Gay Desert Guide Weekend: Jun 6-8, 2025

Waterbeds were a thing in the 1970s. We saw footage of Palm Springs first “gay” hotel, An Old Friend, at last week’s LGBTQ+ History and Archives home movies night. There were buck naked gay men laying poolside on undulating waterbeds, the hot item of the day. (Remember the movie Licorice Pizza?)

The brief footage we saw failed to show what was advertised in print at the time: “BALLROOM size rooms”, a eight-man bunkhouse and a pool table. That hotel predates any that I knew from my Warm Sands history and still stands at 1830 Racquet Club Road as apartments.

During Tuesday’s thundershowers, we gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of El Mirasol Villas, the oldest operating clothing optional resort in our area. It was built by Howard Hughes, the ‘Elon Musk’ of the day. But 50 years on, it stands as a testament to our history.

Palm Springs was put on the map because of its gay resorts; Cathedral City was where the gay bars got their foothold as the area became nationally-known for its gayness. Sonny Bono could ban spring break, but he didn’t much mess with the resorts.

Today, we are down to a baker’s dozen of clothing optional resorts in the two cities. That’s a far cry from even a decade ago and shows the changing mores of younger people who don’t feel the need to be in a walled environment with other gay men. “The apps” certainly changed everything for gay resorts and our LGBTQ+ bars too. And Club 541 makes instant gratification just a glory hole away.

I don’t long for those days gone by, but the movies, print ads and stories from back then certainly give me perspective. Pride month is as much about celebrating our history as it is marching for our future. And right now, our future is about as solid as a 1970s waterbed.

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

For the latest, follow our socials @GayDesertGuide and @KGAY1065 and listen to KGAY Palm Springs wherever you reside!
#ILoveGayPalmSprings #ILoveGayCatCity #ILoveGayTravel #ILoveGay #SayKGAY #FindYourOasis #SupportYourStation

Equality Wine & Food Fest

Raise a glass to diversity and inclusion at the 3rd Annual Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest, happening Saturday, June 7 from 12–4 pm at a new location this year: the Hyatt Palm Springs. Enjoy over 100 wines from LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women-owned wineries, plus food samples, live entertainment, demonstrations, and a silent auction. Enhance the experience with music by KGAY’s Sunday T-Dance DJ, Modgirl, setting the perfect vibe! Get tickets

Sunday Guided Hikes on Mt. San Jacinto

Explore the natural beauty of Mount San Jacinto State Park with their Sunday Guided Hikes. Join State Park staff for a leisurely, family-friendly walk around Long Valley Meadow, learning about park history, ecology, and local critters. It’s a great way to make use of your Unlimited Tramway Summer Pass! Hikes are offered at 11 am and 1:30 pm, starting from the bottom of the cement path at the Mountain Station (top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway) More info

Deal With The Dragon

Experience the critically acclaimed Deal With The Dragon, presented by Desert Ensemble Theatre and TigerBear Productions, running through Sunday, June 8 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. In this darkly camp, one-man fairy tale, Kevin Rolston masterfully embodies three characters as he unravels a tale of ambition, obsession, and the personal demons we confront. Lauded as “truly bravura” by the Edinburgh Guide, this sophisticated fable delivers intrigue, humor, and captivating storytelling. Get tickets

Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week Wraps Up

Indulge in the ultimate culinary experience during Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week, running May 30–June 8. Discover special prix fixe menus and exclusive dishes at top restaurants across the Coachella Valley. Presented by Visit Greater Palm Springs, this ten-day celebration is your chance to savor local flavors while supporting the community. Find Food Bank remains the proud beneficiary—so you can dine out for a cause! More info

Pride Month Festivals & Parades

Join LA Pride! Pride Marches On on Sunday, June 8, for Los Angeles’ original and iconic celebration with the parade stepping off at 11 am on Hollywood Boulevard. Pride Live! Hollywood takes center stage from June 11–29, with a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ storytelling, exclusive screenings, lively conversations, rooftop parties, dance parties, and family-friendly events. Further north, Sacramento Pride is set for June 14 & 15, on Capitol Mall, with a Pride March on Sunday, June 15 at 11 am. The 55th annual San Francisco Pride Celebration, themed “Queer Joy is Resistance” is June 28 & 29 at Civic Center, culminating in the renowned Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29 at 10 am. And next month, mark your calendars for San Diego Pride, San Diego’s biggest celebration of diversity and inclusion, at Balboa Park on July 19 & 20!

Annual Palm Springs Firefighters Fish Fry

Join the 92nd Annual Palm Springs Firefighters Fish Fry on Saturday, June 7 at 6 pm at Ruth Hardy Park. Enjoy a delicious feast of rainbow trout, burgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and more—all for just $15. Cool off with cold beverages, grab a homemade treat, and connect with local firefighters at this beloved Palm Springs tradition. More info

California Adopt-A-Pet Day

Join the Palm Springs Animal Shelter for California Adopt-a-Pet Day on Saturday, June 7 from 11 am–5 pm! Thanks to CalAnimals, ASPCA, and San Francisco SPCA, all adoption fees will be waived, making it the perfect time to welcome a new furry friend into your home. Adopting helps create critical space at the shelter as they prepare for the busy summer months. Browse adoptable animals in advance on their website: More info

Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival

Celebrate emerging talent at the Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival on Sunday, June 8 at 12 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Experience two winning original plays—The Kellogg Murders and Seven—crafted by brilliant young writers. Don’t miss this exciting showcase of creativity and storytelling. Get tickets

Private Tours of The Shag House

Step into The Shag House for a private tour with Brandon, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a life-size Shag painting! Explore every vibrant, retro-inspired corner at your own pace—just you and your guests, no crowds. Select a date from now through Sunday, June 15 and experience the magic behind the green gates in this fully immersive space! Get tickets

AIDS LifeCycle 2025 – The Final Ride Ends Saturday

Thousands of cyclists are taking part in the Final Ride of AIDS/LifeCycle from Sunday, June 1–Saturday, June 7 (including KGAY’s own DJ Galaxy!). This 545-mile journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles raises vital funds for HIV/AIDS services while bringing together a passionate community dedicated to ending the epidemic. Since 1994, riders have raised over $300 million for programs benefiting the Los Angeles LGBT Center and San Francisco AIDS Foundation. More info

Coachella Valley Derby Girls

Brace yourself for high-speed action as the Coachella Valley Derby Girls take on the Angel City Road Ragers on Saturday, June 7 at Palm Springs Air Museum! Doors open at 6:45 pm, with the game kicking off at 7:30 pm. Enjoy a thrilling halftime performance by Hula Palm Springs, and don’t forget to bring your chairs for the ultimate trackside experience. Get tickets

FRI: Barnsdall Art Park Fridays Return

Heading to (or staying in) LA for the weekend? Sip, savor, and support the arts at Barnsdall Fridays Wine Tasting, returning for an extended 16th season from June 6–Sept 26. Enjoy artisanal wines from Silverlake Wine, local food trucks, and live DJ sets from 5:30–9 pm on the stunning Olive Hill, home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. All proceeds benefit Barnsdall Art Park programs, making this the ultimate summer wine experience in LA. More info