On November 27, 1978, George Moscone, the mayor of San Francisco, and Harvey Milk, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, were shot and killed inside City Hall by former Supervisor Dan White.
Twenty years later, Matthew Wayne Shepard was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie on the night of October 6, 1998.
This week, both men are front and center in our world.
Matthew’s mother, Judy, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Biden. The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law by President Obama in 2009. Judy and her husband fought tirelessly for passage of the act.
Stuart Milk, recognized for his work supporting struggling and emerging LGBTQ communities in over 60 nations on six continents will be honored at the 12th Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. He is Harvey’s nephew and will be on hand at Thursday’s event at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
The tragedy of senseless murders continue to transform into positive changes for our world.
Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide on KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs
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Bianca Del Rio: Dead Inside
The McCallum Theatre presents Bianca Del Rio, “The Joan Rivers of the Drag World” (New York Times) bringing her Dead Inside World Comedy Tour to the stage on Monday, May 6 at 8 pm. This is the seasoned comic’s sixth worldwide stand-up comedy tour. Bianca will entertain the masses with her iconic lightning-fast wit and razor-sharp tongue. Bianca will cover politics, pop culture, political correctness, current events, cancel culture, and everyday life through the eyes of someone who’s “dead inside” and finds humor in everything. As with all of her shows, there will be lots of audience interaction. Get tickets
Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
The Harvey Milk Coachella Valley Diversity Breakfast takes place on Thursday, May 9 from 8:30–11 am at the Palm Springs Convention Center (starting with coffee hour). Gather to honor Harvey Milk and celebrate his legacy as a political and community leader who stood for justice and equality across the intersections of oppression, self-identity, and self-determination. Proceeds from this event benefit Coachella Valley youth through Gay-Straight Alliance clubs and LGBTQ youth-related programs. Stuart Milk, recognized for his work supporting struggling and emerging LGBTQ communities in over 60 nations on six continents, will be honored. Get tickets
Win Firebirds Playoffs Tickets!
The Coachella Valley Firebirds are in the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs and they take on the Calgary Wranglers in the Best of 5 game series, which comes to Acrisure Arena for Game 3 on Wednesday, May 8—and YOU CAN WIN a 4-Pack of Tickets! OR: Get your tickets without fees by purchasing at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Acrisure Arena (open select dates and times, please visit CVFirebirds.com for hours of operation). Enter to WIN on the 103.1 MeTV FM Contest Page
Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival
The Palm Springs Cultural Center presents the 2024 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival from Thursday–Sunday, May 9–12. Festival director Alan K Rode says “This year’s film program features the widest possible variety of films in the noir style. Some new discoveries include Rod Steiger’s tour de force turn in Across the Bridge (1957) and the great Barbara Stanwyck dominating a compelling Cornell Woolrich-adapted suspense tale No Man of Her Own (1950). Add to that a pair of Humphrey Bogart films – Dead Reckoning (1946) opposite sultry Lizabeth Scot and The Enforcer (1950) based the infamous Murder Inc. case.” Get tickets
Concerts in the Park: The A-List
Palm Desert’s free Concerts in the Park series returns to Civic Center Park on Thursday evenings at 7 pm throughout the month of May. On Thursday, May 9, the series continues with The A-List, a crowd-pleasing, high energy dance band playing the biggest hits of yesterday and today that will have you dancing on the lawn, which is encouraged! In addition to the great music, concertgoers can enjoy delicious culinary creations offered by a variety of food trucks, or bring your own picnic basket along with blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the show. More info
Sunnylands Films in the Gardens: La La Land
The popular outdoor movie series Films in the Gardens returns to Sunnylands Center & Gardens in May, highlighting films with unique and imaginative set designs. On Friday, May 10, at 7:30 pm, the film will be La La Land (2016), starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Admission is free, carpooling is strongly encouraged. Filmgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnics. More info
The Lincoln Debate
