Palm Springs Pride 2020
By Ron deHarte
EXIST. RESIST. PERSIST.
Pride Week will look and feel very different in Palm Springs but we have many opportunities to celebrate and be engaged. Our schedule of events will help you navigate what’s going on and connect in celebration. We come together under the theme “Exist. Resist. Persist.” to demonstrate our resilience, embrace our diversity and honor the past.
Sadly, there will be no Pride Parade with thousands of spectators or flying unicorns along Palm Canyon this year. State guidelines don’t allow for large events where groups of people will gather so this also means we will not be able to host our traditional Festival with entertainment and the vendor marketplace.
For months the Palm Springs Pride organization has been assessing opportunities to deliver residents and our business partners a reimagined, safe, socially distanced Pride Week celebration. We are focused on delivering a Safer Together, Greater Together message that everyone is welcome and respected for who they are in Palm Springs. We believe that all people deserve a diverse, inclusive, accepting, and welcoming safe space to celebrate Pride and our community. In lifting each other up even when it’s hard, even during a pandemic, we build allies, opportunities, and resources to live our best lives and help those around us do the same. This includes helping our business and non-profit partners through these challenging financial times.
Details for Pride Week activities can be found at pspride.org. Some of the programs included in this year’s Pride celebration include:
Starting In October
Prime Time Pride – Producer and Host of PromoHomo.TV Nicholas Snow will present the online series “Prime Time Pride” every Tuesday in October at 7:00 PM PDT (Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27) and nightly Nov 2, 4, 5, and 6. All programs are free to watch and will be live-streamed on Facebook.
October 13 – Everything you need to know about Pride 2020
- This show will include guests from Front Runners and photographer Ron Williams, author “Desert Diversity” a photography showcase of our Pride Parade since 2008
October 20 – An Arts and Culture show will feature power of lesbian visibility and Lesbo Expo and their movie “Exist, Persist, Resist, and Thrive.”
October 27 – This show will focus on Youth on Pride, where they see themselves in the LGBTQ+ movement
November 2 – Guests will share details of Light Up The Night and other programs of Pride week.
November 3 – Rally Against Racism get out the vote and election coverage
November 4 – An Interfaith Pride Panel will explore spiritual approaches and responses to what’s going on in the world
November 5 – Pride and Politics
November 3
Rally Against Racism
Join this virtual rally against Racism! Your vote is needed to elect politicians who will tear down institutionalized racism and build institutions that promote life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Make sure you are registered to vote at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/
Voter Registration deadline Oct 19
Ballots sent out first week of Oct
Return ballot ASAP or well before Nov 3
Track your ballot at – voterstatus.sos.ca.gov
Location: A polling location near you
7:00 am – 8:00 pm
November 6
Flag Raising presented by Gilead on Nov 6 – We’ll open up Pride with our traditional Flag Raising and even though we won’t be able to gather in person, we’ll be able to watch a live stream of our elected officials, and civic leaders speak about what Pride means to the City of Palm Springs. Virtually cheer on and witness the unfurling the giant rainbow from the top of iconic buildings across the city. Rainbow flags, symbolic of both the unity and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community will fly throughout the city and remind the world that everyone is supported, embraced, and welcome in Palm Springs.
Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shabbat a livestream event – Nov 6 at 6:30 pm
Pride Parade Encore Presentation – Nov 6 at 7:00 pm.
The Palm Springs Pride Parade is traditionally held on Sunday of Pride weekend and since this year’s parade has been rescheduled for 2021, we will celebrate with a virtual encore screening of the 2017 parade. This livestream will be simulcast on the PromoHomo.TV YouTube channel, the Nicholas Snow Facebook Page, and the Palm Springs Pride Facebook Page.
November 6 & 7
Light Up the Night presented by Gay Desert Guide on Nov 6 and Nov 7 – Everyone is invited to host their own virtual lighting ceremony alongside thousands of other advocates for equality, equity, and diversity across Greater Palm Springs. Light Up the Night will also honor those impacted by COVID-19, to remember loved ones lost, and to create a glowing show of community support and hope for a future free of the darkness coronavirus brings to our lives.
Pride Drive-in Movie Night presented by Nissan on Nov 6 and Nov 7. Socially Responsible + Nostalgic Fun: The Palm Springs Cultural Center Drive-In Experience invites to step back in time under the starlit Palm Springs night and re-live the magic of yesteryear with a modern pop-up cinematic twist!
Join us and celebrate Greater Palm Springs Pride 2020 at the PS Cultural Center Drive-In. The film is brought to you by our presenting sponsor NISSAN and is a partnership between Greater Palm Springs Pride and the Palm Springs Cultural Center.
November 6
5:30 – 9:30 PM
Greater Palm Springs Pride Drive-In Special Event: “Cured”
Five years in the making, CURED illuminates a pivotal yet largely unknown chapter in the struggle for LGBTQ equality: the campaign that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses. Before this momentous 1973 decision, the medical establishment viewed every gay and lesbian person as diseased and in need of a cure. Business and government used the mental-illness classification to justify discrimination and bigotry. As long as lesbians and gay men were “sick,” progress toward equality was nearly impossible.
November 7
Palm Springs Pride DOUB”L”E FEATURE “Ahead Of The Curve” and “Exist, Persist, Resist, and Thrive.”
