This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings
October 12–14, 2018

 

Let us be your Gay Desert Guide to the weekend! The Palm Springs Equality Awards will honor leaders both national and local, we pause to reflect on National Coming Out Day as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death, and we speak with Judy and Dennis Shepard in our podcast interview. Plus, tonight is OUTPSP! The Left Coast Lesbian Literary Conference is going on this weekend, and we look ahead to Pride celebrations for San Gabriel Valley, Oceanside, Desert Hot Springs, and Palm Springs' own Leather Pride. Also upcoming: Casual Concours car show, Lea DeLaria, and a whole list of get-your-tickets-now events conveniently collected in one place for you here! All this plus Hot Deals, Happy Hours and our Top Bookmarks of the week!

 

National Coming Out Day and Matthew Shepard Anniversary

Thursday, October 11 is National Coming Out Day, and tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death, followed by the “birth” of his foundation. The Matthew Shepard Foundation is honoring his memory and marking the anniversary with the MSF Heart/Fence Challenge. The purpose is to spread love, erase hate, and remind other LGBTQ+ folks that they have allies by writing something kind on a paper heart and attaching it to a fence. Take a picture and share it on social media with the hashtags #MSF20 and #EraseHate to amplify the message. More info

Gay Desert Guide's Brad Fuhr interviewed Matthew Shepard's parents Dennis and Judy Shepard about their thoughts on the 20th anniversary of his murder in Wyoming. The Shepards were speakers at the 2018 NLGJA conference at Hotel Zoso. The conference location was just steps from where activist George Zander was attacked as the victim of a hate crime in 2015. Listen to the interview

 

OUTPSP: A Kickoff to Pride Weekend

OUT PSP: A Kickoff to Pride will take place tonight from 5:30–8:00 p.m., at El Mirador Plaza, brought to you by Greater Palm Springs Pride and Gay Desert Guide. Gather your friends and start Pride early with tastings from Coachella Valley Restaurants & Beverage Purveyors. Drop in and sip on a signature cocktail at the open bar while you watch the sun set behind the San Jacinto Mountains and listen to music by DJ Baz. The gathering is our opportunity to celebrate National Coming Out Day and meet the Grand Marshals of the Pride Parade. All proceeds from OUT PSP support the Pride organization’s efforts to foster Pride in and respect for the region’s LGBT communities and keep the Palm Springs Pride Festival free for all to attend. Get tickets
 

George Zander Candlelight Vigil and March

 

Join Palm Springs Pride to reflect, remember, and stand up against hate violence around the world on Thursday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. on La Plaza, in front of Grand Central. Participants will join in memory of all victims of hate crimes and remember George Zander on the 3rd anniversary of the day he and Chris Zander were attacked in downtown Palm Springs. George died on December 10, 2015. The vigil will begin on La Plaza, in front of Grand Central, and features a rally and march through the heart of Palm Springs. We will be handing out MSF Heart/Fence Challenge hearts that evening.  More info

Palm Springs Equality Awards

On Saturday, October 13, at 5:30 p.m., EQCA’s Equality Awards will honor the inspirational leaders and outstanding allied organizations whose selfless work helps create a more fair and just society. Among California’s premier gala events, attendants regularly include leaders of the LGBT equality movement, and leaders from the business, nonprofit, civic and political landscapes. This year's Palm Springs Equality Awards honorees include: Don Lemon, anchor of CNN Tonight with Don Lemon,  Hon. Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Vice Chair, House Democratic Caucus, and local advocates Ann Sheffer & Bill Scheffler. The evening's emcee is Jai Rodriguez, with a musical performance by Brandon Stansell. Get tickets

Lea DeLaria Ticket Giveaway

Orange is the New Black star Lea DeLaria is coming to town and we are giving away free tickets!

[Click Here] and enter to win! You can enter once a day!

On Thursday, November 8 at 8:00 p.m. DeLaria will give a one-of-a-kind performance of comedy and jazz vocals at the McCallum Theatre; she has performed in some of the most prestigious houses in the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Chicago Symphony, Hollywood Bowl, The Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House. More info

Left Coast Lesbian Literary Conference

The 6th Annual Left Coast Literary Conference runs Wednesday, October 10 through Sunday, October 14 at the Mojave Resort and brings Lesfic readers, writers, and publishers together from around the U.S. to promote lesbian literature and to inspire up-and-coming writers. The LCLC consists of four fun-filled days packed with panel discussions, workshops, author chats, author readings, and a special keynote speaker event at the Palm Springs Library. Open to all Lesfic authors, editors, publishers and readers regardless of publishing status or publishing house. More info

 

Casual Concours, The Desert's Fabulous Midcentury Car Show

Modernism Week Fall Preview presents Casual Concours, The Desert’s Most Fabulous Midcentury Car Show on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m at the Desert Princess Country Club. Casual Concours X is the tenth annual gathering of significant post-war automobiles, with over 100 museum-quality cars on display. This finest mid century car show in the Coachella Valley is organized by Great Autos of Yesteryear (GAY), Southern California’s largest LGBTQ car club, and the show has a focus on styling, color, luxury features, historical significance and showroom condition—in other words, mid century glamour! This year benefiting Sanctuary Palm Springs. – Get tickets

Tesloop Suspends Shuttle Service

Tesloop, the company that would rent you a Tesla to drive from, say, Palm Springs to LA, used to serve the Coachella Valley and surrounding area, but has announced the suspension of their shuttle services to focus their attention on their new product, Carmiq, to be the “world's first connected car community.” Learn more

Never fear, FlixBus is here! We've partnered with FlixBus to provide great rates on luxury motor coach trips in and out of the Coachella Valley.  Visit their listing HERE.

