West Hollywood voters will soon be heading to the polls to elect 3 of its 5 city council members. A whopping 14 candidates are running for the open seats, and the elected 3 will go on to address issues like housing development, Flock camera contracts, and managing the city’s high cost of living. With so many candidates, keeping track of everyone’s views on policy is no easy task. So, the Los Angeles Blade sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for city council that addressed the most important issues of this election cycle. 

Out of the 14 candidates, 12 responded to our questionnaire in time for publication. Tom Demille and Tatyana “Tanya” Tsikanovsky did not respond in time for publication. 

Candidate profiles are listed in the order the candidates will appear on the ballot. 

Candidate Profiles:

Helen Krieger

Has lived in West Hollywood for 10 years.

Occupation: Screenwriter and housing advocate

Endorsements: LA County Democratic Party, Equality CA, Stonewall Democratic Club, Firefighters Local 1014, LA Federation of Labor, Streets for All, California Working Families Party, Lindsey P. Horvath, Abbe Land, John Erickson and more

Other candidates Helen will vote for: Chelsea Byers

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety? No. 

“We need to end the contract and physically take down the cameras. They’re a huge invasion of privacy.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes.

“I support widening the sidewalks to make them ADA accessible, and I support building a bike lane as part of that project to finally connect the Eastside to our micromobility infrastructure.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Maybe.

“I’m supportive of creating our own plan as long as it practically allows for at least as much housing as SB-79, and I would want SB-79 to remain in place until that TODAP is agreed upon, voted on, and approved by SCAG.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? No.

“Allied Universal is an ongoing vendor for ICE, and WeHo has a policy of not working with ICE vendors. But I like the ambassador program in general.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? No.

“In most commercial leases the tenant has to pay the taxes, so this would just make rent more unaffordable for small businesses. I do understand where the desire for a vacancy tax comes from – we want all our storefronts to be busy and activated – but this is the wrong answer.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Yes.

“I’m in favor of converting some existing static billboards on Sunset to digital billboards in a thoughtful way. And I would support adding more digital billboards, while being careful of oversaturation. These pay for many city services, and they also can pay for pedestrian improvements that we need on Sunset.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“I’m running because I love West Hollywood – I love how walkable it is, I love our parks, I love how gay it is. But the cost of living has continued to go up, and now, with average asking rents over $4000 for a one-bedroom and $6000 for a two-bedroom, we’re in danger of losing what makes us special. I’m running to create more housing, including affordable housing, safer streets, and thriving local businesses.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“Housing is my biggest priority. West Hollywood (like much of the country) hasn’t been building enough housing, so demand has built up. In the 40 years since we became a city, we’ve built 70 percent fewer homes than the 40 years before we were a city, even as the population of the US has gone up 50 percent. We need to once again be the city that’s not afraid to build housing while also protecting existing tenants and strengthening tenants’ rights. Safe streets — WeHo has inherited a lot of bad street designs from the 60s when we were unincorporated LA County. I want to focus on designing complete streets with multimodal transportation options and ADA accessible sidewalks. Thriving local businesses — our businesses are part of what makes us so unique, so I want to unleash our creative entrepreneurship by streamlining the permitting process. One easy way we can do this – make it easier to film in WeHo. We’re currently the hardest city in all of LA County for film and TV production, which means we’re missing out on the tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of union jobs.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“I believe the main reason for the high cost of living in West Hollywood is housing. This is most people’s biggest cost, and about 20 percent of renters pay half their income just on rent alone. By building more housing, we can ease this burden on people’s wallets. We need to build more housing of all types – market-rate housing with affordable or rent-stabilized set-asides, 100 percent affordable housing, and also “missing middle” housing for people who make too much to qualify for affordable housing, but not enough to afford market rates.”

Kody Christiansen

Has lived in West Hollywood for 21 years.

Occupation: Sales associate at an LGBTQIA+ owned small business, author, and actor

Endorsements: The Bayou, Greenwich Pizzeria, Karina’s Cleaners, Mail Service Center, Joshua Baum, and Cosmo: the Queen of Melrose

Other candidates Kody will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety?  Maybe. 

“I would consider a pause until we have clear reports on how our own sheriff’s deputies have used the system, and would consider renewal only with strict, ongoing oversight, verifiable privacy protections, and immediate reporting of outside access requests. If safeguards fail, the agreement is violated even once, or our data is used to support federal immigration enforcement, I would support ending the contract immediately.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes, sidewalks.

“I support wider, ADA-compliant sidewalks and immediate safety improvements on Fountain, including better lighting, safer crossings, and traffic calming, but I oppose the current bike lane plan that removes parking and traffic lanes. Accessibility should come first, and we need to think bigger than ‘this plan or nothing,’ including bike lanes on corridors like Santa Monica Boulevard that connect people to the places they want to go.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“Yes, I strongly support a TODAP that allows us to plan for housing while protecting existing renters and historic neighborhoods and directing growth toward appropriate commercial corridors. I call my approach SIMBY BWAP: ‘Sure In My Backyard, But With A Plan.’”

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? Maybe.

“Before supporting renewal, I would review other providers and compare their training, capabilities, cost, and results. Residents deserve a program equipped to provide meaningful assistance beyond simply making calls, with clear responsibilities and effective coordination with our sheriff’s deputies.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? Maybe.

“My first approach would be incentives and direct relationships with building owners to connect vacant spaces with businesses, temporary uses, and community activity. But I would not rule out a carefully targeted vacancy tax for larger property owners who leave storefronts empty for years while our neighborhoods bear the consequences.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? No.

“The Sunset Strip has a character worth protecting, and adding more digital billboards is not the direction I want for our city.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“West Hollywood gave me the freedom to find myself when I moved here in 2005. I’m running because I want that same promise of belonging to remain possible for others. My journey has taken me from experiencing homelessness on the Sunset Strip to earning degrees from NYU, Harvard, and Cambridge, and now studying public administration at USC (which I consider job training for the seat I intend to take on our next council). As an East Side renter, small business employee, and someone who has both needed help and helped others, I bring lived experience and policy training to decisions that affect real lives. I want residents to feel heard at City Hall, and I’ll back that up with weekly office hours, independent judgment, and a commitment to serving the full four years.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“My priorities are housing people can afford, practical solutions to homelessness, safe and accessible streets, thriving small businesses, and a City Hall that listens. Having experienced homelessness and later worked at the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter as a student volunteer, I am uniquely qualified to help connect people with housing and the mental health care, recovery support, identification, and ongoing services they need. My proposals include a locally designed housing plan, a legacy business program, a West Hollywood animal shelter, and a community ideas fund that gives neighborhoods a direct say in public spending. I also support responsible sheriff staffing, accessible sidewalks, and accountability for every public dollar, because compassion and a safe, well-run city belong together.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“I live in a rent-stabilized apartment and work in a small business, so affordability is personal to me. [If elected,] I would defend rent-stabilized housing and tenant protections while supporting more affordable housing along appropriate commercial corridors through a thoughtful, locally designed plan. Through my proposed legacy business program and efforts to bring vacant storefronts back to life, I would help strengthen neighborhood businesses that provide jobs and everyday services. We need to support workers and small businesses together, with decisions grounded in current information and an honest understanding of what it costs to live and work here.”

Jonathan Cottrell

Has lived in West Hollywood for 7 years.

Occupation: Owner of GYM Bar WeHo, software engineer at ESPN 

Endorsements: Los Angeles County Democratic Party, John Heilman, Danny Hang, Ben Allen, Rick Chavez Zbur, Nikki Perez, Freddy Puza, Jeff Prang, Teamsters Joint Council 42, Laborers Local 300, and more

Other candidates Jonathan will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety?  No. 

“No.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes.

“Phase 1 is already approved. My commitment for Phase 2 is to follow the Plummer Park revisioning model where we brought meaningful community input to the table and made sure the process is transparent, with a competitive bid process, and brings the best minds towards solving the issues our community is facing.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“The housing is coming either way under state law, and I’d rather West Hollywood target building where the infrastructure can already support it on day one. As an engineer by trade, I believe smart planning is how we get to more housing that meets the need faster. This is not about slowing it down, but coordinating and planning the rollout.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? Yes.

“I would support renewing it. However, I would like to see more training and more coordination among the different safety and human services agencies that we have. We need to make sure the community is not confused about who to call, and that service and response times are unaffected. We must increase our investment in our sheriff’s station as well.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? No.

