awoke from a nightmare this morning where I took a stand with my family and decided to become estranged. I announced that I would no longer come home to visit – only when necessary like a death in the family. I gathered things I wanted to keep and was getting ready to say my last goodbye. It was my choice not to see them anymore.
Brandon Wolf and Dennis and Judy Shepard never had that choice. Their loved ones were ripped from them in unspeakable tragedies. Each were honored at Thursday’s Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast and told stories of resiliency.
In 1998, Matthew Shepard, became the victim of a brutal hate crime that shocked the nation and ignited a movement. In the face of unimaginable loss, his parents chose not to be defined by grief alone—but by purpose.
They founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation, transforming pain into progress. Through their work, they have championed dignity, inclusion, and safety for LGBTQ+ people across the country and around the world.
On June 12, 2016, Brandon Wolf survived the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub—a night that took 49 lives, including two of his closest friends. In the wake of that devastating loss, Brandon made a choice: not to be silenced by grief, but to speak louder, to fight harder, and to ensure that those lives—and that moment—would never be forgotten.
There is a natural passing of the torch from one generation to the next that occurs across tribes, nations and families. That includes the traditions passed down from generation to generation, the stories, the skills and of course the cautionary tales that help them preserve history and survive.
And so it was with this week’s Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast where these three told their stories of turning loss into activism. The next generation was over 200 students from GSA’s across the Coachella Valley. They listened with intent to these stories, and were called to action and activism, just like Harvey Milk implored us to do so many years ago.
Next Friday is the official state holiday honoring Milk. Harvey’s death, like that of Matthew Shepard, those at the Pulse Nightclub and countless others, give us resolve.
No matter what your age, what might you do to keep our stories alive? What actions might you take? Harvey’s message was simple: Get out the vote. Voting is certainly one simple act. So is volunteering, running for office, speaking out and countless other acts. Your words and deeds will contribute to how the next generation will view us — not as “other” but as just a different color of the rainbow.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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Joshua Tree Music Festival
The 24th Spring Joshua Tree Music Festival fills the desert with music, movement, and creative energy from all weekend at Joshua Tree Lake Campground, offering a blend of live performances, mindfulness workshops, and hands‑on artistic experiences. This intimate gathering draws about 3,000 attendees each edition and features more than 55 workshops, live muralists, local vendors, and a community‑centered atmosphere where shared discovery takes precedence over large‑scale spectacle, with local bands performing alongside global music acts. More info
Agua Caliente Indian Reservation 150th Anniversary
Honor a historic milestone as the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum hosts a free community celebration on Friday, May 15, 2026 from 10 am–5 pm, marking the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. Throughout the day, you can explore a vibrant Native American Market, enjoy cultural demonstrations, savor local food vendors, and experience traditional bird singing and dancing. Complimentary museum admission will be offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis, giving you a special opportunity to engage with the Tribe’s rich history and living culture. More info
Firebirds in Round Three
The Coachella Valley Firebirds have battled their way into Round Three of the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs after a hard‑fought weekend win over the Ontario Reign, but the Pacific Division Finals opened with a setback as the Firebirds dropped Game 1 to the Colorado Eagles. The best‑of‑five series now turns to Game 2 on Friday, May 15 at 7 pm at Acrisure Arena, the final chance for home‑ice momentum before the matchup shifts to Colorado for Game 3 and potential Games 4 and 5. Get tickets
Long Beach Pride
Long Beach Pride returns May 16–17 for its 42nd annual celebration, bringing three days of community, entertainment, and LGBTQ+ visibility to Marina Green Park. Sunday at 10 am it’s the famous Long Beach Pride™ parade, and the festival features multiple live‑music stages, drag performances, DJs, food and drink vendors, and more than 150 arts and crafts booths. More info
Marvelous Marilyn Maye! at The Purple Room
Experience the legendary Marilyn Maye in an intimate, cabaret‑style showcase at The Purple Room from Thursday–Saturday, May 14–16, where her extraordinary artistry takes center stage. A Grammy‑nominated singer, actress, director, arranger, and educator, Ms. Maye has devoted her life to the craft of song and performance. She holds the record for a singer with 76 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, who famously told his millions of viewers, “And that, young singers, is the way it’s done.” More info
Duran, Duran, Duran
Agave Caliente Terraza continues its free outdoor concert series with Duran, Duran, Duran: A Tribute to Duran Duran on Saturday, May 16 at 8 pm. Dance in a neon‑bright night of ’80s new‑wave nostalgia, complete with shimmering synths, sleek vocals, and the iconic sound that defined MTV’s early era. This high‑energy tribute brings the band’s biggest hits to life on the open‑air stage at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City. More info
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia
Observed globally on Sunday, May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) highlights the 2026 theme, “At the heart of democracy,” reflecting on how equity, justice, and inclusion form the foundation of thriving democratic communities. First celebrated in 2005, IDAHOBIT commemorates the World Health Organization’s 1990 decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. More info
The Westminster Chorus
The award‑winning Westminster Chorus performs at The Plaza Theatre on Sunday, May 17 from 3–5 pm as part of the Desert Classical Series. Under the direction of Dr. Dan Wessler, this internationally acclaimed ensemble—winners of the Choir of the World Pavarotti Trophy and multiple Barbershop Harmony Society gold medals—brings signature precision, warmth, and youthful energy to the stage. More info
A Man of No Importance
The BENT presents A Man of No Importance, running May 8–24, a tender musical exploring identity, acceptance, and the courage to live authentically. Set in Dublin, the story follows Alfie Byrne, a gentle bus conductor determined to stage an amateur production of Wilde’s Salome at his local church. As he confronts prejudice and the quiet ache of a love “that dare not speak its name,” Alfie discovers the transformative power of friendship and community. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh says the play “is a reminder that theatre doesn’t need spectacle to move us. It needs truth, compassion, and a story told with care — and this production delivers all three.” Read his full review and get tickets: More info
The Ritz
Palm Canyon Theatre brings big laughs to the stage with The Ritz, running May 8–17, a riotous farce set inside a 1970s Manhattan gay bathhouse. When a straight man on the run from the mob hides in what he assumes is the last place anyone would look, he’s swept into a whirlwind of flamboyant personalities, mistaken identities, and escalating comedic chaos. With its campy humor, bold characters, and rapid‑fire pacing, the production embraces the era’s theatrical flair while delivering a fresh, high‑energy experience for modern audiences. More info
Kiss Me, Kate
College of the Desert presents the classic musical Kiss Me, Kate at the McCallum Theatre, running May 15–17. This spirited production follows feuding ex‑spouses Lilli Vanessi and Fred Graham as they clash onstage and off in a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. With romance, comedy, backstage antics, and iconic Cole Porter songs like “So in Love” and “Too Darn Hot,” the show blends wit, sophistication, and show‑stopping numbers. More info
Princesses: Crowned & Dangerous
Musical Theatre University presents the Southern California premiere of Princesses: Crowned & Dangerous, an all‑new musical comedy created by David Zippel, Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, and Matthew Wilder. This reimagined production features MTU students performing alongside Broadway veterans in a rare opportunity to see original material before it reaches the national stage. Performances run May 15–17. More info
For all events go to GayDesertGuide.com