The Bent Theatre Company presents The Lincoln Debate for an encore run to close out their season, Thursdays–Sundays, running through May 12. This play launched The Bent, and Jason Reale, who won a Best Actor award for his portrayal of Lincoln, will be back in his stovepipe hat. Join the debate and decide for yourself whether or not Abraham Lincoln might have an initial under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella that fits him, exploring the first source facts with humor and historical accuracy surrounding Lincoln’s rocky courtship with Mary Todd juxtaposed with the four years that Lincoln shared a bed with Joshua Speed, a man that history records as Lincoln’s “best friend.” Get tickets
Purple Room: The Marvelous Marilyn Maye
The Purple Room Supper Club presents The Marvelous Marilyn Maye on Friday & Saturday, May 10 & 11. Marilyn Maye is a highly praised singer, actress, director, arranger, educator, a Grammy nominated recording artist and a musical treasure. Her entire life has been committed to the art of song and performance. Maye appeared 76 times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, the record for a singer. On Sunday, May 12, The Purple Room presents hysterical comedy, outstanding music, and high camp as celebrated entertainer Michael Holmes parodies Judy Garland in The Judy Show! (dinner at 5 pm, show at 7 pm). Get tickets
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday May 6
Lesbian Hikes | Various Locations (Also Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat)
Tuesday, May 7
Positive Life Series: HIV and Spirituality | 6 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center and Zoom
Queer Colon Care Collective | 6 pm at The LGBTQ Community Center of The Desert (4 pm on Zoom)
Wednesday, May 8
Eisenhower Health Presents: Understanding Male Pelvic Health | 4–5 pm on Zoom
Annual All-Valley Multi-Chamber Networking Mixer | 5:30 pm at Palm Springs Air Museum
The Gand Band: Beatles and Beyond | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Thursday, May 9
California Feetwarmers (Ragtime, Blues, Jazz) | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Friday, May 10
Silversun Pickups | 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage
Saturday, May 11
Idyllwild Arts Community Day | 11:30 am–6 pm at Idyllwild Arts Campus
Nic & Desi: Broadway to Hollywood | 7 pm at Oscar’s Palm Springs
Sunday, May 12
Mother’s Day Brunch at Rockwood Grill | 10 am–3 pm at JW Marriott Spa & Resort
The Light in the Piazza
Palm Canyon Theatre presents The Light in the Piazza, opening Friday, May 10 and running Thursdays–Sundays until Sunday, May 19. Based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, the show is set in the 1950s in Florence, Italy, where wealthy Southern woman Margaret Johnson and her developmentally disabled daughter, Clara, are visiting. When Clara falls in love with a young Italian man, Margaret is forced to reconsider not only Clara’s future, but her own deep-seated hopes and regrets as well. Get tickets
THIS WEEKEND
Spring Exhibitions Party
The Palm Springs Art Museum presents an evening of mystical artistic inspiration at their Spring Exhibitions Party on Saturday, May 11 from 7–10 pm. Help celebrate the opening of the museum’s newest exhibition, “A Shadow Set Free,” a selection of works that convey an otherworldly aura. Attendees are encouraged to dress in striking hues—sapphire blue, ruby red, amethyst purple, citrine yellow, forest green. Guests will enjoy live music, in-museum activations, curated cocktails, and delectable bites. Get tickets
Bow Wow Bingo
Join the Palm Springs Animal Shelter for Bow Wow Bingo on Saturday, May 11 from 5–9 pm at The Sonoran. Your host Ethylina Canne will lead a night of bingo under the stars where you can play for a chance to win over $2400 in cash and prizes. VIP admission includes private cabana, appetizers, VIP cocktail server and more. Get tickets
Pride at the LA County Fair
The LGBTQ community, friends, and family are invited to join in a special Pride Day at the LA County Fair on Saturday, May 11. Wear your favorite Pride/rainbow colors and enjoy a day of food, rides, and Pride visibility with your special Pride tickets for regular admission from 11 am–6 pm with the general public and then you can stay for a Pride Dance Party with go-go dancers from 6 pm–9 pm. Entertainment includes Ray Rhodes (TigerHeat, Out on the Mountain); DJ SRO (Micky’s, Strut); DJ Cal.liente; host Samantha Starr; and drag queens Amanda Love, Ashlynn Roxx, and Fernanda La Mas. Get tickets
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
The McCallum Theatre presents The Boy Who Cried Wolf on Saturday, May 11 at 2 pm. A gifted ensemble of actor musicians (Tutti Frutti Productions) embody delightful characters, including hilarious sheep and perhaps a scary wolf or two. Best for families with children ages 4-10. Get tickets
Coming Up at The McCallum Theatre
- Tribute to Taylor Swift | Sat. Jun 1
- Wanda Sykes | Wed. & Thu. Jun 5 & 6
- Samara Joy | Sat. Jun 15
- See the full McCallum schedule on our event listing
Click below to sign up for our Gay Desert Guide Oasis Insiders Newsletter to get our Weekly Blog, Top 3 Events for the weekend, Hot Deals and Cool Events all delivered to your inbox every Friday!