“Vacant storefronts are a common issue I’m hearing from community members. However, I caution us to make sure we understand the root causes before enacting any sort of penalty. For example: we are seeing commercial property rates fall in many areas, and certain property owners giving 2 years free to tenants. I believe a vacancy tax would not solve the issue we are facing with commercial storefronts. We need to tackle the actual problems that are making it tough to do business in West Hollywood. ”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Maybe.

“When contemplating any expansion to our digital billboards program, we must absolutely do the homework of getting community input and impact studies, particularly for those impacted directly by the billboards. Without specific details of plans and impact studies, I do not feel it would be responsible to comment.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“When I first came to West Hollywood, I was 24 years old, and I instantly felt that I was home. I found love here, built a life here, and now my husband Erik and I are raising our newborn son, Matheo, in the city we love (although he unfortunately can’t vote for his dad yet). I own and operate GYM Bar, a sports bar and community gathering spot where people walk in alone and find their community, which is exactly what this city did for me. With two pioneers retiring from the City Council, our city is at a major inflection point, and I’m running to preserve what we love about West Hollywood, work on the problems we have, and position our city for the future. I’m a software engineer by trade, so I love big ideas, and I take big swings at finding solutions, and I believe we should be bold about where we’re going while being thoughtful and strategic about how we get there.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“Community safety: we should measure safety by whether residents actually feel it, which means trained personnel where they’re needed most, permanent night shifts, making the entertainment policing team permanent, and real coordination between deputies, security ambassadors, businesses, and residents. Housing and affordability: strengthen rent stabilization and tenant protections, expand quality affordable housing where the infrastructure can support it, and distinguish neighborhood property owners from the corporations and outside speculators pushing longtime residents out. Economic opportunity: City Hall should treat entrepreneurs and local businesses as partners, not case numbers, with streamlined permits, a one-stop business concierge, and amazing public service. Public office is a public trust: present a budget residents can understand, and measure the results of public programs, not simply how much money was spent.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“We have to address the cost of living from multiple directions: rent, groceries, transportation, and basic services. I support stronger rent stabilization via lowering rent increase caps, protections for seniors and disabled tenants, building public and community-owned housing, and using every available tool to create more permanently affordable homes. We should also support small businesses and local workers, reduce transportation costs by investing in walking, biking, and transit, and use the City’s purchasing power and policy tools to help make everyday necessities more affordable, like a publicly subsidized grocery store. The goal should be an affordable West Hollywood where people who work here can actually afford to live here.”

Stephen Post

Has lived in West Hollywood for 5 years.

Occupation: Nonprofit leader and business improvement district manager

Endorsements: Stonewall Democratic Club, Democratic Socialists of America-Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Young Democrats, Sunrise Movement LA, Streets for All, Bubba Fish, Kenneth Mejia, Eunisses Hernandez, UNITE HERE! Local 11, Los Angeles County Public Defenders Union Local 148, and more

Other candidates Stephen will vote for: Chelsea Byers, Helen Krieger

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety?  No. 

“I would end the Flock contract as soon as legally and practically possible and would not allow the current pilot to be renewed for any surveillance technology including the drone and real time watch cameras. Public safety should be proactive and care-first, not built around a digital, reactive surveillance system that can disproportionately impact immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and other vulnerable communities.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes.

“I support completing the Fountain Avenue safety improvements, including protected space for cyclists and wider, ADA-accessible sidewalks, while making sure the project is designed around the needs of residents and the surrounding community. Streets For All specifically endorsed my campaign in part because of my support for safe, multimodal improvements on Fountain and my experience managing community engagement similar public street safety projects.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? No.

“I do not support creating a TODAP that would allow transit-oriented development to become a backdoor for slowing housing production, weakening West Hollywood’s tenant protections, or subverting local planning priorities already laid out through our Zoning Improvement Program (ZIP). We should build more housing, especially affordable and public housing, while using state housing tools strategically and preserving strong renters’ rights.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? No.

“Similar to Flock, I would want to end the contract sooner rather than renew it, particularly given Allied Universal’s ownership of G4S and ongoing contracts with ICE and DHS for services including the electronic monitoring of people in immigration enforcement proceedings. I support the security ambassador program under a different vendor, but West Hollywood should not be financially supporting a security company that profits from immigration enforcement and surveillance.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? Yes.

“As a business improvement district manager, I know long-term vacant storefronts hurt our commercial corridors and can make neighborhoods feel less safe and less vibrant. I support exploring a vacancy tax or similar policy that creates an incentive for property owners to put empty commercial spaces back into productive use, rather than use them as tax write-offs.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Yes.

“There is already a vibrant streetscape that the billboards have created. These projects would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and I would approve projects where there is a clear public benefit to West Hollywood. Any proposal should preserve the character and safety of Sunset Boulevard and deliver meaningful funding resources.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“I’m a renter, nonprofit advocate, and business improvement district manager who has spent my career bringing people together to advance justice and strengthen communities. As Vice Chair of the Public Safety Commission, and through my prior work helping craft the WeHo 2040 Strategic Plan, I have dedicated myself to listening to local residents to guide the next fifteen years of our city’s future. I’m running because I believe West Hollywood should continue setting the standard for what bold, progressive local government can accomplish. WeHo can’t wait for stronger renter protections, more affordable housing, safer and cleaner streets, and a City Hall that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to residents. Our city was built by LGBTQ+ and tenants’ rights advocates who fought to be heard, refused to remain invisible, and I’m ready to build on that legacy and fight for a West Hollywood where everyone can thrive.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“My top priorities center on keeping West Hollywood affordable, establishing a care-first and proactive approach to public safety, and fostering a transparent, accountable local government. I would work toward capping rent increases so renters are closer to spending 30% of their income on housing by 2030, advocate for stronger tenant protections, and to help residents thrive without being overburdened by everyday costs of living. To ensure safety, we must fully fund human services, expand emergency mental health response systems, and focus on homelessness and violence prevention rather than depending on reactive Flock and drone surveillance. Lastly, I will bring deep community engagement and participatory budgeting to City Hall, empowering neighbors to directly influence how municipal resources serve our community. It is time we bring the next generation of leadership to WeHo.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“West Hollywood cannot remain a place where people who work here are unable to afford living here. I would strengthen tenant protections and expand affordable and community-owned housing to prevent displacement. We also need to address the other costs that make it harder to live here by supporting local workers and small businesses, expanding transit and safer alternatives to driving, and investing in human services that address the root causes of safety and housing instability. I would also pursue new affordable housing funding and partnerships with nonprofit housing providers while making sure new development prioritizes affordability rather than simply increasing property values. Ultimately, making WeHo more affordable means building a city where renters, working people, seniors, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ residents can afford not just to visit or work here, but to stay.”

Joel Zaldivar

Has lived in West Hollywood for 11 years.

Occupation: Owner of OPVS

Endorsements: Rogerio Carvalheiro (West Hollywood Planning Commissioner)

Other candidates Joel will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety? No. 

“I do not support renewing the contract due to safety and privacy concerns from the community.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? No.

“I do not support the Fountain Ave project as currently proposed.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“I am 100% in favor of the city taking charge and creating its own TODAP.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? No.

“I do not support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal due to their inconsistent security measures. I would seek a new provider that meets the demands of our city.  To be clear, I would only not renew them upon having secured another provider, as we are currently not permitted to increase our Sheriff’s in West Hollywood due to an LA County hiring freeze.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? Yes.

“I support a vacancy tax on storefront properties only if it’s tied through the business licensing division.  Otherwise, the tax will be passed on from the building owner to the tenant, bypassing its original intent to place added pressure on Landlords to lease their properties below their asking.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Maybe.

“I would only support this measure if a majority of residents within a specificized distance of its placement, agreed to the measure.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“In addition to being a resident, I’m also a father and small business owner here in the city. I am heavily invested in our community and in its long-term success.  We need a Council Member who is above bickering and grandstanding and ready to take matters into their hands and get things done, one policy initiative at a time.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“I support overhauling the business task force to help small business owners negotiate as well and renew existing leases that don’t financially imperialize their business model and force them to raise prices on WeHo residents. We should revamp our parking department to work for residents instead of finding ways to penalize and tax them. Finally, City Hall, should triple down on safety for our residents, our communities and our city guests. We cannot grow as a city unless people feel safe to put down their roots here.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“By tasking our newly overhauled business department to “act as a developer” and intentionally seek out business opportunities that we, as a city, can leverage and entice developers to build affordable housing for our city.  We need to be a proactive player in how, when, and where housing is built.” 

Kevin Ligon

Has lived in West Hollywood for 16 years.

