Gay Desert Guide Weekend: May 30-Jun 1, 2025

Pee-wee Herman — aka Paul Reubens — was going into the closet about the time that I was coming out. Pee-wee as Himself, an HBO Original two-part documentary debuted last Friday on HBO and Max. As I watched the first part of the documentary, I got to thinking about my journey.

I was ‘sequestered’ in a small resort town in Northern Michigan in the late 80s/early 90s about the time he was arrested in Florida for indecent exposure at an adult movie theatre. I had just come out to my family (via a letter!) and was learning more about “gay culture”.

(KGAY program director and afternoon host Chris Shebel and I were part of a secret society called “Friends of Dorothy”, made up of radio and music industry people that met at gay bars during conventions for Billboard Magazine and the like. We have stories to tell, but that’s for another day!)

So while Paul developed his alter ego Pee-wee Herman, I was figuring out mannerisms, cover ups and living my own secret life. In coming out, I was able to start to shed that old persona and become the gay man I am today.

Paul believed that being openly gay would have negatively impacted his mainstream success, especially as a children’s entertainer. I had those same fears for my radio career. But in watching the show each Saturday morning, I couldn’t imagine that he wasn’t gay! He was a role model for me – in an odd way.

I met Paul years later at the home of AirAmerica morning host Stephanie Miller when I ran KTLK radio in Los Angeles. She was hosting a party at her home in Griffith Park and there he was. By then, it was no secret that he was gay. The film chronicles what a long strange trip it was from hanging out with circus performers to a universally beloved persona that defined him for life.

As we start June, Pride month, we celebrate icons, influencers and idioms in our world. Some, like Harvey Milk, have a profound influence on politics and our movement. Some, like Paul Reubens, helps us see ourselves for who we are — that little kid filled with wonder about a world like Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

Brad Fuhr, Gay Desert Guide

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Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week

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

Dazzling Divas Cabaret Fundraiser for PSGMC

Celebrate the dazzling divas of Broadway and Hollywood with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus at their Dazzling Divas Cabaret Fundraisers on Sunday, June 1. Enjoy two fabulous shows at La Cocina at Reforma: the first show is at 2:30 pm (doors/brunch 1:00 pm) with KGAY’s John Taylor as Master of Ceremonies. The second show is at 7 pm (doors/dinner 5:30 pm), featuring Ethylina Canne as Mistress of Ceremonies. Don’t miss live auctions with exciting items like a Galapagos Expedition Cruise. Get tickets

Home Movies Out of the Closet

Celebrate the start of Pride Month with Home Movies Out of the Closet: LGBTQ+, Hollywood, Palm Springs, and You on Sunday, June 1 from 3–9 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center! The afternoon kicks off with a free film preservation session from 3–5:30 pm, where experts will assess home movies and provide storage and digitization recommendations. At 6:30 pm, enjoy a screening of rarely seen LGBTQ+ footage, including home movies of Hollywood stars and works by filmmaker Pat Rocco featuring Palm Springs and Los Angeles, in collaboration with UCLA Library Film & Television Archive. The evening wraps up with a lively reception from 8–9 pm. Get tickets

Pride Month Begins with WeHo Pride

Kick off Pride Month by celebrating love, diversity, and community at WeHo Pride, Friday, May 30–Sunday, June 1, in and around West Hollywood Park. This three-day extravaganza features a free Street Fair, Women’s Freedom Festival, the annual Dyke March, and the vibrant WeHo Pride Parade, alongside the OUTLOUD Music Festival headlined by Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Honey Dijon, Paris Hilton, and Kim Petras. Catch DJ Modgirl spinning celebratory beats at WeHo Pride on Sunday, June 1 at 4 pm at Micky’s WeHo! (and pick up a free copy of our new Summer 2025 Map & Guide next door at Block Party boutique).

Up next for Pride Month: 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 Wednesday, June 11–Sunday, June 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!