 

SGV, Oceanside, DHS and Leather Pride Celebrations 

The 17th annual San Gabriel Valley Pride Festival is returning to Pasadena's Central Park on Saturday, October 13 from 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. and will feature live entertainment, author's forum, a health fair, community art project, classic car show, pet area and adoption, and children's area. More info

 

Also on Saturday, October 13: Oceanside's Pride By the Beach, presented by the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, to be held at Oceanside Civic Center from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. The festival will have entertainment on two stages, midway games, a youth zone, and food. More info

 

The 2nd annual Desert Hot Springs Pride is on Sunday, October 21 from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. at Cabot's Pueblo Museum. Entertainment includes headliner Keisha D with Modern Men, College of the Desert Ballet Folklorico Dance Troupe, Kevin Miller, Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus, JBoy, Jinza, Rocco Patrick, Larry Bennett, and more. More info

Palm Springs Leather Pride Weekend is one of the largest, longest-running, and most successful Leather events in the country and this year takes place October 25–28 with pool parties, dances, and of course the 24th annual Mr. Palm Springs Leather contest, held at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Get tickets

 

Quick Quack DHS Pride Fundraiser

Speaking of DHS Pride, Quick Quack Car Wash presents a fundraiser on Saturday, October 13 from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., at each of five Coachella Valley locations to benefit Diversity DHS. Bring in the flyer and a portion of the proceeds from your car wash will be donated! Get your flyer

 

Zach & Evan are Getting Married in Palm Springs

YouTube personalities Zach & Evan are planning their Palm Springs wedding for January 2019, and they are excited to announce that Alexander Rodriguez of On the Rocks Radio will be their Master of Ceremonies. On the Rocks With Alexander is a weekly show covering entertainment, current events, gossip and movie reviews with celebrity guests, broadcast live every Tuesday at 7 pm PST on UBNRadio.com. Alexander is going to bring tons of humor and excitement to Zach & Evan's wedding, and the happy couple cannot wait to celebrate their day with him running the show. 

Follow On the Rocks Radio:

Instagram: @ontherocksonair
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OnTheRocksRadioShow/
Twitter: @OntheRocksOnAir

Visit Zach & Evan's official wedding website: www.theknot.com/us/zachandevan2019

 

 

Tickets on Sale Now

Mark your calendars–and secure your tickets–for these upcoming featured events!

Go gourmet for 1/3 off at On the Mark Fine Food and Provisions! Restaurateur Mark Van Laanen, former partner and restaurant chef of both Trio restaurant and The Purple Room, has a passion for taking the ordinary and turning it to extraordinary, which he has done with this one of a kind gourmet food market and deli. With this HOT DEAL you get a $15 gift certificate for only $10! Get Your Deal

Love mexican food? You will love Rio Azul! Try their delicious tacos, enchiladas and tasty margaritas at one of the best Mexican restaurants in the desert! Get this insanely HOT DEAL of $50 worth of food and drink for only $30! You can also put that gift certificate to WERK with “The Desert Divas Drag Brunch” comedy, broadway music and female impersonator show, Sundays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 pm .Get Your Deal
 

The friendly crowd at Trunks is there for the pool tables, sports on the multiple TVs and the all-day well-drink specials. Every Friday at 6:00 p.m. they have DJ Robb Roberts spinning your favorite hits from the past for Retro Night, and at 8:00 “Fridays are a Drag” with Divas on the Dancefloor with Anita Treadmill! Get Happy at Trunks

Join Wang's in the Desert daily for their Happy Hour from 3:00–8:00 p.m. Fridays are time for Boys' Night Out social hour and pre-party on the patio from 3:00–8:00 p.m., on Saturdays DJ Peter Barona tears up the house for Dance Factory at 9:00 p.m. Get Happy at Wang's

Welcome New Partners of Gay Desert Guide!

Quick Quack Car Wash is Fun, Fast and Clean!
  • Fun – Big. Yellow. Duck. Plus a car wash show full of lights and colors. Plus free vacuums!
  • Fast – Get a quality wash in just 3 MINUTES with no waiting in long lines or lobbies. 
  • Clean – CLEAN CAR GUARANTEE means you always look good & leave happy.
And don't forget: on Saturday, October 13 from 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., at each of five Coachella Valley locations your car wash will benefit Diversity DHS. Just Bring the flyer

Top Bookmarks of the Week on GayDesertGuide.LGBT

  1. 8 Tips to Maximize Your Time and See It All at Modernism Week’s Fall Preview
  2. 40 Under Forty Class in Coachella Valley Named by Palm Springs Life
  3. New Restaurants to Try this Fall in Greater Palm Springs
  4. Christopher Kennedy Reinvents Alexander Home in Palm Springs
  5. Alexander's Monday Movie News – Bear World Magazine
Bookmarks are articles from news sources around the globe, which have featured stories about the Coachella Valley and the great things that happen here.  So follow us on social media and keep up with news from sources far and wide.