Occupation: Retired civil servant at the Veterans Health Administration

Endorsements: N/A

Other candidates Kevin will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety?  No. 

“Currently, I’m not in support of renewing the flock safety contract in its current state. There are too many issues with the system. I believe that West Hollywood citizens and their privacy take priority.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes, sidewalks.

“Fountain Avenue needs wider sidewalks for safety reasons. I believe there are also alternatives to the approved plan that would be safer for all concerned. A review of systems from other cities where safety and traffic have found better solutions is in order.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“Yes, I would support a TODAP for West Hollywood.”

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? Maybe.

“The Allied universal contract has only been in place since August 25, 2025. I find that they have been much more attentive to our homeless population and our citizens than the previous contract. I’m not aware of current issues with that contract or their current service.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? Maybe.

“I’m not sure that a vacancy tax is going to actually address the problem itself. Storefronts are staying closed much longer because the owners have the financial resources to wait out any drop in rental value. Another possibility might be to remove options where landlords can take tax write-offs for unoccupied properties based on current rental value. We definitely need to have a carrot-and-stick approach to getting new, and particularly small, businesses into our storefronts.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Maybe.

“I live just off Sunset Boulevard, and I was definitely affected when the Pendry Hotel, now the Sun Rose, installed its passive video wall facing east on Sunset. I’m not against digital billboards per se, but I do believe that residents come first.”

Long Form Responses:

Why are you running for City Council?

“I’m running for city Council due to my experiences with a new owner of my particular apartment building not following guidelines set by the city. This caused us to form a tenant association during Covid. Since then, I realize there’s a need for rent stabilization, rent control, consistency, and maintaining protected status for vulnerable renters in West Hollywood.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“My priorities are focused on community through renter and landlord communication, be it residential or commercial, supporting small businesses in our community, and ensuring that our town remains one of the finest examples of a walkable culture in California.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

[The candidate did not respond to this question].

John Duran

Has lived in West Hollywood for 36 years.

Occupation: Civil rights attorney 

Endorsements: Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, LA County Firefighters, the West Hollywood Municipal Employees Union, Ben Allen, John Heilman, Lauren Meister, and Steve Martin 

Other candidates John will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety? Yes. 

“I would support renewing the city’s contract with Flock provided that privacy and usage safeguards were in place.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Maybe.

“I do not support the removal of traffic lanes on Fountain Avenue. I do support bike lanes where they make sense in other parts of the city. I do support sidewalk extensions where they are warranted.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“I do support a TODAP for West Hollywood.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? No.

“I have serious reservations about renewing the security ambassador program. I would more likely support adding additional deputy sheriffs on foot patrol and in the entertainment districts.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? No.

“I do not support a vacancy tax on empty storefronts. They do not work as intended when the tax is passed onto commercial tenants in triple net leases.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Maybe.

“I approved the initial Sunset Strip billboard program but do find the current proposals to be excessive.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“I am running for City Council because there needs to be one seasoned voice in the room. I served on the council for 20 years and bring years of experience that will be helpful to the deliberations.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“My policy priorities are keeping local control on land use decisions to prevent over-development, public safety and economic development on commercial corridors.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“West Hollywood is a very desirable place to be. There are legal limits on what we can do to address the high cost of living within a capitalistic system. We can continue to strengthen our rent stabilization ordinance for tenants in existing rent controlled apartments and approve new developments with inclusionary housing units reserved for low and middle class income households.” 

Larry Block

Has lived in West Hollywood for 40 years.

Occupation: Owner of BlockParty WeHo, publisher of WEHOonline

Endorsements: Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Greater Los Angeles Realtor Association

Other candidates Larry will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety?  No. 

“I’ve changed my mind on this topic after a loud backlash. Instead we should opt into an Axon or Motorola system that we buy and control the data. I was Pro-Flock, but if a council member is going to listen to the voices of the people, then clearly they have spoken. We can do better. We can never be a beacon of hope for a transgender kid seeking medical treatment from a red state if their information has any chance of being shared. We can own our own data.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes, sidewalks.

“I support safe sidewalks on Fountain. I do not support the false sense of safety of 120 driveways intersecting a bike lane. We can have connectivity if we get on the same page with

our neighboring cities and not have a patchwork of bike lanes that do not connect – be it Fountain, Santa Monica Blvd, or Beverly.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“100% support a TODAP and cannot be done soon enough. There is so much at stake.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? Yes.

“At this point it’s hard to recruit new Sheriffs and Allied has been an improvement over the previous Block by Block ambassadors.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? No.

“Commercial leases are 5, 10, 20 years in duration. Most leases are triple-net, meaning the tenant pays the expenses. A vacancy tax penalizes the other tenants. Residential leases are gross leases, tenant pays and the landlord picks up the expenses. So my question is would any resident want to pay extra because the space next to them was empty? People who want a vacancy tax do not understand a commercial lease.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Yes.

“Of course there will be some new billboards, but on a case by case basis. We need to maximize the benefits of our Sunset arts and billboard program without cannibalizing our precious assets. Sunset needs to remain vibrant and exciting without becoming chaotic and unsafe.”

Long Form Responses

Why are you running for City Council?

“I’m running for the city council because it’s becoming harder and harder to enjoy the dream of West Hollywood. The community is changing, and I’d like a seat at the table to help us craft policy that keeps the dream alive and restore West Hollywood as a beacon of hope. I’m the oldest guy in the race with a lifetime of experience to share, and I enjoy fixing things, building things and solving people’s problems.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“Public Safety is my top priority. Residents need to be able to feel safe to walk their dogs at night. Entrepreneurs need to be able to imagine a new business without a homeless person in front of the for-lease sign. We can’t build a community with the rash of public safety issues we have been facing. Protecting seniors and those with disabilities is another top priority. We have to keep the promise of WeHo.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“West Hollywood has the highest rents, the highest cost of labor, and the highest sales tax. The cost of labor and the highest sales tax, which will be 11%, were voted on by the city council. As a councilmember, we can’t lower the rents or the price of gas, but we can run a smart city and offer residents a free parking pass at city garages and other benefits to residency in West Hollywood.”

Kyle Brazeal

Has lived in West Hollywood for 11 years.

Occupation: Finance 

Endorsements: West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Democratic Club, Equality California, HONOR PAC, Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Greater Los Angeles Realtors Association, Democrats for the Protection of Animals, John Heilman, Lauren Meister, and Rick Chavez Zbur 

Other candidates Kyle will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety? Maybe. 

“A contract with significant public safety and privacy implications requires meaningful public input and trust. Before moving forward, public town halls with residents, sheriff’s representatives, city staff, and privacy advocates should examine safeguards against misuse and inappropriate data access, storage, and sharing so our approach protects both community safety and privacy.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes, sidewalks.

“The priority on Fountain Avenue should be extending sidewalks to become ADA-compliant and safe for pedestrians. Rather than eliminating hundreds of parking spaces to place a bike lane on a road carrying 35,000 cars a day, I would prioritize an east-west bike path on a calmer, safer street, like Willoughby, to enhance cyclist safety while preserving mobility and parking for our residents.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“A TODAP protects residents’ ability to shape development, guided by the careful, neighborhood-specific analysis led by our city staff. By law, a TODAP produces the same housing capacity, but it allows our community to shape it in a thoughtful way that strengthens protections for our rent-stabilized housing and considers our unique emergency access needs, commercial activity, transit options, and infrastructure capacity.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? No.

“I would not support renewing the contract in its current form because the program has not demonstrated improvements in public safety and homelessness that justify spending more than $5 million annually. I support a tiered public safety structure that includes unarmed responders, but their value must be measured through meaningful results beyond the volume of calls and contacts.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? Yes.

“I support a limited commercial vacancy tax that discourages landlords from holding storefronts empty while protecting small property owners making good-faith efforts to find tenants. Revenue from the tax should help new businesses fund tenant improvements, pairing accountability for prolonged vacancies with practical assistance to help fill empty storefronts and bring those spaces back to life.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Maybe.

