I’m Comin’ Out – Diana Ross once sang, and it became a gay anthem. Nile Rogers co-wrote the song after an experience in a prominent Manhattan transgender club, GG’s Barnum Room.
And so 43 years on, the KGAY Dance Hit is one of the iconic songs for the LGBTQ+ community. And it dovetails into this week’s National Coming Out Day and the introduction of the Palm Springs Walk of Stars app listing of “stars” who were known to be of our persuasion 🙂
It’s a Prideful week in #ILoveGayPalmSprings with Pride on the Page this weekend and Randy Rainbow at the McCallum on Sunday. And we’re still four weeks from Palm Springs Pride. BTW, did you hear who the new additions are to the main stage lineup?
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!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis
Palm Springs Pride Adds 10,000 Maniacs and Lisa Lisa
The Palm Springs Pride Festival organizers have announced the addition of two sensational musical acts to its already star-studded lineup. Joining the previously announced headliner, Idina Menzel, the festival proudly welcomes the iconic 10,000 Maniacs and the legendary Lisa Lisa for a weekend of music, celebration, and unity. Read more
Cinema Diverse presents Big Easy Queens
Cinema Diverse at the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents Big Easy Queens, a special screening on Monday, October 9 at 7:30 pm. Set in the steamy underworld of New Orleans, Big Easy Queens follows Minnie Bouvèé, Mob Queen of the Quarter, and her rivalry with her arch-nemesis, Poodles Makenzie. This movie has everything you might expect from a queer horror movie about New Orleans: voodoo, zombies, drag queens, and tons upon tons of campy delight soaked in blood, gristle, and glitter. Oh, and gardenias. Lots of gardenias. Get tickets
Idyllwild Arts Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day
Famed arts school Idyllwild Arts presents its second annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration on Sunday & Monday, October 8 & 9 at their campus. The 2-day event presents an array of free and educational programming from famed indigenous performers & scholars. Idyllwild Arts is an institution rooted in respect, reverence, and support for Native American people, culture, and art, and is the only residential arts high school in the country to offer a Native American Arts Center led by a Native American Executive Director, Shaliyah Ben (Diné). See our event listing for more details on this free event: More info
National Coming Out Day is Wednesday
National Coming Out Day is an annual event celebrated every year on October 11 that strives to create a safe and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community. The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, while also celebrating those who have already come out. It serves as a reminder that embracing one’s authentic self is a courageous act that deserves respect and support.
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 from October 12–November 12 at the Village Green. A Ribbon Cutting for the exhibit will take place on Wednesday, October 11 at 3 pm, on National Coming Out Day. 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
Barbershop: A Black Men’s Space for Honest Talk
In October, Brothers of the Desert and Let’s Kick ASS Palm Springs (LKAPS) will launch a monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Sexual Wellness. The first discussion group will take place on Tuesday, October 10 from 5:30–7 pm in Palm Springs. Subsequent meetings will occur at the same time on November 14 and December 12. The first “Barbershop” meeting will be facilitated by Stuart Huggins, food bank manager with the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, and Will Dean, Desert Healthcare District and Foundation director of communications. More info
Trans and Non Binary Tuesday
Join the Trans Health and Wellness Center for a Trans and Non Binary Tuesday Witches Hat Party on Tuesday, October 10 from 6–7:30 pm at Trixie Motel. This free event will have delectable refreshments, a spooky raffle and witchy fun vibes! Trans and Non Binary Tuesday is a safe space for the Transgender, Gender Diverse, Intersex community and allies to enjoy while getting connected to vital resources and incentives. Limited space; RSVP requested. More info
Understanding Aging in the HIV Population
Eisenhower Health and the Center present an Eisenhower Lecture: Understanding Aging in the HIV Population on Wednesday, October 11 from 4–5 pm via Zoom. More than half of all people living with HIV in the United States are 50 or older. As advances in HIV medications have kept people healthy longer, long-term side effects of HIV and HIV medications have increased the risk of heart disease and cancer in older adults with HIV. Join Alex del Rosario, MD to learn more about how HIV impacts the top ten leading causes of death in the United States. More info
Desert Stonewall Democrats’ Movie Night