About this Event
The Double Feature is brought to you by our presenting sponsor NISSAN in partnership with Lesbo Expo, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and Greater Palm Springs Pride.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE/ EXIST, PERSIST, RESIST, AND THRIVE
AHEAD OF THE CURVE is the story of one of the most influential women in lesbian history you’ve never heard of and the impact her work continues to have today. Growing up, Franco never saw any representation of queer women–she didn’t even know it was possible for a woman to be gay. When she realized she was a lesbian, it changed the course of her life.
EXIST, PERSIST, RESIST, AND THRIVE 2020
Exist, Persist, Resist, and Thrive is a community film focusing on queer women/lesbians. Produced by Lesbo Expo Presents, Directed by Shann Carr and Marnie Navarro the film strives to present visibility, creativity, and community for the Pride community and beyond. Featuring entertainers you love, commentary, funny stuff, and all the creativity the women’s community has to offer.
Camelot Theatres
2300 E Baristo Rd
November 6-8
Front Runners Pride 5K run and walk (individual participation, no group activities)
Although we cannot meet in person, we are not letting 2020 go by without our annual Pride Run & Walk and the opportunity to raise needed funds for our amazing beneficiary – the LGBT Community Center of the Desert.
With our virtual run, you choose your own 5K route and run or walk anytime on Pride Weekend: Nov 6th – 8th. And best of all – anyone around the globe can participate. That’s right – our Palm Springs Front Runners & Walkers friends and family around the globe can join the fun!
Register now, and also join the Facebook event and follow us on Instagram. Join the virtual celebration!
For details, visit our event website: https://www.palmspringspriderun.com
November 7
Pride Parade Encore Presentation – Nov 7 at 7:00 pm.
The Palm Springs Pride Parade is traditionally held on Sunday of Pride weekend and since this year’s parade has been rescheduled for 2021, we will celebrate with a virtual encore screening of the 2018 parade. This livestream will be simulcast on the PromoHomo.TV YouTube channel, the Nicholas Snow Facebook Page, and the Palm Springs Pride Facebook Page.
November 8
Pride Tea Dance presented by KGAY 106.5 – Sunday, Nov 8 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Enjoy your own private Tea Dance at home with DJ Galaxy and dance away to his unique set of today’s hits, throwback jams, and custom DJ Galaxy remixes.
Online via Twitch @ TWITCH.TV/KGAY1065
Pride month is usually a time to connect with friends, old and new, as we celebrate the progress we’ve made and recharge for the work ahead.
We know it’s difficult to think about celebrating as we are facing a global pandemic and fighting for racial justice. However, it’s so important for us to stay connected as a community and take care of our mind and spirit at the same time.
Join us on our virtual dance floor as we host our Virtual Pride Tea Dance!
November 8
Pride Parade Encore Presentation – Nov 8 at 11:00 am.
The Palm Springs Pride Parade is traditionally held on Sunday of Pride weekend and since this year’s parade has been rescheduled for 2021, we will celebrate with a virtual encore screening of the 2019 parade. This brunchtime livestream will be simulcast on the PromoHomo.TV YouTube channel, the Nicholas Snow Facebook Page, and the Palm Springs Pride Facebook Page.
November 7 & 8
A land art installation in front of city hall – Community members are invited to participate in this socially distanced art + culture experience Nov 7 and 8. Those that support equality and social justice for all are invited to make placards, signs of hope, message posters, or statements of protest that will be used in this art installation. Since there are no in-person events or large gatherings, this art project will call attention to and raise awareness of issues important to our community. Working with the Palm Springs Art Commission, the themed signs made by community members will be creatively displayed on the city hall lawn creating a community message of Pride and solidarity in Palm Springs.
Look for more details online at pspride.org
Highlight Activities
Desert Diversity
Pride will be celebrated through photography. Palm Springs photographer, Ron Williams is publishing, a 200-page photo-book of Palm Springs Pride parades going back to 2008. “Desert Diversity” is an official publication of Palm Springs Pride. Order on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H6M4S4N
Virtual Food Court @ pspride.org – to support restaurants and promote take out and patio dining
Palm Springs Pride Window Design and Display Contest
Taking place November 2 through November 9. Businesses, including restaurants, hotels, retail and service businesses, are encouraged to create unique Pride related displays visible from the street.
Judging will take place via an online community poll November 2 through November 9, allowing for community members to view displays at their leisure without any crowds, and maintaining social distancing. Businesses are encouraged to post images of their displays on social media, allowing those who are sheltering in to participate in the judging and voting.
All participating as well as non-participating Palm Springs businesses are asked to make a donation to the prize package. Winners will be announced in three categories: restaurants, retail and other. The winner in each category will receive the donated prizes. In addition, Main Street will award each winner $250 in cash to be donated to the Greater Palm Springs Pride Organization.
Additional donations by the public and businesses to Greater Palm Springs Pride to support their awareness, education, and outreach efforts are encourage.
“We are working with local business owners to come up with safe and socially-distant programs where they can promote their businesses and offer something to the local community,” said Joy Brown Meredith, Main Street Board Chair and owner of Crystal Fantasy, a popular Palm Canyon retail store.
Pride Party Packs is a promotion to fund Palm Springs Pride’s year round civic engagement, events and programs. The Pride theme party packs will offer a variety of cocktails kits and a la carte food options for curb side pickup and will encourage same household Pride celebrations on Pride Weekend. The To Go kits are presented by Bud Light Seltzer, Effen Vodka, Hornitos, Jim Beam, Cruzan Light, and SQRRL.
Pride Party Packs TO GO are available online at pspride.org and picked up at Trio on November 4, 5 & 6. Community Party Pack partners include Trio and Channel Q.