“Billboards can generate revenue for city services, but the city allowed an overproliferation of large, animated signs and granted exceptions to standards meant to protect residents. I would oppose new billboards that worsen light intrusion or otherwise erode quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“I believe residents deserve a real voice in shaping the local decisions that impact their daily lives. I saw a Council majority that dismisses resident concerns to prioritize the preferred projects of outside entities with significant political or financial interests in our city. Residents are left living with the consequences while elected officials secure the relationships and donors needed to advance their political careers. While other candidates relied on developers and outside interests to fund their campaigns, I built a campaign funded by and accountable to West Hollywood residents so we can elect City Councilmembers focused on protecting residents from displacement while fighting for the high quality of life they deserve.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“My priorities are housing stability, public safety, and a strong local economy, guided by a City Hall that listens before acting and is accountable for results. We should preserve rent-stabilized homes, protect renters against displacement, and create new housing with dedicated affordability through planning shaped by residents and city staff to protect neighborhood livability. Public safety policies should deliver measurable improvements in neighborhood safety, homelessness, and traffic collision prevention. By streamlining bureaucracy and supporting sensible, balanced policies for local businesses, we can create a safe, inviting city where residents can remain in their homes and enjoy the vibrant business corridors that bring West Hollywood to life.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“City Hall should help make life more affordable by avoiding unnecessary fees and regulations that increase costs for residents and local businesses. I would revisit local sales taxes and evaluate opportunities to reduce that burden through disciplined spending while protecting essential services. Preserving rent-stabilized homes and enforcing protections against harassment and displacement can help residents maintain predictable housing costs as other expenses rise. We must also maintain a dependable safety net, ensuring people struggling to make ends meet can access food assistance, healthcare, housing support, and services that help them remain in our community.” 

Chelsea Byers

Has lived in West Hollywood for 6 years.

Occupation: Incumbent Councilmember, policy director at housing affordability advocacy organization

Endorsements: Los Angeles County Democratic Party, the California Working Families Party, the Sierra Club, Streets for All, Laura Friedman, Lindsey Horvath, Jeff Prang, LA County Federation of Labor,  LA/OC Building and Construction Trades Council, LA County Firefighters Local 1014, and more

Other candidates Chelsea will vote for: Declined to answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety?  No. 

“I have been the leading voice on City Council against Flock since the time it was brought to Council as part of a broader surveillance expansion and continue to advocate against the use of this product in our City.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes.

“I ran in 2022 as a supporter of the Fountain Avenue streetscape project, and I continue to support it today. Fountain should be a neighborhood street where people, particularly children, those with disabilities, and the elderly, feel safe walking, biking, and crossing the street, and we should work quickly to improve the safety, expand the sidewalks, and beautify the street.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? No.

“With the K-Line Northern Extension coming to the City in the years ahead, I support creating more transit-oriented housing, which is made possible under the recently approved state law SB79. We should treat the housing affordability crisis we are facing like the emergency it is and work to build the housing our community needs in the years ahead.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? Maybe.

“I support the security ambassador program and unarmed responders in general. However, upon learning that Allied Universal has ties to DHS and ICE activity, it feels incredibly important that we revisit options and ensure we are investing our public dollars into companies that reflect our values and promote the safety of all residents and visitors.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? No.

“A thriving commercial corridor is an essential backbone of our city, and we should be addressing the barriers that can leave commercial spaces vacant, including the ways in which the City itself can create unnecessary obstacles for businesses trying to open and succeed. This would include clearing roadblocks for new businesses trying to open, cutting the time and costs to open businesses, and better coordinating the countywide agencies like electric and fire, who can often slow down opening. ”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Yes.

“Sunset’s digital billboard program was established to generate much-needed revenue to fund the City’s basic services and deliver the supportive care our community relies on — everything from sidewalk maintenance to our social service programs for renters and adults aging in place — the investments in our City’s future depend on ensuring this program’s success.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“My commitment to the work of improving our City and advancing care in our communities is deeply personal. My family could not afford health care despite the long days my dad worked in construction, and like so many families, we lost our home during the 2008 financial crisis. That experience has shaped the issues I prioritize on West Hollywood’s City Council. Challenges facing working families today require real action. Renters are being squeezed by the cost of housing. Wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. Women, queer people, and immigrants are under constant attack by this administration. West Hollywood is a community that has the opportunity and the means to lead with compassion, courage, and urgency. Our city must continue to be a model for what it looks like to protect vulnerable people, address the climate crisis, and make government work for those who need it most.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“In my time in office, I have been working to implement West Hollywood’s Housing Element and the 116 strategies outlined in that plan to unlock greater affordable housing capacity locally, alongside the ongoing work to bring the Metro K Line Northern Extension into West Hollywood. From there, West Hollywood’s broken network of bicycle lanes needs ongoing support, and we must have a mobility-minded leader moving this infrastructure work forward in the City. As a third priority policy area, West Hollywood’s Climate Action Plan outlines ambitious policy goals, many of which stand to be undermined or challenged by special interests in our City. Building modernization and energy efficiency standards are critical ways the City can mitigate our carbon output, and furthering and reinforcing these policies with programs and financing to support the mandatory changes is going to be a major part of the City’s future work.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“Affordability is the defining issue facing families in my city as well as many families across LA County. West Hollywood is a city of renters, and too many of our residents are rent-burdened, paying more each month just to stay in the community they call home. West Hollywood has a responsibility to build more housing at every income level, protect tenants, and plan for growth in a way that reflects our values. We need to continue to lead on policies that make it easier and more affordable to build the housing our community needs and for businesses to get started and open. We can also continue investing in our social service programs that support people aging in place and expand this programming to support more families through child care resources. Every city has a role to play in tackling the affordability crisis, and West Hollywood can show it is possible to grow while staying true to who we are: a city that protects renters, supports working people, welcomes LGBTQ+ residents and seniors, and believes everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to live.”

Alden “Marlon” Gobel 

Has lived in West Hollywood for 5 years.

Occupation: Fashion designer and creative director

Endorsements: N/A

Other candidates Marlon will vote for: Chelsea Byers

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety?  No. 

“I do not feel that overreaching mass surveillance is ever a good idea. There are other ways to get the police the information they need without using the Flock camera system and Flock owning the aggregate data.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes.

“With gasoline prices reaching $6.50 per gallon here in LA, it is getting nearly unaffordable to fill a car’s tank. That means the way people commute and move through West Hollywood is going to change, and that’s not going to be car-focused, so we need to be prepared for that with robust mobility systems like bike lanes, transit, and great sidewalks.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Maybe.

“I am in favor of the need for West Hollywood to be in control of the development process, and we can look to Beverly Hills as an example of how to successfully implement the SB 79’s requirements. We need affordable housing, but we need a plan for development that addresses the needs of residents and business owners.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? Maybe.

“I think the security ambassadors bring a much-needed level of padding and connection between everyday residents/guests and the police department while relieving pressure on our sheriffs. But information is still pending from Allied on how connected they are with ICE and Homeland Security. That information will determine our future working with them.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? Maybe.

“It is something to explore. It’s important to make it easier for young emerging businesses to move into West Hollywood without landlords waiting for cash-cow corporations to fill up their spaces.”

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Yes.

“These things must be tastefully done and created with consideration of the surroundings. I don’t want Sunset Boulevard to become a Times Square replica chaotic orgy of light pollution.”

Why are you running for City Council?

“West Hollywood thrives on bold vision, authentic expression, and collaborative leadership. I have spent my career turning ambitious ideas into reality by balancing artistic execution with rigorous operational strategy. When I launched my eponymous brand, MARLON GOBEL, it demanded absolute strategic precision—skills that translated into immediate global partnerships with historic institutions like Bergdorf Goodman, Swarovski, and the Fashion Institute of Technology. Over a twelve-year career, my work has been recognized by The New York Times and trusted by legendary creative icons because I deliver on bold ideas, resilience, and unique innovation. West Hollywood deserves leadership that understands how to manage complex operations while preserving our distinct, rebellious, and authentic spirit. I will bring fiscal discipline, project management expertise, and an unwavering dedication to making our community a vibrant, sustainable, and forward-thinking destination for residents and creators alike.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“1. Affordable Housing

2. A Freedom of Living Standard (anti-surveillance, self-expression, non-discrimination)

3. Compassionate Public Safety”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“I feel like my answer was covered in my response [to the first long form question].”

Chukwudubem “Chiedu” Egbuniwe

Has lived in West Hollywood for 22 years.

Occupation: IT professional and consultant

Endorsements: N/A

Other candidates Chiedu will vote for: Declined to Answer

Policy

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Flock Safety? No. 

“After years of working directly with data security and privacy issues as an IT Manager, it is critical that our data is with trustworthy vendors.”

Do you support a bike lane or sidewalk extension on Fountain Avenue? Yes.

“Yes, but I would adjust the timeline to after the Olympics in 2028, re-order the phases of the project, and greatly expand accessibility to e-Bikes in preparation.”

Do you support creating a TODAP (Transit Oriented Development Alternative Plan) for West Hollywood? Yes.

“Yes, most definitely. The TODAP is central to my priorities.” 