Lea Michele Live

Lea Michele takes the stage at the McCallum Theatre on Friday, May 30 from 8–10 pm, fresh from her triumphant Carnegie Hall performance. Known for her breakout role on Glee and her acclaimed turn as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, Michele brings her powerhouse vocals and Broadway charm to Palm Springs for one special night. Get tickets

Art Walk at the Riviera

Immerse yourself in the vibrant Palm Springs art scene at the Art Walk at the Riviera Resort & Spa on Friday, May 30 from 6:30–9:30 pm. This free event, open to the public, showcases an eclectic mix of paintings by renowned local artists in the resort’s lobby and Starlite Lounge. Enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes, and experience the incredible artistry that defines our region, complete with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and live music. More info

The Beverly Hills Peace Talks

Step back into a captivating moment in history with The Beverly Hills Hotel Peace Talks by CVRep, running May 21–June 1. The story was inspired by a real-life 1968 incident—when the casting of Funny Girl sparked tensions between Israel and Egypt. In this fictionalized scenario, a movie executive and a publicity expert host an impromptu peace talk with an Israeli and an Egyptian diplomat, and as debates unfold, unexpected romance blooms, mirroring the film’s narrative. Our theatre reviewer Stephen Radosh praises the clever blend of historical events, Hollywood drama, and personal diplomacy, with strong performances and thought-provoking themes of loyalty, identity, and reconciliation. Read his full review and Get tickets

Deal With The Dragon

Experience the critically acclaimed Deal With The Dragon, presented by Desert Ensemble Theatre and TigerBear Productions, running May 29–June 8 at 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

PSLOD Desert Smoke 2025

Escape for a relaxing weekend designed for cigar and pipe enthusiasts at PSLOD Desert Smoke, hosted by the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert. From Friday, May 30–Sunday, June 1, gather poolside at the all-men’s, pet-friendly Canyon Club Hotel in Palm Springs. Enjoy the warm nights, amazing views, and kick back with brother enthusiasts during this “CHILL” weekend featuring optional planned activities. Get tickets

Becky Robinson – Members Only Tour

Get ready for a night of unfiltered comedy and outrageous characters as Becky Robinson brings her Members Only Tour to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Friday, May 30 at 8 pm. Known for her viral “Entitled Housewife” persona, Becky’s high-energy, multi-character performances have captivated audiences nationwide. Don’t miss this hilarious, fast-paced show: Get tickets

MAD.KAT Season-End Closing Reception

Celebrate the season-ending closing reception of YOU THINK I’M PSYCHO, DON’CHA MAMA? at MAD.KAT Gallery on Saturday, May 31, from 5–8 pm. This stunning exhibition showcases 18 world-class artists exploring the surreal, unreal, and hyperreal, with works from Dubai, Bangkok, Madrid, and beyond. Meet seven artists in attendance and experience MAD.KAT’s final event of the season. More info

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

Thousands of cyclists will take part in the Final Ride of AIDS/LifeCycle from Sunday, June 1–Saturday, June 7. 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

Forever Marilyn Community Celebration

Celebrate Marilyn Monroe’s 99th birthday at the Forever Marilyn Community Celebration on Sunday, June 1 from 4–6 pm at Downtown Park, Palm Springs! Hosted by Vanity Halston, enjoy music, birthday treats, and a Marilyn Monroe look-alike contest with prizes. Snap a picture with the iconic 26-foot Forever Marilyn statue, now permanently home in Palm Springs. More info

Contact in the Desert

Discover the mysteries of the universe at Contact In The Desert, the world’s largest UFO and UAP conference, happening Thursday, May 29–Monday, June 2 at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells. Featuring over 120 lectures, workshops, and panels, this year’s Event Horizon theme brings together leading experts in space exploration, AI, ancient civilizations, and government disclosure, with keynote speaker Josh Gates and a fascinating talk from Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell on telepathy research. Get tickets