June is Pride month around the world. The history of commemorating this was born out of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York. The first Pride March took place on June 27, 1970 to mark its one-year anniversary and to demonstrate for equal rights.
I have two new favorite t-shirts that I’ve been saving for June Pride month display. One is of ‘good’ trouble-maker Marsha P. Johnson famously quoted, “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us!” That reminds me that one segment of our rainbow is always facing adversity. Today, if it’s not drag queens, it’s our trans community.
The other t-shirt I’ve had stashed away shows an early black & white Pride march photo and aptly states, “Pride is a MARCH not a parade”. We had many years when we were gaining rights and support. Those halcyon years have been replaced by a pendulum swing to the right, and an erosion of rights. Nearly 500 bills have been introduced in state legislatures to restrict LGBTQ+ persons.
So whether you’re attending WeHo Pride this weekend or will wait to celebrate Palm Springs Pride in November, keep the unbridled enthusiasm in check. It’s great to show the world who we are, but the world needs to remember that we’re still marching and not just parading.
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
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week returns Friday, May 31– Sunday, June 9, offering residents and visitors 10 days of exquisite dining experiences throughout our nine-city oasis. This is the perfect opportunity to 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. Book your reservation online and $1 per reservation will be donated to FIND Food Bank. See our event listing for links to participating restaurants and menus! More info
“Love is in the Air” – PSGMC Fundraiser
Reforma Palm Springs, in partnership with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus (PSGMC) will host two cabaret fundraising shows themed “Love is in the Air,” on Sunday, June 2 at 3:30 pm and 7 pm. Each show will have its own distinct look and feel and will feature LIVE Auctions (An African Safari, and a Brandg Vacations Cruise), silent auction, and KGAY’s John Taylor will be Master of Ceremonies at the 3:30 pm performance, and Scott Nevins will emcee the 7 pm show, with Doug Nagel as vocal coach for both shows. Get tickets
House Party PS: Flashback to the ’70s
The Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation, Mark Pellegrino and Stuart Kent invite you to House Party PS: Flashback to the ’70s on Saturday, June 1 from 5–8 pm in Palm Springs. Celebrate all things Disco — cocktails, fabulous entertainment, silent auction and more — all to raise funds for the Cathedral City Senior Center. Featuring performances by Keisha D, Billy L’Amour, and Steve Knill and hosted by Bella Da Ball. Get tickets
Firebirds in Western Conference Finals
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are now in Calder Cup Playoffs Round 4, in the Western Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Admirals. Round 4 started with a win by the Firebirds at home at Acrisure Arena for Game 1 on Wednesday, and next up is Game 2 on Friday, May 31 at 7 pm at Acrisure Arena. American Idol winner and Indio native Abi Carter will sing the National Anthem and drop the ceremonial puck for Game 2. Games 3–5 will be played in Milwaukee. If necessary, Games 6 and 7 will be played back at Acrisure Arena (June 10 & 12). Go Firebirds!
Q+ Art: Princess – @1minworld
The inaugural season of Q+ Art, the queer art initiative of the Palm Springs Art Museum, continues this Friday, May 31 at 5:30 pm with Princess, the interdisciplinary performing arts duo headed by Alexis Gideon and Michael O’Neil. They will perform @1minworld (One Minute World), their experimental Instagram video opera cycle that explores the discontents of our social media age. @1minworld features original animations and live musical performance alongside video projection. The first half displays one-minute videos with primary-colored bubblegum visuals, while the second half slows down time with a longer piece of music and film. (Cocktail hour starts at 4:30 pm). Get tickets
Joshua Tree – Beneath the Desert Sky
The Joshua Tree National Park Association presents Beneath the Desert Sky on Saturday, June 1 from 5–10 pm on the lawn at the Historic 29 Palms Inn. Get ready for a night filled with music, dancing, and good vibes with Dave Catching & Friends, Fatso Jetson, Flames of Durga, and Giselle Woo & the Night Owls. Enjoy the beauty of the desert while connecting with like-minded individuals. Indulge your taste buds with a variety of delicious food and drinks, plus explore the bustling vendor village featuring local artisans and businesses offering unique products and services. Get tickets
Plunge Pool Party
Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert presents Plunge on Saturday, June 1 from 12–5 pm at CCBC Resort. This world-famous pool party features a new bar set-up at CCBC and music by Palm Springs’ DJ Nate Cox. Save when you purchase your ticket in advance: Get tickets
Sarah McLachlan – Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary Tour
Acclaimed Grammy and Juno-award winning artist Sarah McLachlan is bringing the Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary Tour to Acrisure Arena on Saturday, June 1 at 7:30 pm. Very special guest Canadian and American indie pop singer-songwriter Feist will join on all dates across the tour. The summer tour celebrates McLachlan’s highly acclaimed third studio album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, which first released in 1993. Hit singles include “Possession,” “Hold On,” “Ice Cream,” and “Good Enough,” among others. The 30th anniversary tour will see McLachlan playing the beloved album in its entirety along with some of her most celebrated songs. Get tickets
Pride Month Kickoff: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Palm Springs Cultural Center is kicking off Pride Month with The Rocky Horror Picture Show featuring a live performance from The Coachella Valley Shadow Cast on Saturday, June 1 at 9 pm (cocktail hour starts at 8 pm). Experience the cult favorite on the largest screen in the valley with audience participation and an all-local, full shadow cast. The first 100 audience members to arrive at the theatre will receive an interactive survivor kit. Dress up, sing along, and embrace your inner creature of the night! Get tickets
Firefighters 91st Annual Fish Fry
Come hang out with your Palm Springs Firefighters at their 91st Annual Fish Fry on Saturday, June 1 from 6–10 pm at Ruth Hardy Park. Firefighters will be serving up rainbow trout, hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw and dinner rolls, as well as cold beverages, at this popular annual community event. More info
WeHo Pride Weekend
WeHo Pride Weekend is this Friday–Sunday, May 31–June 2 in and around West Hollywood Park. The weekend will include Friday Night at OUTLOUD with Kesha, Adam Lambert, Monét X Change and more, the WeHo Pride Street Fair, the Women’s Freedom Festival (12–6 pm Saturday), the Dyke March (6 pm Saturday), the WeHo Pride Parade with Lifetime Ally Icon Cyndi Lauper (12:30 pm Sunday), and the ticketed OUTLOUD @ WeHo Pride music festival, with Kylie Minogue, Janelle Monáe, Diplo + Friends, and many more from 1 pm–midnight on Saturday and 1 pm–11 pm on Sunday. More info
Tribute to Taylor Swift
The McCallum Theatre presents a Taylor Swift Tribute concert on Saturday, June 1 at 7 pm. Legends in Concert brings you the incredible talents of tribute artist Christina Shaw, whose astonishing vocals and electrifying stage presence celebrate the music and magic of this global superstar. Get tickets
ALSO THIS WEEKEND
Friday, May 31
Contact in the Desert: World’s Largest UFO Conference | 8 am–8 pm daily thru June 3 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
The Dusty Strings Collective: Laura Coyle w/Sugar High | 5:30–7:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
Saturday, June 1
Adoption Event with Animal Samaritans | 11 am–1 pm at PetSmart Palm Springs
Baby The Musical
Revolution Stage Company presents Baby The Musical, playing now through Sunday, June 9. Is there anything more exciting, frightening and utterly transformational than impending parenthood? Baby, the musical from acclaimed duo, Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire, examines how parents-to-be experience the emotional stresses and triumphs, as well as the desperate lows and the comic highs that accompany the anticipation and arrival of a baby. Get tickets