Do you support renewing West Hollywood’s contract with Allied Universal to continue running the security ambassador program? Maybe.

“I would renew a short-term contract, revise our needs with a focus on more highly trained security staff, and offer Allied (and other vendors) a chance to provide a bid for more highly trained staff.”

Do you support a vacancy tax on empty storefront properties? Not answered.

[The candidate did not respond to this question.]

Do you support adding more digital billboards to Sunset Boulevard? Not answered.

[The candidate did not respond to this question.]

Why are you running for City Council?

“The city needs people who listen to residents and business owners: someone who can bring people together. As an IT professional and through my work with the city, I bring decades of strategic, big picture thinking and consensus building. I’ve served this city for over two decades, working on the WeHo40big-pictureconsensus-building Action Team, as a panelist on the Arts Grants, the Pride Arts Grants, and as a commissioner on the LGBTQ+ Commission.  It’s time for me to deepen my service to my community.”

What are your policy priorities? 

“Housing accessibility, small business support, and sensible safety. Rezoning for mixed-use development is central to my platform. In accordance with SB79, I propose a TODAP, focusing development along commercial corridors like Santa Monica, with small businesses on the first floors and residences on higher floors. We would see more foot traffic and greater safety around these small businesses, and less dependency on driving for services. I would also expand foot patrols by law enforcement and security ambassadors.”

How will you address the high cost of living in West Hollywood? 

“We need sensible development and strict enforcement of affordable housing percentages for new development. We have to follow state law SB79, but with a TODAP we can restrict development to commercial corridors and preserve the character of our neighborhood streets. With new high-density mixed-use developments on commercial corridors, similar to the Trader Joe’s development near Plummer Park, we have an opportunity to add affordable housing units and foot traffic to support businesses in these spaces.”

LA County will start sending out mail-in ballots on October 5th; early voting will begin on October 20th, and election day is November 3rd. 

Caleb Kaufman is a California Local News Fellow placed with the Los Angeles Blade. The California Local News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting. Learn more about it at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows.

Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed and vetoed a slew of bills into state law. Among them were seven pertaining to California’s LGBTQ community. Newsom signed six while vetoing one. His actions drew applause and scorn from advocacy groups in the state. 

The 6 Signed Bills:

Assembly Bill 1775 allows transgender veterans, who were banned from service last year by the Trump-Vance administration, to access housing assistance, use California’s discharge upgrade assistance program, and get support for gaining employment. 

Assembly Bill 1930 strengthens privacy protections for healthcare patients and providers by creating clear guidelines for California agencies, individuals, and corporations to respond to out-of-state subpoena requests relating to abortion or gender-affirming care. This includes a requirement to contact the California Attorney General at least 7 days prior to responding to the subpoena or providing legal documents. This should add additional protection to those residing in California from investigations in states where abortion or gender-affirming care has more restrictions. 

Senate Bill 934 targets conversion therapy in California and increases the amount of time a patient has to bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against a provider for attempting to change the patient’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill takes aim at the widely debunked practice that treats queerness as a mental disorder that could be cured through psychotherapeutic methods. Conversion therapy has been illegal in California since 2012; however, a recent Supreme Court decision threw the ban into question, prompting lawmakers to write this new bill that legally defines it as medical malpractice. 

Senate Bill 1023 expands access to PrEP, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a medication that protects people from contracting HIV. The bill requires insurers to cover the drug through the medical benefit and the pharmacy benefit pathways, allowing for more providers to give patients PrEP. 

Senate Bill 1114 strengthens privacy protections for voluntary self-identification data about sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill limits when California government agencies can share this data and bars it from being disclosed outside of the state government, with few exceptions. 

Senate Bill 1328 expands support for LGBTQ students and staff in California colleges. The bill requires any institution of higher education to designate an employee at any campus, satellite campus, branch campus, or outreach center to support the needs of LGBTQ individuals. 

Equality California, the largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights group in the country, commended the Governor for his support of legislation that protects and supports the queer community amid escalating threats, attacks, and rollbacks from the federal government. 

Executive Director Tony Hoang said in a written statement, “California is once again demonstrating that when LGBTQ+ people are targeted, our state will respond with action,” adding, “We are grateful to Governor Newsom for signing these measures.”

The Vetoed Bill:

Assembly Bill 2164 would have banned California from extraditing anyone residing in California for providing abortions or gender-affirming care in another state. Governor Newsom vetoed this bill despite agreeing with its principles, claiming in a written statement that “extradition is an exclusively executive function” and that he did not want to limit the “executive authority of an incoming Governor.” 

This bill was created in response to Louisiana’s attempt to extradite a California physician for allegedly sending abortion pills in the mail to a Louisiana woman. Governor Newsom responded forcefully to the extradition request, publicly denying it and stating, “We will not allow extremist politicians from other states to reach into California and try to punish doctors based on allegations that they provided reproductive health care services.” 

In a written statement responding to the veto, Lizzy Hinkley, the legal director of the bill’s lead sponsor, Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, criticized Newsom, stating, “[the] outgoing Governor’s principled stance is cold comfort to Californians living and working in the real world post-Dobbs. A high-brow, academic justification for refusing to codify legal protections only reveals an ignorance for the lived reality of patients and providers – and does nothing to help them.” 

Caleb Kaufman is a California Local News Fellow placed with the Los Angeles Blade. The California Local News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting. Learn more about it at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows.

We could be in for a bumpy ride – weather-wise – this season. It started Thursday with a storm in Yucca Valley and 29 Palms with heavy rain and hail that also sparked a few dry lightning fires in the Coachella Valley. I was in the middle of it in Joshua Tree — loving every minute of the rain, the thunder, and lightning. That tends to be an anomaly for those of us who spend the majority of our time in the desert.

The real concern is the super El Niño winter we’re about to experience. It’s happening as we speak, with two hurricanes off the coast of Mexico that are expected to bring us higher humidity, a chance of rain next week, and coastal flooding. And that’s just the beginning, according to Patrick Evans, chief meteorologist at Newschannel 3.

We count on the typical dry weather of the Coachella Valley as tourists start to flock back for “season”. The way we roll is with outdoor concerts and music festivals, sporting events, mixers, and of course, Palm Springs Pride itself. So when the forecast starts to increase the odds of rainy days, we get a little nervous. We’ll all be watching the forecasts just a little more carefully and making last-minute adjustments to plans, whereas in most years we barely give it a second thought.

Maybe Palm Springs will have snow again like on January 31st, 1979. We recorded 1.5 inches that day, and it shut down the city, according to reports from The Desert Sun, which covered it extensively. A good friend of mine was here for that storm and has the newspaper clippings to prove it.

Whether that weather was an El Niño event, we may never know. But suffice it to say, we’ll be paying a little closer attention to Patrick’s forecasts this winter.

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

Here’s what’s ahead in sunny Palm Springs!

Debby Holiday‘s Tribute to Tina Turner

Simply the Best: A Tribute to Tina Turner & Friends brings Debby Holiday to the Purple Room Supper Club Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26 (Dinner at 6 pm, Show at 8 pm). A 17‑time Billboard Top 20 artist, Debby delivers passion and powerhouse vocals while honoring Tina Turner and other legendary divas. Debby’s three‑decade career includes touring with Rod Stewart, KISS and Joe Walsh, plus appearances on David Letterman, The View and Rosie O’Donnell. More info

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Que Calor Pool Party

The Que Calor Pool Party at Arrive Hotel is an end‑of‑summer celebration on Saturday, September 26 from 4–8 pm. The event transforms the poolside into a lively oasis with music, food, and drinks, creating a fun afternoon of splashing, dancing, and unwinding. Produced by SOS Entertainers, the party also supports the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, adding heart to the festivities. Guests can enjoy general admission or reserve one of eight VIP cabanas. More info

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Perez Art District — 4th Friday Art Walk

The Perez Art District: 4th Friday Art Walk happens Friday, September 25 from 11 am–7 pm. Visitors can explore local galleries, meet artists and enjoy a full day of creativity and community across Buildings H & I. It’s an easygoing, open‑house‑style stroll through one of the valley’s most vibrant artist hubs, offering a chance to discover new work, connect with makers and experience the district’s growing cultural energy. More info

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Cinema Diverse 2026 Weekend 2

Cinema Diverse 2026 Weekend 2 at The Palm Springs Cultural Center runs all weekend through Sunday September 27. A celebration of LGBTQ+ storytelling, identity, history, love, resilience and queer imagination, the festival spans multiple theatres and screening blocks. Across documentary, narrative, comedy, drama and experimental shorts, Cinema Diverse highlights emerging and established filmmakers exploring coming out, chosen family, cultural heritage, activism, romance and the intersections of gender, sexuality and community. More info

