“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity” is a quote attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca. As we mark the last week of Pride month, I’m counting my lucky stars for all the press we have received this month. It’s unprecedented!
Last week, I was contacted by Fiona Ng from LAist, the NPR news organization heard locally on KPCC’s stations. She had just got wind of KGAY and K-Gay Desert Guide and wanted to know more. After interviews with Program Driector Chris Shebel and myself, the story broke over the weekend. It not only appeared on their website, clips also aired on KPCC.
Zig Ziglar said it another way — “Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation”. KGAY may never have come about without the foundational work that I did with Gay Desert Guide. It will celebrate 11 full years of serving our community with events, LGBTQ+ news, and a well-supported business directory. It has supplanted the yellow pages and “gay rags” that have mostly gone away in the digital era.
I started the guide after a consulting project with Palm Springs Life 12 years ago hatched the idea. My many years in radio and publishing prepared me to take the plunge and start GayDesertGuide.LGBT. You’re reading it now – and the volume of information that we publish each week is truly amazing. My team curates content from around the world to bring readers and listeners recommendations and information for our LGBTQ+ communities.
So I’m thankful for the recognition we’ve received this year, starting with The New York Times, and followed this month by our segment of American Dream on HGTV, and now KPCC. The community support – including that of our advertisers – has truly been amazing. What a memorable Pride month this will be forever!
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!
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Pride Monument Community Meeting
Community members are invited to a community meeting and conceptual introduction to the Pride Monument, a permanent art installation in Palm Springs, on Tuesday, June 25 from 5–6 pm at Hunters Nightclub. The Pride Monument Board, an operating unit of Greater Palm Springs Pride, will present plans for a new large-scale public art installation to commemorate, honor, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions to the city. The goal is for the piece to be completed by 2026 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Pride in Palm Springs. Allison Jones, president, and other board members will facilitate the meeting. More info
Palm Springs International ShortFest Best of Fest Monday
The Palm Springs International Film Society wraps up the Palm Springs International ShortFest, celebrating its 30th year, with the Best of Fest on Monday, June 24 at the Regal Palm Springs. See the favorites, grouped into six programs, of one of the largest showcases of short-form cinema in North America, including films that go on to be nominated for Academy Awards, BAFTAs and Goya awards. Get tickets
Firebirds in Calder Cup Finals
For the second year in a row, the Coachella Valley Firebirds are Western Conference Champions and playing in the Calder Cup Finals, which is also a rematch with the Hershey Bears, last year’s Calder Cup winners. The Bears are currently up in the series, 3 games to 2, and Game 6 will be played in Hershey, PA on Monday, June 24. Then it’s Game 7 on Wednesday, June 26 if necessary—and at this point we hope it is necessary!
- ? Games will be carried live by local TV networks [More info].
- Acrisure Arena honored LGBTQ+ Pride month with a “Pathway to Pride” ?️? rainbow crosswalk. Go Firebirds!
The Center Social
The LGBTQ Community Center of The Desert presents The Center Social for June on Wednesday, June 26 from 5:30–7 pm, held this month at Chill Bar and sponsored by KGAY’s own sister station, MeTV Music 103.1 FM. Look forward to connection, friendship, and a tasty happy hour! More info
Abi Carter Concert
The newly-crowned winner of American Idol, Abi Carter, is bringing her first headlining concert to Acrisure Arena on Saturday, July 27. Tickets will be available starting with an artist presale beginning Tuesday, June 25. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, June 28 at 10 am. Carter, an Indio native, has been widely celebrated here in the Coachella Valley as she honed her skills on local stages, ultimately winning the top spot on American Idol, determined by viewer voting, proving that Coachella Valley dreams can reach the national spotlight. Get ready to see Abi’s star continue to rise! Get tickets
Cocktail Cinema: Get Out
The Palm Springs Art Museum and the Palm Springs International Film Society present Cocktail Cinema, a film series whose theme this season will be films that shed light on the dark side of suburban living, revealing the hidden struggles and tribulations behind the facade of the perfectly manicured lawns and white picket fences. Screenings are on Thursdays at 6 pm at the Annenberg Theater (with a 5 pm movie-inspired cocktail hour in the Meyerman Garden). The series continues on Thursday, June 27 with the 2017 Horror/Comedy film Get Out, where a weekend visit to his girlfriend’s family turns into a terrifying struggle for survival for a Black man facing a sinister secret. Upcoming films include: Edward Scissorhands (7/11), and Parasite (7/25). Get tickets
LGBTQ+ Archives Pride Month Display
The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert is showcasing some of its collection at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library in June in honor of National Pride Month. The Pride Month Display highlights the breadth and depth of the donations and acquisitions received during the last five years. The display includes publications, travel guides, commemorative pins, posters, and other memorabilia, viewable during the month of June during regular library hours: Monday–Sunday 10 am–6 pm, with extended hours on Thursday until 8 pm. More info
ALSO THIS WEEK
Monday, June 24
Meet Openly Gay Rabbi JB Sacks | 4 pm at Temple Sinai, Palm Desert
Crystal Meth Anonymous: Stop the Insanity | 7 pm at The Center
Tuesday, June 25
Red Cross Training on Household and Extreme Heat Preparedness | 4–6 pm at Racquet Club West
Hot Summer Nights at the Palm Desert Aquatic Center | 7:30–10:30 pm
Wednesday, June 26
Tremoloco – Tex Mex Blues & Sonoran Folk | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Summer Cabaret Series: Philip Chaffin | 7 pm at CVRep
Gay Naked Talk Show w/Guest Jack Dixon (2nd Show Added) | 7 pm at Dietlart Gallery
Thursday, June 27
Big Beat Drum w/Andy Fraga and Friends | 7 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs
Summer Cabaret Series: Ken Page | 7 pm at CVRep
Saturday, June 29
Gyptuoso – Jeremie Levi Samson | 5:30–7:30 pm at Palm Springs Cultural Center
Grace Potter | 8 pm at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Sunday, June 30
Intocable Tour 30 Aniversario | 8 pm Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
Jazz in the Pines final Concert Series Begins | Thru July 13 at Idyllwild Arts
Ask a Gay Doc: Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community
Dr. Renzo Corzano and KGAY’s John Taylor are answering your health-related questions in the Ask A Gay Doc series, sponsored by Desert Oasis Healthcare. In Episode 7, John and Dr. Corzano are joined by Dr. Jill Hingston, Director of Behavioral Health Services at thecentercv.org. The subject? Mental health in the LGBTQ+ community. Watch the Ask a Gay Doc series, and find out how you can submit your own questions, on the Ask a Gay Doc page at kgaypalmsprings.com.
