June is Pride month as a tribute to those who were involved in the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Most of the world is waving rainbow flags, dousing themselves in glitter, and parading about.
Legend has it we tried Pride here in Palm Springs once in June, but the heat made staying with the traditional month to celebrate nearly impossible. We’ll celebrate in November.
With parades, festivals, and concerts going on across the globe – and around the state – there’s plenty of ways for you to celebrate. It’s also the time to remember and learn some important social history lessons.
We are no longer an oppressed minority hiding in the shadows. We’re out and visible! It’s clear that the majority of Americans – and history – are on our side. The recent dust-ups involving Target and Anheuser-Busch are alarming and a part of a systematic plan to remove our rights. So the fight is not over by any means. Raise a glass or two to celebrate Pride month, then raise a fist or a flag in protest and solidarity.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Visitor Map & Guide Summer Edition
The Summer 2023 edition of our Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide (great for locals too!) is available now around town and online! We help you find everything you need to know while visiting or living in the Coachella Valley, featuring the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attraction, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries and other services. You can also view it online, and download the PDF [here].
Ross Mathews – “I Gotchu, Gurl!”
Zoso Fun presents Ross Mathews – “I Gotchu Gurl!” on Saturday, June 3 at 7 pm at Hotel Zoso. This is an evening of standup comedy, cocktails, games and major LOLs where everyone is welcome. Designed to be interactive, the show is updated constantly to keep up with pop culture and (once the cocktails really kick in) Ross will go into the crowd to answer very NSFW/after-dark/anything-goes questions! Get tickets
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week kicks off this Friday, June 2 and continues through Sunday, June 11. With a variety of restaurants participating, you can refresh your palate and discover new places to eat all while redeeming great offers! Savor the start of summer — every poolside bite, every chilled cocktail, every sunset dinner with a view — with more options including prix fixe menus and exclusive special offers only available during Restaurant Week. See our event listing for a list of participating restaurants: More info
OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride
The 2023 OUTLOUD Music Festival takes place June 2–5 at West Hollywood Park, championing queer musicians as the signature music event at WeHo Pride, the City of West Hollywood’s Pride celebration. Weekend headliners include Grace Jones, Carly Rae Jepsen, Orville Peck and Passion Pit. Friday night is free with Idina Menzel, Jessie Ware, Shangela, Tinashe, and more. Get tickets
Riverside Pride Gayla and Awards Ceremony
Riverside Pride presents the Riverside Pride Gayla on Saturday, June 3, from 6–11 pm at the Grand Valley Ballroom in Moreno Valley. All funds raised go towards the September 9 Riverside Pride festival. Individuals and organizations that have made positive contributions towards the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality and advocacy in the Inland Empire region will be celebrated at this year’s Riverside Pride Gayla. The theme and entertainment this year will be Moulin Rouge-inspired with music, dancing, silent auction, photo ops and more. Hosted by Athena Kills, with performances by burlesque performer Kitten de Ville and Rhythm Beatz Sirens Heels Company. Get tickets
Santa Monica Pride
Santa Monica Pride, or SaMo PRIDE, takes place Saturday, June 3, from 11 am – 4 pm. The festival will turn the entire downtown district, from the Third Street Promenade through Santa Monica Place to the Santa Monica Pier, into a PRIDE zone. All ages are welcome to enjoy live musical performances, PRIDE-related treats, free swag, games, and much more. Make sure to stop by the photo booth experience, titled “Colors of Pride” to get your photo taken as a memento from the day. There will be local organizations, businesses and retailers offering information, services, and special Pride deals. More info
Sonoma County Pride
For our NorCal friends, Sonoma County Pride will be held on Saturday, June 3 and includes a morning parade through downtown (11 am), and a daytime festival (12–5 pm) in Courthouse Square with entertainment, booths and activities. Pride weekend events also include a Friday movie night, Boogie Nights after party and drag show on Saturday night, and Wigs & Waffles drag brunch and Aqua Boogie pool party with performances by Kiesza, Crystal Waters, and Monique Heart on Sunday. More info
ShortFest Individual Tickets on Sale Saturday
The Palm Springs International ShortFest is almost here, running June 20–26, and they have just released the line-up of screenings [Read more]. This year’s festival will showcase an impressive selection of 299 films from 65 countries, including 53 World Premieres, 10 International Premieres, 33 North American Premieres, and 18 U.S. Premieres. The films were curated from over 6,000 film submissions. Passes are on sale now and individual ticket sales open Saturday, June 3 at 9 am. Get tickets
🙌 You can also enter to win tickets to ShortFest 2023 on our KGAY Contest Page 🙌
AIDS LifeCycle® Starts Sunday
The AIDS LifeCycle® sets off this Sunday, June 4 for the 545-mile ride from SF to LA, concluding Saturday, June 10, We wish all the cyclists and support staff the best on this epic challenge! Two locals of note that we know will be participating: Brett Klein from Eisenhower Health and Dr. Jim Cox, chiropractor. Co-produced to raise funds for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, AIDS/LifeCycle advances these agencies’ shared interest in reducing new HIV infections and improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Lizzo – The Special 2our
Global sensation and professional flutist, Lizzo brings her The Special 2our with special guest Latto to Acrisure Arena on Friday, June 2 at 8 pm. Her most recent album Special peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, hailed by Rolling Stone as “the most unabashedly joyous, sonically diverse, and emotionally profound album put out by a major label since Beyonce’s Lemonade.” Get tickets
Boyz Night Out is Back
On Friday, June 2—and every Friday night!— Zoso Fun presents Boyz Night Out at Hotel Zoso from 4 pm–8 pm. This legendary pool party and happy hour will be hosted by Snatch and feature music from K-Gay’s own multi award-winning deejay Vincente Corrales as DJ Galaxy! Come and enjoy go-go boys, awesome drink specials, pop up drag events, PS Flaggers and more, and kick off the weekend! More info
Recap: Season 8 RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Episode 4
Gay Desert Guide Drag Correspondent Dante Noto has your latest recap for RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 8, Episode 4: Screen Queens, where the contestants produce trailers for “sickening scripted series” to create “must-she tv.” A sexy balloon-popping activity with the Pit Crew determines the teams. Someone is “‘planting seeds’ of intrigue and mistrust,” as the three teams create their screen gems, and on the runway, the category is “Azz the World Turns.” Dante runs down all the goings-on, so read his full recap of Episode 4 [here].
Sipping, Shopping, and Giving Back
Trina Turk and Mr. Turk invite you to an evening of Sipping, Shopping, and Giving Back on Friday, June 2 from 5:30–7:30 pm. 20% of sales during the event will benefit the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert. RSVP requested. More info