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Mama’s Boy

Mama’s Boy starring Gregg Glaviano is Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 pm at Palm Springs Plaza Theatre. This emotional cabaret blends music and storytelling as Glaviano reflects on growing up with a mother living with chronic depression—and how those experiences shaped his journey through first love, marriage, divorce and coming out. Featuring Paul Cady, Richard Elander, Jim Gnaster and Jenny Carey, the show moves between humor, vulnerability and heartfelt musical moments drawn from Broadway, the Rat Pack and classic pop. More info

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It’s Final Round Voting Time — Best of CV

CV Independent’s Best of Coachella Valley 2026–2027 final voting round is now underway, and this is your chance to help crown the winners across the valley’s most‑loved radio stations, personalities, DJs (and many more categories). Thank you for showing us the love already with a strong nomination phase! Our finalists include KGAY 103.1 and Sunny 106.5 for Best Radio Station; John Taylor, E.J. Tyler and Patrick Evans for Best Local Radio Personality; and the dynamic DJ trio — DJ Galaxy, DJ Eric Ornelas, and MODGIRL — for Best Local DJ. Voting continues through Friday, October 23, so cast your vote and help celebrate your favorites in this year’s Best of Coachella Valley! Vote Today

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Greater Palm Springs Spa Month

Greater Palm Springs Spa Month heads into its final days with exclusive wellness experiences throughout all nine resort cities. Slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace self‑care your way—whether through a mineral spring soak, a rejuvenating facial, a deeply relaxing massage, a sound bath under the desert sky, or a full day dedicated entirely to restoration. Participating resort spas, day spas, and hot springs spas offer limited‑time treatments and special packages through the end of September. More info

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Planned Parenthood’s Riverside County Cocktail Reception

Planned Parenthood’s Riverside County Cocktail Reception takes place Friday, September 25 from 5:30–11 pm at Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs. Celebrating 63 years of compassionate, essential care, the evening highlights the movement to protect access to sexual and reproductive health services. Guests will hear inspiring stories about the organization’s impact, including live entertainment and remarks from Jenny Black, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. More info

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The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption at Desert Theatreworks runs September 25–October 4 in the Blackbox Theatre. This gripping stage production follows banker Andy Dufresne, wrongly convicted of murder, as he navigates corruption, brutality and the faint glimmer of hope inside Shawshank State Penitentiary. His bond with Ellis “Red” Redding and his quiet, decades‑long plan for freedom unfold in an intimate setting where audiences feel the weight of the walls around them. This is not the movie—it’s harder, closer and deeply human, launching the 2026–2027 season with a limited eight‑performance run. More info

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Films in the Gardens — At Eternity’s Gate (2018)

At Eternity’s Gate (2018) screens Friday, September 25 at 7:30 pm at Sunnylands Center and Gardens. Presented with the Palm Springs International Film Society, this free outdoor series invites guests to bring a blanket, arrive early and enjoy cinema under the stars. At Eternity’s Gate offers an intimate portrait of Vincent van Gogh’s final, prolific years painting in Arles and Auvers‑sur‑Oise, set against the serene backdrop of the Gardens. More info

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Dance Me — The Music of Leonard Cohen

Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen takes the stage Saturday, September 26 at 8 pm at McCallum Theatre, performed by Ballets Jazz Montréal. Inspired by the work of Montreal‑born poet, artist and songwriter Leonard Cohen — and approved by Cohen during his lifetime — this exclusive creation evokes the cycles of existence explored in his music and poems. More info

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Heart Centered Healing Sound Bath

The Desert Sound Sessions: Heart Centered Healing Sound Bath at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs happens Sunday, September 27 from 9:45–11 am. Led by Ashley Tiedeman, this immersive morning experience begins with tea, mingling and a gentle Quantum Heart Meditation designed to expand inner awareness and ignite the heart’s electromagnetic field. Participants then settle into a soothing sound bath where crystal bowls and healing frequencies support deep relaxation, energetic clearing and alignment. More info

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Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ

Burgers, Boys & Brews — Sunday BBQ returns Sunday, September 27 from 2:30–4:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge. This weekly backyard‑style cookout features fresh‑grilled burgers, hot dogs, sides, bottomless mimosas, bottomless draft beer, great music, and live male entertainment. It’s a lively Sunday afternoon tradition where guests can eat, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. More info

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• Billy L’Amour & The Love Notes • Singer Billy L’Amour joins The Love Notes and guest music director Paul McDonald for an intoxicating musical journey on Friday from 6–9 pm at Spirit Animal at Hotel Zoso.
• A Disco Affair • Resident DJ NRich and guest DJ Papa Trebizo spin an all-vinyl dance party on Friday from 8 pm–12 am at Saguaro Palm Springs. Music lovers can dance to disco, boogie, funk, synth rarities, and left-field club records mixed entirely by hand.
• Kevin Costner & Modern West • Actor and musician Kevin Costner and his band present cinematic storytelling and Americana-driven country-rock on Friday at 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.
• Are You A Humanist? • Presenters explore humanist values through video clips of American Humanist Association CEO Fish Stark on Saturday from 11 am–12:30 pm at the LGBTQ Center. Speakers Jim Barnett and Carsten Smidt share personal journeys and discuss principles that promote human dignity, freedom, and ethical responsibility.
• PS Brew Crew LA SD Brewery Takeovers • Beer enthusiasts gather for a multi-stop brewery crawl on Saturday from 1–5:30 pm at Coachella Valley Brewing Company. Visiting Bear brewery-hopping groups from Los Angeles and San Diego team up with local beer lovers to explore downtown Palm Springs craft breweries.
• A League of Their Own, Film Screening & Drag Spectacular • Celebrate pop icon Madonna with live drag performances on Saturday at 6 pm at Festival Theaters in Palm Springs. The event includes a screening of director Penny Marshall‘s beloved sports comedy A League of Their Own.
• Sloshed: National Lampoon’s Vacation — Live Shadow Cast • Moviegoers join a live shadow cast recreating scenes onscreen on Saturday from 6–10 pm at Spirit Animal at Hotel Zoso. Performers bring National Lampoon’s Vacation into the room with costumes, props, audience interaction, and improvised surprises during this interactive comedy screening.
• Night Swim at Palm Springs Surf Club • Gather for an after-hours pool party on Saturday from 6–10 pm with live DJs, cocktails at the Island Bar, and access to the Island Pool and Lazy River under the lights.
• Unbuttoned, A Boylesque Social Experience • Dancer Michael Silas, known as one of Lady Gaga‘s original dancers, delivers a bold boylesque performance on Saturday from 7–8:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge.
• Dance Ranch Country Dance Saturdays • Dancers of all skill levels gather for country-western dancing on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio. Instructor Rob Ollander-Krane teaches a beginner shadow lesson before open dancing featuring two-step, waltz, swing, and line dances.
• Marni Von Wilpert for Congress Fundraiser • Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Raul Ruiz join the host committee for this political fundraising event to back candidate Marni Von Wilpert on Sunday from 11 am–1 pm at a private location in Palm Springs.
• NSFW – New Season of Work • Art enthusiasts can discover a special exhibition celebrating the opening of the Palm Springs art season through September 30 at Rubine Red Gallery. Featured artists Russ White, T. Young, Merick Reed, Don Fisher, and Terrence Payne showcase exciting new work reflecting the distinctive creative energy of contemporary art.
• A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit • Explore how spirituality, magic, and esoteric knowledge shape LGBTQ+ culture through October 18 at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

As Bisexual Awareness Week comes to a close this Wednesday, the Los Angeles Blade sat down with West Hollywood Councilmember Chelsea Byers to talk about how the city celebrated. Byers, a Councilmember since 2022 and an openly bisexual woman, discussed the importance of the celebratory week, challenges facing the bi community, and how living openly can be a form of resistance. 

“Every year the city recognizes Bisexual Awareness Week as a week of action,” Byers said. The city coordinates special events to mark the occasion, this year featuring a workshop from Rewrite the BiLine, a group that aims to improve bisexual representation in media, and programming from the Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force, a nonprofit that promotes education and meetups for the bisexual community. 

Byers believes that being a bisexual representative has allowed her to “feel a sense of connection” to these organizations and consequently make better programming. “I think that sort of goes to show that when you have more representation in these elected offices, the policies truly do follow,” she said.

