Dianne Feinstein’s death as we go into the weekend brings back the memory of my first exposure to her: Announcing the assassinations of San Francisco’s Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. I was a closeted college kid at the time and didn’t know much about Milk and the legacy he was leaving. But I remember watching the candlelight vigil unfold, and later “White Night” violence.
Feinstein’s 45 years on since that event have helped shape American politics and policy to an extent that we’ll be hearing and reading about for some time. Her nearly three decades in the US Senate made Feinstein the oldest woman ever to serve in that chamber.
I’m grateful we had her in the Senate as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Now the speculation begins in earnest as to her replacement. Oprah??
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Boo2Bullying 10th Anniversary
Boo2Bullying Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary with a free Community Wellness Festival & Celebrity Kickball Game on Saturday, September 30 from 7:30 am–2 pm at Sunrise Park and the Palm Springs Pavilion, featuring community booths, youth activities, a speaker series, free food truck and a celebrity kickball game featuring celebrities from the entertainment industry and from the Coachella Valley. Advance registration recommended. More info
Cinema Diverse Weekend 2
The 16th edition of Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Film Festival presents their second full weekend of screenings, September 28–October 1 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Tickets and passes are now on sale.
Just a couple of the highlights to look forward to this weekend include: Nelly & Nadine (Saturday, September 30 at 2:30 pm): An astonishing love story between two women that begins in a WWII concentration camp (Read more), and The Floating Man (Sunday, October 1 at 3 pm) is a nuanced exploration of how so many people find themselves caught between rigid gender lines of woman or man, unable to express their fuller selves (Read more). Get tickets/passes
House Husbands at Cinema Diverse
House Husbands is being shown as part of Cinema Diverse’s Short Set, “Funny Films” on Friday, September 29 at 12:30 pm. Sam Pancake stars as Sylvester, a middle-aged gay man whose wealthy, handsome husband has decided to trade him in for a younger man. House Husbands is a comedic look at incestuous, upper class social circles and how they can go from lush to toxic very quickly. It’s a modern satire centered around gay men in Palm Springs loosely based on Clare Luce’s The Women. Get tickets
Palm Springs and Palm Desert Farmers’ Markets
The outdoor season of the Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market returns on Saturday, September 30 (and continues every Saturday outdoors through May) from 8 am–1 pm next to the Palm Springs Cultural Center. In addition to a variety of California Farmers and Value Added Vendors who will be selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, cheeses, honey, organic coffee, flowers, rugelah, prepared foods, soups, herb-infused chocolates, soaps, and more, there is music by local musicians, food demonstrations, and a variety of special events each week. More info
The Palm Desert Farmers’ Market returns this weekend as well, reopening outdoors on Sunday, October 1 from 8 am–1 pm in its original location at the Entrada Center, conveniently situated alongside the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce . The Market will be open every Sunday through the end of April, and shoppers can expect to enjoy live music, new vendors, and the highest quality, small farm-direct produce. More info
Riverside County Scare and Pumpkin Festival
The Riverside County SCARE and Pumpkin Festival takes place on weekends from September 29–October 31 at the Riverside County Fairgrounds. This new family tradition merges the playful mystique of Halloween with the rich traditions of the Day of the Dead. Visit a magical town in the spirit world featuring an immersive experience in three gorgeous themed realms: Plaza Fantazma is a haven for family-friendly fun, Cantina Calacas features festive brews celebrating Oktoberfest, and Carnival Carnivore is a heart-pounding haunted house for thrill-seekers ages 16+. Get tickets
Friday Fusion with DJ Galaxy
DJ Galaxy, of KGAY’s Retro Lunch and Retro Sunday Brunch, is spinning on Fridays from 4–8 pm with Friday Fusion at Impala Bar & Grill! This Friday T-Dance Happy Hour Social features beats by Galaxy, sexy GoGo boys and daddies, pop-up performances by drag kings and queens and other celebrities, with flagging by Desert Flaggers and hosted by Snatch. This weekly party from the producer who brought back Boyz Night Out celebrates equality, diversity, and inclusion. No cover; food and drink specials throughout. More info
Sunnylands Films in the Gardens: The Breakfast Club
Sunnylands brings back their Films in the Gardens series with a trio of back-to-school films from the 1980s. The series concludes this week with The Breakfast Club (1985) on Friday, September 29 at 7:30 pm. Synopsis: Five high school students meet in Saturday detention and discover how they have a great deal more in common than they thought. Free of charge, no reservations required, gates open at 6 pm, carpooling and small picnics encouraged. More info
Planned Parenthood’s 60th Anniversary
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest presents the 60th Anniversary Riverside County Cocktail Reception on Friday, September 29 at 5:30 pm at the Avalon Hotel Palm Springs. Our local affiliate has grown from an information booth in Balboa Park, San Diego, to the most trusted name in sexual and reproductive health care, with 19–and soon to be 20–health centers across three counties, a strong education program, and the most committed advocates for rights and justice. Come for an engaging evening featuring an educational program, live music by The B Sections, and “Artists for Planned Parenthood” exhibition. More info
Diversity and Racial Equity Conference
The Diversity and Racial Equity team of the Palm Springs Unified School District presents its second annual Diversity and Racial Equity Conference on Saturday, September 30 from 9 am–2 pm. This year’s theme is “Racial Healing and Resilience.” A panel of seven students and a keynote speaker, Diana Ceja with the Riverside County Office of Education, will speak on this year’s theme — racial healing and resilience. There will also be several breakout sessions. Light breakfast and plated lunch included, registration required. More info