Come celebrate National Coming Out Day with Desert Stonewall Democrats with a Movie Night on Wednesday, October 11 from 6–9 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. They will be hosting a screening of the film But I’m A Cheerleader, a hilarious LGBTQ romantic comedy about a lesbian-questioning high school cheerleader whose parents send her to conversion camp therapy. Social hour/reception at 6 pm with the screening at 7 pm. This is a friendraiser/fundraiser to support efforts for the 2024 election cycle, so contributions are welcome. More info
Developing a Business Plan Free Online Workshop
Southern California Edison in association with the Los Angeles LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce and The Desert Business Association present Developing a Business Plan, a free online workshop on Tuesday, October 10 from 9–11:30 am on Zoom. This workshop will assist small businesses with the development of a sufficient business plan for which they may have a clear picture of operational needs and business models to secure funding. More info
Palm Desert Concerts in the Park – The Mighty Untouchables
The City of Palm Desert is continues their popular evening outdoor concert series under the stars at Civic Center Park amphitheater each Thursday evening in October from 6–7:30 pm. The concerts feature a diverse range of talented performers and tribute bands designed to please music lovers of all ages and tastes. On Thursday, October 12, The Mighty Untouchables take the stage. This award-winning band will get the crowd dancing with one-part feverish dance party and one-part stunning concert experience. Offering Top 40 Dance, Motown, Disco, Classic Rock and more. The public is welcome to bring chairs and picnic baskets, or enjoy delicious creations offered by food trucks parked by the amphitheater. More info
Friday Fusion with DJ Galaxy
DJ Galaxy, of KGAY’s Retro Lunch and Retro Sunday Brunch, is spinning on Fridays from 4–8 pm with Friday Fusion at Impala Bar & Grill! This Friday T-Dance Happy Hour Social features beats by Galaxy, sexy GoGo boys and daddies, pop-up performances by drag kings and queens and other celebrities, with flagging by Desert Flaggers and hosted by Snatch. This weekly party from the producer who brought back Boyz Night Out celebrates equality, diversity, and inclusion. No cover; food and drink specials throughout. More info
California Economic Summit: Coachella & Imperial Valleys
The 2023 California Economic Summit takes place at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells from Wednesday–Friday, October 11–13. Produced by California Forward in partnership with the California Stewardship Network, the Summit influences CA FWD’s ongoing movement to make the government and economy work for everyone. The three-day Summit is designed to create a shared economic agenda known as the Roadmap to Shared Prosperity and strengthen the Summit network, setting the stage for collective action in 2024. See our event listing for agenda and speakers: Register here
The Dirty Show 2.0 with Skyler Gentry
Ben Zook from the hit gay web series, “Where the Bears Are,” presents The Dirty Show 2.0 with Skyler Gentry on Wednesday October 11 at 7 pm at Dietlart Gallery (with subsequent performances on Wednesdays October 18 and 25). This all-new show features Zook as Skyler Gentry, America’s favorite actor-singer-dancer-psychic, with raunchy songs, comedy bits and “psychic readings” with the audience. His original show was a smash hit in Palm Springs and he performed it all over the world. He’s thrilled to be back in Palm Springs with this brand new “Dirty Show 2.0!” Beware – the show is very gay, very dirty and loads of fun! *Intended for mature audiences. Get tickets
Revivals Back Alley Event
Revivals After Dark presents the Back Alley Event, a fundraiser to benefit DAP Health and Palm Springs Leather Order of The Desert on Friday, October 13 from 6–7:30 pm at the Revivals Palm Springs Back Alley. Come and shop for resale leather to be ready for Maximum Thrust PS Leather Pride Weekend (Oct 26–29). More info
Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Writer Series: Neil King Jr.
The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival Writers Series presents a series of free talks by eminent authors at the award-winning Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory. On Thursday, October 12 at 2 pm, Neil King Jr. will discuss his book American Ramble. The first 200 people will receive a free copy of the book! More info
Single Guys Mixer
Palm Springs Single Guys present their monthly social mixer on Thursday, October 12 from 5:30–7:30 pm in the VIP Lounge at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. This free event is, according to organizers, “nothing too complicated, just a great group of single guys who are looking for connection.” Take a chance, step out of your comfort zone, and chat with some wonderful guys. Palm Springs Single Guys is an online Facebook group for people living in the Palm Springs area or those who are visiting and is open to gay, bisexual and transgender men. 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