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Byers also talked about challenges that impact bisexuals even from within the LGBTQ community. “I can say, in my own personal experience as a bi woman who has been dating a man for more than a decade now, many people make the assumption that I’m a straight woman,” she said, adding, “I feel that and experience that even within the queer community.” 

This can create a feeling of imposter syndrome, or a sense that deep down a bisexual person really just wants to swing one way or the other. “It can get exhausting having to constantly reinforce who you are, even if at times it’s not how you’re passing or understood in community. … and I hear [bisexual] people express that often,” Byers said.

However, there is data to show that acceptance of bisexuality is on the rise. According to polling from the HRC, 31% of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 identify as LGBTQ. People identifying as bisexual make up the largest portion of that increase when compared to other age groups. A 2023 poll from Gallup shows that 15% of Gen Z is bisexual, in comparison to the 5.6% who are gay or lesbian. 

This trend of younger generations being more comfortable to explore and be open about their sexual identities is incredibly inspiring for Byers. “It’s so moving and encouraging to know that people are feeling a greater sense of safety, … that there are more people who will accept them, that there is more awareness and even more pushback to the hate that LGBTQ queer people have been experiencing,” she said. 

“Embracing your identity can be a form of resistance,” Byers said, continuing, “People can find a lot of joy in that feeling of self-expression. And I think there’s a sense of empowerment that comes from just saying, ‘you know, this is something I can do. I can take care of who I am.’”

Advocates, public health experts, and healthcare providers gathered for the United States Conference on HIV/AIDS on Sept. 17 in Anaheim. 

The conference is the largest of its kind in the nation and came amid a wave of new challenges for HIV research and treatment. Since the beginning of the second Trump-Vance administration, federal spending cuts have targeted HIV/AIDS programs, including the gutting of the U.S. Agency for International Development and proposed cuts to PEPFAR, which supports HIV testing and treatment globally, in 2025. 

Last year, Congress maintained funding for HIV programs after proposed cuts faced opposition from advocacy groups and bipartisan criticism. Yet, this year Congress has proposed similar cuts to many of the same programs, which would cut nearly one billion dollars in HIV funding. The majority of the cuts would impact HIV prevention and outreach, which includes ending nearly all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV prevention activities. 

“If we continue down this path,” said Jeremiah Johnson, the executive director of PrEP4ALL, an advocacy group that supports expanding access to HIV prevention. “We’re going to see more people falling off treatment. We’re going to see more wait lists. That’s going to lead to more people dying from AIDS-related complications.”

Cuts and Challenges

The funding cuts loomed over the conference and inspired protest from activists. 

On the first day of USCHA, activists with Save HIV Funding organized a mock funeral outside the convention center. Advocates living with HIV wrote eulogies for themselves, meant to show the consequences of diminished access to treatment. Then activists marched through the conference carrying fake coffins. 

Johnson, who helped organize the protest, said that “the Trump administration has eviscerated global aid … and the fears that many of us are just talking about hypothetically for ourselves at the moment are already happening [internationally]. And so we wanted to place that front and center at this conference.”

The attacks on funding for HIV research and outreach come at a complicated time for the movement to end the AIDS epidemic. While options for prevention and treatment have never been more accessible, such as PrEP and antiretroviral therapy, there have been some concerning upticks in infections, particularly among communities of color.

Southern states account for the majority of new HIV infections in the country, despite making up only 38 percent of the population. And these infections impact disproportionately Black and Latino communities. According to the CDC, even as overall HIV infections decreased from 2018 to 2022, diagnoses of HIV among Latinos grew by 17 percent, with a majority of this increase happening in the South. 

Stigma is still the biggest barrier for people seeking out HIV treatment, said Guillermo Chacón, president of the Latino Commission on AIDS. 

“The progress that we [made] in the past two years has been demolished,” he said. 

Chacón blames the federal government for stigmatizing HIV treatment by using harmful rhetoric about queer people. 

“The level of homophobia and transphobia right now is even higher because it has been used as a political message to create fear and division in our country,” he said. 

Chacón believes that research and outreach must be done to reverse the rising HIV infections among Latinos. However, this is exactly the type of research that the Trump-Vance administration is targeting most intensely. Research into “health disparities” — why some health problems impact certain communities more than others — has been heavily criticized by the White House, along with other research that it considers “woke” and claims is not supported by science. 

Impact Felt at Conference

The opening plenary for the conference addressed some of the funding challenges the movement was facing but tried to shift the focus to the victories the movement has seen over the years. Speakers highlighted historic successful activist campaigns like ACT UP, and recent improvements in medical care and access to treatment. 

Randevyn Pierre, head of U.S. external affairs at ViiV Healthcare, the sponsor of the plenary, took the stage to celebrate the success of the U = U campaign (undetectable viral load = untransmittable HIV virus), and ViiV’s investment of $33 million in HIV community organizations across the U.S. This comes as the Trump-Vance administration has made moves to end direct funding of community-based organizations, opting to give the funding to state healthcare agencies. 

The speakers at the conference discussed reducing stigma for those living with HIV and the joy of living authentically. They also emphasized the diverse groups of people that are impacted by HIV and how they can come together to fight for a cure. Longtime AIDS activist Rae Lewis Thorton exclaimed, “When they tell me there’s a cure to HIV, I’m gonna take off my 4-inch heels and put on gold slippers,” to applause from the audience. 

The opening plenary also featured song and dance from a variety of artists, many of whom spoke about how HIV has impacted their own lives and how advocacy has uplifted their spirits. However, the joyous atmosphere at the conference would not last. 

On the final day of USCHA, Geri Donenberg, the associate director of AIDS research at the National Institutes of Health, took the stage to address the conference. 

As she spoke, phones began to buzz around the room with breaking news: the Trump-Vance administration was drafting an executive order to create an external board to oversee NIH grants and screen them for political content. NMAC CEO Harold Philips took the stage after Donenberg to address the crowd. “It’s up to us,” Philips said, “to hold NIH accountable.” He added that HIV advocates “have supporters inside NIH who are struggling and working to do the right thing. We have to have their back.” 

Chants of “stand up, fight back, fight AIDS” erupted from the crowd as Philips spoke. “We do have to fight back. We do have to continue to fight,” Philips replied. 

Caleb Kaufman is a California Local News Fellow placed with the Los Angeles Blade. The California Local News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting. Learn more about it at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows.

The cat is out of the bag: Alice B. is handing the reins over to Gertie permanently. You know I’m a Living Out resident and spokesperson, so I tend to know the inside scoop on what’s happening. While the announcement was released by Chef Susan and Mary Sue yesterday, it was in the works for some time.

In fact, Coachella Valley Independent food writer Charles Drabkin was in just last week to sample the new menu and talk with Living Out management about the permanent change. His column will appear soon with more clarification and a look at the changes under the new management.

I’ve known Susan and Mary Sue since my days in LA when they volunteered their time and food to Outfest each year. And I spent time with Susan as we recorded radio commercials for KGAY and did social media posts for Alice B. She had a vision that wasn’t always accessible to all. But creative differences are a thing in the culinary world just as they are in any creative endeavor.

It’s great to have recognition by the Michelin Guide, but making the space work for both residents of Living Out and the community was a challenge. There were only so many nights one could feast on Steak Diane. But it was a great experiment and there were many highlights including hosting Michelle Obama! Susan promises that there will be a Thanksgiving dinner-at-home offering, and they will still do catering under Border Grill.

The handoff to Gertie’s Salon & Bar has been seamless with most of the staff remaining. The live entertainment now in the dining room itself, the accessible and varied menu items and some decoration changes make it very welcoming.

We tend to react to news like this looking for a pattern: Does it indicate that other restaurants will close? How will “season” be this year” There’s always an ebb and flow, but times are difficult in our tourism economy today due to you-know-who. Our Canadian friends are going to continue to stay away, and international tourism is down across the USA.

Let’s continue to support our LGBTQ+ friendly spaces with our dollars and our recommendations to friends and visitors. We curate a list on the Dine & Sip section of GayDesertGuide.LGBT. Let’s let ’em know that you found them here.

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

Here’s what’s ahead in sunny Palm Springs!

