What were Pride parades like in the 1970s just after Stonewall? Pat Rocco documented them on film and later, video, in archives that live today due to the efforts of UCLA Film & Television Archives, OUTFEST and locally, the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert.
Sunday night, those moments were brought out of the closest – literally – and shown to us during a wide-ranging program of LGBTQ+ home movies and early local gay scenes. (Thanks to Deserted Films for the program).
What struck me was that the attire from those early days haven’t changed much in over half a century. That parade down Hollywood Boulevard featured proverbial drag queens, men in tight tights, butch women and all the colors of our rainbow. What has changed is that our movement has expanded and continues to galvanize from the days of our forebearers. We always come to the rescue of those in need – like lesbians helping gay men during the AIDS crisis.
That is true today as the headlines blare against our trans brothers and sisters. Here in California, a transgender high school athlete became political fodder for tRump and the conservatives. As if there aren’t bigger issues, his posts on social media and executive orders fan the flames of hate toward our LGBTQ+ communities. That’s why it’s important to stand together and used past as prologue to know that it’s not just transgender rights that are at stake. If they had their way, we’d all be driven back in the closet.
It’s exhausting to pay attention and keep up the fight, but that’s what we must do. While parades and Pride commemorations will continue this month, the battles we are waging won’t end on June 30th.
Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide
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ALL WEEK: 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
TUE: Positive Life Series End of Season Pizza Party
Wrap up the season with great conversation and delicious pizza at the Positive Life Series End-of-Season Pizza Party on Tuesday, June 3 from 6–7 pm at The Palm Springs Cultural Center. Join Ami Student, PhD, for an insightful talk on Body Dysmorphia and HIV, while connecting with the community in a welcoming space. More info
TUE: Dining Out Book Release
Celebrate the rich history of LGBTQ+ restaurants with Dining Out: First Dates, Defiant Nights, and Last Call Disco Fries at America’s Gay Restaurants by Erik Piepenburg, arriving in bookstores Tuesday, June 3. This immersive and revelatory journey explores how queer dining spaces—from automats to drag brunches—have fostered community, resilience, and activism. Through archival material, firsthand accounts, and insightful storytelling, Piepenburg offers a culinary tour through decades of LGBTQ+ placemaking.
WED: 1st Wednesday Art Walk with “Women in the Wild”
Discover the vibrant local art scene at the 1st Wednesday Art Walk @ Backstreet Art District on Wednesday, June 4 from 5–7 pm. This free event will feature the exciting “Women in the Wild Show” opening at Kee Gallery, showcasing five amazing women desert painters who capture the essence of our beautiful desert landscapes, following in the footsteps of Georgia O’Keefe and Agnes Pelton. More info
THU: Give OUT 2025
Give OUT Day 2025 is the national day of giving dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ nonprofits across the country! On Thursday, June 5, individuals and organizations come together to raise funds and awareness for vital programs that uplift and empower the community. Whether you donate, spread the word, or engage with local initiatives, every contribution makes a difference. Join the movement and help strengthen LGBTQ+ causes—because giving OUT means lifting up! More info
THU-SUN: 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
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
ALL WEEK: 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
FRI: Barnsdall Art Park Fridays Return
Heading to (or staying in) LA for the weekend? Sip, savor, and support the arts at Barnsdall Fridays Wine Tasting, returning for an extended 16th season from June 6–Sept 26. Enjoy artisanal wines from Silverlake Wine, local food trucks, and live DJ sets from 5:30–9 pm on the stunning Olive Hill, home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House. All proceeds benefit Barnsdall Art Park programs, making this the ultimate summer wine experience in LA. More info
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, June 2
Bingo with Bella da Ball | 7–9 pm at Ace Hotel & Swim Club
Thursday, June 5
Coachella Valley All-Star Baseball Classic | 6–8 pm at Palm Springs Stadium
VillageFest | 7–10 pm (Summer Hours Begin) in Downtown Palm Springs
Friday, June 6
Food Truck Fridays | 5–10 pm in Downtown Indio
Saturday, June 7
The Totally Ridiculous Gameshow | 7 pm at Dietlart Gallery and Performance Space
Country Dance Saturdays: The Fighter Line Dance with Andrew Jimenez | 7 pm at Step by Step
THIS WEEKEND
Pride Month Festivals & Parades
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 from June 11–29, 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!
Equality Food & Wine Fest
Raise a glass to diversity and inclusion at the 3rd Annual Palm Springs Equality Wine & Food Fest, happening Saturday, June 7 from 12–4 pm at a new location this year: the Hyatt Palm Springs. Enjoy over 100 wines from LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and women-owned wineries, plus food samples, live entertainment, demonstrations, and a silent auction. Enhance the experience with music by KGAY’s Sunday T-Dance DJ, Modgirl, setting the perfect vibe! Get tickets
Annual Palm Springs Firefighters Fish Fry
Join the 92nd Annual Palm Springs Firefighters Fish Fry on Saturday, June 7 at 6 pm at Ruth Hardy Park. Enjoy a delicious feast of rainbow trout, burgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, coleslaw, and more—all for just $15. Cool off with cold beverages, grab a homemade treat, and connect with local firefighters at this beloved Palm Springs tradition. More info
Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival
Celebrate emerging talent at the Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival on Sunday, June 8 at 12 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Experience two winning original plays—The Kellogg Murders and Seven—crafted by brilliant young writers. Don’t miss this exciting showcase of creativity and storytelling. Get tickets