Visitor Map & Guide
Check out our Spring 2024 edition of the KGAY Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide! To help you find everything you need as a visitor or local, we feature the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attractions, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries, and other services. Look for the latest edition of our printed version around town if you’re here, or if planning a visit, you can download it right here, right now!
On the Air: KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM
KGAY wants to send you on a Brand g Vacations luxury all-LGBT+ cruise to Venice, Croatia, and Sicily this summer! Listen to KGAY weekdays at 8 am, 1 pm and 5 pm for the Brand g/KGAY Cruise Song of the Day, then go to the KGAY Contest Page, enter the song name, and you’re registered to win! Brand g Vacations is the #1 operator of luxury, all-LGBT+ cruises and land tours. The contest winner will also receive roundtrip airfare provided by Palm Springs International Airport! Explore the world on your terms.
The KGAY 106.5 Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday from noon–1 pm, with DJ Galaxy (Vincent Corrales) and DJ Eric Ornelas playing an hour of their high-energy throwback mixes. On Sundays, we put all five hours together for the Retro Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm. Perfect party music! The KGAY 106.5 Sunday Tea Dance with DJ Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). DJ Modgirl (AKA Kellee McQuinn) is all about “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week. Listen to KGAY 106.5 online
On the Air: 103.1 MeTV FM
Patrick Evans, CV Independent’s Best Local Radio Personality 2023-24, hosts MeTV FM 103.1 weekdays from 10–3 pm. 103.1 MeTV FM is KGAY’s sister station, featuring a unique mix of timeless and memorable music including the ‘60s and ‘70s with a touch of the ‘50s and ‘80s. Listen online
- Bianca Del Rio: Dead Inside World Comedy Tour
Mon. May 6 at 8 pm at the McCallum Theatre - The Marvelous Marilyn Maye
Fri. & Sat. May 10 & 11 at The Purple Room Supper Club - Communities’ Finest Dance Showcase
Sat. May 18 at 5:30 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center - San Bernardino Symphony: “Revolutionaries”
Sat. May 25 at 3 pm at California Theatre of the Performing Arts - Caro Pierotto Brazilian Jazz
Thu. Jun 6 at 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
- Designer Christopher Kennedy’s Home Embraces Authenticity
- Escape the Heat with Tramway Summer Pass
- 6 Unique Ways to Experience Art and Culture in Greater Palm Springs
- Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
- Unleash Your Pride: The Ultimate Guide to Pride Outfits
Monster Shakes is passionate about creating delightful treats that everyone can enjoy, offering their very own brand of premium flavors to take home or enjoy in-store! Customers travel near and far to enjoy their MONSTER treats. You can take a mini vacay from the day and get lost in sweet goodness with over-the-top Monster Shakes, 9 Dole Whips, and frozen yogurt with dairy-free, vegan, and sugar-free available too. With our Monster Shakes BOGO HOT DEAL, you buy one $25 gift card and get a second $25 gift card for free! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Desert Zen Day Spa, Men’s Grooming Spot, Rick’s Desert Grill, PS Homeboys, Zin American Bistro, Destination PSP and more! See All Deals
Find out what’s happening on any given day by browsing our Gay Desert Guide Online Event Listing Calendar, and for the big picture, take a look at major upcoming events in our 2024 Coachella Valley Calendar of Events.
Listen to KGAY 106.5 and 92.1 over the air, stream it [here], or listen on TuneIn Radio with Alexa or Siri by saying “Play K-GAY 1065 from Tune In Radio.” John Taylor is on mornings 6–10 am and program director Chris Shebel is on afternoons. Our Retro Lunch with DJ Galaxy and DJ Eric Ornelas is now heard on Sundays as the Retro Lunch & Sunday Brunch from 11 am–4 pm, followed by DJ Modgirl spinning the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm.