an active and engaged lifestyle, Mizell also has a very large Meals on Wheels program serving over 800 meals per day throughout the Coachella Valley and down to the Salton Sea. Come learn a bit more about Mizell Center, an active participant in our LGBTQ+ communities, and also take part in the DBA Raffle! More info
Modernism Week – October
Modernism Week presents their fall edition, Modernism Week – October, from Thursday, October 19–Sunday, October 22. While smaller in scope than the 11-day festival held annually each February, the October event offers nearly 50 events over four days, including many free and low-cost programs. Just a few examples include: Albert Frey’s Palm Springs Bus Tour, Desert Glamour: The Crockett Residence Tour, Celebrate the Restoration of the Iconic Plaza Theatre, Bella da Ball’s Celebrity Homes Bus Tour, Twilight Architecture Bus Tour, and much more. See our event listing for more examples and a link to the full schedule of events: Get tickets
Palm Springs Walk of the Stars Honors Leslie Jordan
The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce will honor actor, comedian, and storyteller, Leslie Jordan with the 462nd star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars, with the unveiling of the star at the Downtown Palm Springs Park on Friday, October 20, at 11 am, four days before the one-year anniversary of his untimely passing. The Star Dedication ceremony will be hosted by Del Shores (Sordid Lives and Southern Baptist Sissies) and Emerson Collins (The People’s Couch and RENT on FOX) and will feature stories from friends including Sordid Lives co-stars Newell Alexander (August: Osage County), Rosemary Alexander (A Very Sordid Wedding) and Ann Walker (A Country Christmas Harmony), Southern Baptist Sissies co-star Dale Dickey (Winter’s Bone, A League of Their Own and Claws), Call Me Kat co-star Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story and 30 Rock), lifelong friend and assistant Bart Stevens with a performance by Danny Myrick (“Company’s Comin” and “Let It Slide”). Sponsored by donations through the Del Shores Foundation. More info
Best of Coachella Valley Final Round of Voting
The Coachella Valley Independent‘s annual Best of Coachella Valley reader’s poll has announced their nominees (nominated by readers) and voting is now open in the Final Round, which goes through Sunday, October 22. We would love a repeat of our wins last year! Under “Life in the Valley,” for Best Radio Station, please vote KGAY 106.5! Also under “Life in the Valley,” for Best Local Radio Personality please consider John Taylor of the KGAY 106.5 Morning Show, and DJ Galaxy of the KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch. Galaxy is also nominated, along with KGAY Sunday T-Dance’s DJ Modgirl, for Best Local DJ under the “Arts” section! Vote Today
Palm Springs Annual State of the City
The Palm Springs City Council will be celebrating recent accomplishments and sharing exciting new ideas at the State of the City on Tuesday, October 17 at 5 pm at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The Community Leadership Award will go to J.R. Roberts of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation Board, the Community Appreciation Award will go to Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills, the Community Development Award will go to the Oak View Group, and the Emerging Leader Award will go to Lili Rodriguez of the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Food and wine reception catered by Lulu California Bistro. Get tickets.
