Florida’s draconian policies and laws are having an effect on travel and tourism, in addition to the toll that they take on residents.
Case in point: the IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association) has selected Palm Springs as its 2025 Global Convention destination. Many in our community worked hard to land this conference, confirming the event’s return to the US West Coast for the first time since 2015. Florida was also in the running.
According to the release, “Known for its thriving LGBTQ+ community and welcoming atmosphere, Palm Springs is set to provide an unforgettable experience for attendees from around the world. IGLTA is proud to partner with Visit Greater Palm Springs to make this historic event possible.”
It’s a big win when a major conference chooses our destination not only for the economic impact, but it also allows us to show off to the world. We’re not a “best kept secret” by a long stretch, and I’m happy that we’ll be hosting! Stay tuned for yet another LGBTQ+ conference announcement soon!
This Weekend in #ILoveGayPalmSprings
June 16–18, 2023
We’re keeping you updated on the weekend’s Top Events: Heklina’s Birthday Memorial & Roast Screening, No Time to Spare – HRC Palm Springs Bowling for Equality, Sexy Daddy Contests for Father’s Day, Coachella 2024 Advance Sale, Low Dez Fest Summer Preview, Sunday Supper: A Juneteenth “Family” Reunion, Screwball Sundays, Native American Arts Festival Week kicks off …and more!
Celebrate the life of Heklina with love, laughs and filthy jokes on Saturday, June 17 (her birthday) from 7–9 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. Presenters include Mario Diaz, Vanity Halston and Anita Treadmill, with performances by Heklina’s friends Deven Green & Handsome Ned, Mutha Chucka, Monistat and Matthew Martin & Andy Clements. Followed by very special screenings of: Heklina, a 2013 documentary short by Brian Favorite, and The Drag Roast of Heklina (2019) courtesy of Revry. Proceeds benefit Animal Samaritans and the ACLU Drag Defense Fund. Get tickets
Bowling for Equality
The HRC Palm Springs Bowling for Equality event is back this Sunday, June 18 from 2:30–4:30 pm at Palm Springs Lanes. This fundraiser couldn’t take place at a more urgent time. With relentless attacks in state legislatures across the country on LGBTQ+ youth and their families, we have “No Time to Spare” in the fight for equality. Join your fellow HRC members and supporters at the Palm Springs Lanes for a great afternoon of bowling, fun, and friends—whether you’re bowling or not—come to support HRC’s work to advance equality for all LGBTQ+ people. More info
Father’s Day
Sunday, June 18 is Father’s Day and both Streetbar and Hunters are holding Sexy Daddy Contests! Are you a sexy daddy or do you know one? Hunters holds their contest from 1–3 pm and Streetbar will hold theirs from 4–6 pm. Come to compete or just to celebrate the sexy daddies. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded for each bar. More info
We have a featured Hot Deal for savings at AMP Sports Loungethis week, plus we have deals at Coachella Valley Coffee Co., Palm Springs Fine Men’s Salon, Papa Dan’s Pizza and Pasta, Il Giardino, Zin American Bistro, Destination PSP, V Wine Lounge & Martini Bar, Desert Mischief, Jolene’s Bar & Lounge, Rick’s Restaurant, Willie’s Modern Fare, Kitchen 86, Lulu California Bistro and more!
The Summer 2023 edition of our Gay Desert Guide Visitor Map & Guide (great for locals too!) is available now around town and online! We help you find everything you need to know while visiting or living in the Coachella Valley, featuring the top places for Food & Drink, Nightlife, Shopping, Attraction, Gay Resorts with passes, Dispensaries and other services. You can also view it online, and download the PDF [here].
On the Air
Pride Under The Pines returns to Idyllwild on Saturday October 7 and KGAY has your top tier VIP tickets to join John Taylor on the KGAY Party Bus! You get free drinks and incredible entertainment by fabulous and hilarious drag queens on the ride to the top of the mountain in style. Plus, you’ll have access to an open bar, an interactive movie and a special meet-and-greet with this year’s headliner. Pride Under the pines features fabulous entertainers for a fun day of music, drag shows, dancing, entertainment, food, drinks, vendors, and more, plus music by the amazing @djgalaxyps and vibe curator @djalexd_ Enter to Win on the KGAY Contest Page
KGAY 106.5 and Gay Desert Guide have your chance to WIN 2 Tickets to the 29th Annual Palm Springs International ShortFest, the largest showcase of short form cinema in North America. The exciting 7 day festival will be screening 300 shorts from 65 countries. There’s something for everyone…horror, drama, comedy, documentary and LGBT + films. Tickets are good for a ShortFest screening consisting of 4–9 short films programmed together for a cohesive experience. Enter to Win on the KGAY Contest Page
Out in the Vineyard’s Gay Wine Weekend2023 is July 14–16, a perfect time to get out of the desert to visit Northern California for 3 full nights of LGBT events in the magnificent Sonoma Valley, home to some of the world’s most prestigious wines and wineries, and KGAY and Gay Desert Guide have your chance to WIN a VIP Party Pass Package for 2! To enter, all you have to do is scan the QR code at our participating sponsors: V Wine Lounge, Gay Mart USA, Frank Clothiers, Palm Springs Bottle Shop, and Q Trading Company!
The KGAY Sunday Tea Dance with DJ Modgirl airs every Sunday from 4–6 pm (right after the Retro Brunch). DJ Modgirl (AKA Kellee McQuinn) is not only the life of the party, she’s now hanging out at The Rowan Window Bar each Thursday from 7–10 pm and Friday from 4–7 pm. She is also spinning your faves by the pool at The Paloma Resort on Saturday, June 10 from 12–4 pm! Join her for a cocktail and listen to some great beats! Her moniker is “Music! Dancing! Fashion! Fun!” and she throws down the most irresistible, uplifting beats each week on the KGAY Sunday Tea Dance from 4–6 pm. Listen online
The KGAY 106.5Retro Lunch airs Monday through Friday at noon, 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 pool party music! Listen Online
This weekend on 103.1 MeTV fm, tune in to A Monterey Pop Weekend, marking the 56th Anniversary of the Monterey International Pop Festival” 103.1 MeTV fm is KGAY’s sister station, featuring a unique mix of timeless and memorable music incorporating a wide variety of classic hits, deep tracks and softer sounds spanning several decades of popular music, including the ‘60s and ‘70s with a touch of the ‘50s and ‘80s. Listen online
Heklina’s Birthday Memorial & Roast
Father’s Day