NEW! Visitor Map & Guide Summer 2024 Edition
Check out our NEW Summer 2024 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!
THIS WEEKEND
Equality Wine & Food Fest 2024
The Equality Wine & Food Fest takes place on Saturday, June 29 from 1–4 pm at Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs. Now in its second year, this specialty wine event features LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and Women owned and/or produced wines, showcasing the immense depth and diversity of wines from Sonoma, Napa, Amador, and other key wine regions. Festival goers will enjoy over 60 wines, food samples, live entertainment, educational speakers, demonstrations, silent auction, and VIP experiences (VIP tasting starts one hour early at 12 pm). Get tickets
San Francisco Pride
San Francisco Pride celebrates this weekend, June 29 & 30, with the theme Beacon of Love. The Pride Parade, featuring Celebrity Grand Marshal Billy Porter, starts on Sunday at 10:30 am along Market Street and ends in a celebration at the Civic Center which continues through 5 pm. Additional performers on Saturday and Sunday include Adore Delano, Princess Drag Extravaganza, Nina Sky, Rêve, and many more. More info
Men’s Choruses Combined Concert
Artistic directors Jerry Soria-Foust and Dr. Stan Hill have created the first joint concert featuring the combined singers of Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus and Modern Men – Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus on Sunday, June 30 at 4 pm at the magnificent St. Theresa’s in Palm Springs. In this SOLD OUT concert, each organization will sing the repertoire which they will perform this July in Minneapolis at GALA Choruses Festival 2024. The Choruses will represent the Coachella Valley by singing for 170 LGBTQ+ choirs and over 7000 musicians. More info
Displacement: Stories from Section 14
The Green Room Theatre Company presents an innovative theatre reading, Displacement: Stories from Section 14 on Friday, June 28 at 6:30 pm and Saturday, June 29 at 2 pm and 6:30 pm and Sunday, June 30 at 2 pm at the Coachella Library Community Room. The show will address the many complex layers in the history of Section 14, a one-square-mile tract in downtown Palm Springs. In the mid-60’s the homes of Latino, Black, and other family homes were bulldozed and burned to make way for development, without compensation or housing options for displaced residents. Get tickets
NEW! “Say KGAY” Apparel
This Pride season, the best response to “Don’t Say Gay” is “SAY KGAY!” – Our popular shirts are back with more options to choose your favorite background color and style of shirt. Whether you prefer the shade of Eggplant, Creme, or Army green (or more than a dozen others) pick a color and place our Say KGAY slogan on the front or back of your choice of styles: classic T-Shirt, Relaxed Fit, Long Sleeve, Baseball 3/4 Sleeve, Scoop, Fitted, Tank Top, Racerback, V-Neck and more! Shop Now
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!
KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM
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
103.1 MeTV FM
Tuesday, June 25 is Carly Simon‘s birthday, and 103.1 MeTV FM is celebrating all day with songs by this influential artist! 103.1 MeTV FM is KGAY’s sister station, featuring timeless and memorable music including the ‘60s and ‘70s with a touch of the ‘50s and ‘80s. Listen online
- Best of Fest: Palm Springs International ShortFest 2024
Jun 24 at the Regal Palm Springs - Cocktail Cinema: Get Out
Thu. Jun 27 at the Annenberg Theater - The Full Star Wars Saga in Epic Big-Screen Glory
Saturdays, Jun 29–Sep 7 at Palm Springs Cultural Center - All-American Fourth of July Celebration Week in Palm Springs
Jul 3–7 at Sunrise Park, Ruth Hardy Park, Downtown Park - Rock the City Free Concert: Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute)
Thu. Jul 4 at 7 pm at Sunrise Park - Bye Bye Birdie – presented by Palm Canyon Theatre
Jul 5–14 - ONE-PS Lip-Sync Battle 2024
Sun. Jul 7 at 3 pm - Palm Springs Leather Pride 2024: Deeper Than Ever
Oct 24–27
- Marilyn Monroe Statue: Huge in Palm Springs
- Coming Out: Experts Highlight Mental Health Challenges and Resources for LGBTQ Youth
- Palm Springs LGBTQ+ History Celebrated at Welwood Murray Library
- Desert After Dark: Places Open Late in Greater Palm Springs
- Eight Reasons to Visit Greater Palm Springs This Summer
Destination PSP produces unique, originally-designed merchandise including souvenirs, customized apparel, poolside wares, housewares and more. Celebrate ShortFest with official festival merch like t-shirts, mugs, magnets and more, featuring Shag’s poster design for ShortFest 2024. Discover all the ways that Destination PSP is quintessential Palm Springs! Save 50% with our HOT DEAL: Get a $30 gift card from Destination PSP for just $15! Get Your Deal
We also have Hot Deals at Zin American Bistro, Hotel Zoso, Men’s Grooming Spot, Monster Shakes, Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Desert Zen Day Spa, PS Homeboys, 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.