Cinema Diverse 2026

Cinema Diverse 2026 runs all weekend at the Palm Springs Cultural Center. The LGBTQ+ film festival spans multiple days and screening blocks, celebrating queer storytelling through documentaries, narratives, comedies, dramas, and experimental shorts. Across three theatres, audiences can explore films that examine identity, chosen family, activism, romance, and the intersections of gender, sexuality, and community. The festival continues for a second long weekend, September 24–27. More info

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Live! Laugh! Lust! Positively Aging Project Conference

The Live! Laugh! Lust! Positively Aging Project Conference takes place Saturday, September 19 from 9 am–3 pm at the Mizell Center. The day begins with registration and a complimentary breakfast at 9 am, followed by programming from 10 am–3 pm including a complimentary lunch. Attendees can visit resource tables featuring healthcare providers, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and support services. Keynote speakers Mark S. King, Shann Carr, and Nina Grace Ruedas explore aging, resilience, intimacy, and authentic living. More info

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Contour Dermatology Day of Beauty

Contour Dermatology hosts its Day of Beauty on Saturday, September 19. This culmination of a weeklong celebration marks the practice’s 25th anniversary with casino‑themed specials, premium filler deals, discounts on esthetician services, skincare products, select procedures and more. Guests can enjoy virtual or in‑office consultations and Saturday’s Winning Look Jackpot Party from 9 am–1 pm features demonstrations and product showcases. John Taylor will be Out and About with the KGAY Prize Wheel from 10 am–Noon! The event benefits the McCallum Theatre. More info

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Gay Days Anaheim 2026

Gay Days Anaheim 2026 runs Friday–Sunday, September 18–20 at Disneyland Resort, bringing shows, special theme park tickets, and LGBTQ+ community magic to The Happiest Place on Earth. Featured performances include Alyssa Edwards, Irene the Alien, Cheyenne Jackson, Zach Noe Towers, Jan Sport, Jackie Cox, and Kay Sedia. Attendees can explore Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, three resort hotels, and Downtown Disney, with access to limited‑time theme park ticket offers. More info

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Greater Palm Springs Spa Month

Greater Palm Springs Spa Month unfolds across the Greater Palm Springs Area all month long, with exclusive wellness experiences throughout all nine resort cities. Slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace self‑care your way—whether through a mineral spring soak, a rejuvenating facial, a deeply relaxing massage, a sound bath under the desert sky, or a full day dedicated entirely to restoration. Participating resort spas, day spas, and hot springs spas offer limited‑time treatments and special packages all September. More info

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Palm Springs Summit on Extreme Heat

The Palm Springs Summit on Extreme Heat happens Friday, September 18 from 9 am–5 pm at the Palm Springs Convention Center. Registration runs from 8–9 am before a full day of panels and discussions with climate experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. The summit focuses on strategies for staying safe during extreme heat events and building a more resilient community, offering education, action planning, and local engagement. More info

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Living Over the Rainbow

The Rainbow Connection hosts a special screening of Living Over the Rainbow on Friday, September 18 from 6–8 pm at the Spiritual Center of the Desert in Palm Desert. This exclusive showing features the NYC staged reading of the new original musical by Roz Esposito, inspired by true events. The story follows a slain transgender student guided through the afterlife to explore the cost and power of living authentically. Esposito will be present for the event, with a Q&A session following the screening. More info

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SPEAK – A Collection of Five New Plays

At Spirit Animal at Hotel Zoso, SPEAK: A Collection of Five New Plays presents a new works showcase Friday, September 18 from 6–9 pm. Featuring five original plays performed by five casts, the evening blends comedy, drama, memory, and movement within a unified, ever‑shifting set. Pieces include The One About the Letter, Violet, Hide and Peace, Stay Right Here, and Miss Erica’s Acting Class. More info

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Radical End of Summer Pool Party

The Radical End of Summer Pool Party splashes into the Palm Springs Surf Club Friday, September 18 from 6–10 pm. Guests can hang by the pool, dance to throwback hits from the ’80s and ’90s, and enjoy food and drinks throughout the night. This 21+ event invites attendees to bring a swimsuit and towel for a starry evening of music, friends, and community spirit. More info

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Jason Graae, Miss Peggy Lee & The Judy Show!

The Purple Room packs a full weekend of cabaret brilliance from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, beginning with Jason Graae’s razor‑sharp wit and Broadway‑polished vocals in It’s a Graae Night for Singing! on Friday. Saturday brings Chuck Sweeney’s award‑winning homage FEVER! An Evening with Miss Peggy Lee, blending humor, nostalgia, and impeccable musicality. The weekend wraps with Michael Holmes’ iconic The Judy Show! on Sunday, a high‑camp, fast‑paced parody of Judy Garland’s 1964 variety series featuring surprise celebrity impressions and nonstop laughs. Each ticket includes an automatic dinner reservation. More info

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Sketch Comedy Writing Intensive

Sharpen your comedic voice with a three‑day Sketch Comedy Writing Intensive at CVRep, running Friday, September 18 from 7–10 pm, and Saturday–Sunday, September 19–20 from 10 am–1 pm. Instructor Darren Held leads this collaborative, hands‑on workshop where participants learn to generate ideas, heighten effectively, and build strong sketch structure in a supportive writers’ room environment. You’ll explore character‑driven humor, complete five different types of sketches, and gain tools used at The Groundlings, Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Held2gether. More info

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Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ

Burgers, Boys & Brews — Sunday BBQ returns Sunday, September 20 from 2:30–4:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge. This weekly backyard‑style cookout features fresh‑grilled burgers, hot dogs, sides, bottomless mimosas, bottomless draft beer, great music, and live male entertainment. It’s a lively Sunday afternoon tradition where guests can eat, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. More info

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DUI Checkpoint Friday

The Palm Springs Police Department will conduct a DUI Checkpoint on Friday, September 18 from 8 pm–2 am at an undisclosed location, part of ongoing efforts to reduce impaired‑driving crashes in the city. Impairment can come from alcohol, certain medications, or marijuana, and a first‑time DUI can cost roughly $13,500 plus a suspended license.

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• Films in the Gardens: Big Fish (2003) • Moviegoers enjoy a free outdoor screening presented in partnership with the Palm Springs International Film Society on Friday at 7:30 pm at Sunnylands.
• Coachella Valley Community Blood Drive • Donors support local patients and help strengthen the regional blood supply during a community drive on Saturday from 9 am–2 pm at the Palm Springs Police Department Training Center. Organized alongside LifeStream Blood Bank, each donation also generates support for FIND Food Bank.
• David Farnsworth Bon Voyage Party & Sale • Ceramicist David Farnsworth showcases new ceramics and paintings during a send-off exhibition on Saturday from 12–5 pm at Ernesto Ramirez Fine Art Gallery.
• Sloshed: Spelling Bee — A Musical Comedy Under the Influence • Performers present an unpredictable, improv-filled musical production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Saturday at 7 pm at Spirit Animal at Hotel Zoso. Audiences will enjoy interactive comedy, surprise competition moments, and nightlife fun where nothing goes according to plan.
• Unbuttoned, a Boylesque Social Experience • Dancer and choreographer Michael Silas blends dance, storytelling, and sharp comedic flair on Saturday from 7–8:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge. The former Lady Gaga dancer delivers a bold boylesque performance designed specifically for Palm Springs audiences.
• Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays • Country dancers of all skill levels join Jan Alden for a beginner waltz lesson and open dancing on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio.
• Tommy Emmanuel, CGP • Virtuosic acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel performs a solo concert showcasing pop, jazz, classical, and roots influences on Saturday from 7–10 pm at Palm Springs Plaza Theatre.
• The Who Generation – A Tribute to The Who • Tribute band The Who Generation channels guitar-driven energy and classic rock anthems on Saturday from 8–11 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City.
• Matt Mathews: Not What I Ordered World Tour • Stand-up comedian Matt Mathews brings his signature raw humor to the stage on Saturday at 8 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage. Enjoy an evening of unapologetic comedy from this fast-rising Southern star.
• NSFW – New Season of Work • Featured artists Russ White, T. Young, Merick Reed, Don Fisher, and Terrence Payne showcase exciting contemporary artwork through September 30 at Rubine Red Gallery.
• A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit • An intergenerational group of artists explores esoteric knowledge, sacred power, and alternative spiritual traditions through October 18 at Palm Springs Art Museum (currently open Thursday–Sunday).

Palm Springs is celebrating its 40th anniversary of Pride and has announced the grand marshals for this year’s event. The annual Palm Springs Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2026, with the theme “Be Included.” 

The grand marshals for this year were selected for their contributions to uplifting LGBTQ community and efforts to expand equality.  

Comedian, writer, and actor Fortune Feimster was named the National Grand Marshal for the parade. Feimster is widely known for her stand-up specials and will be performing her special, Fortune Feimster: Takin’ Care of Biscuits (Encore), at the Plaza Theater on November 8th at 8:00 pm. Her extensive acting career includes starring roles in Netflix’s hit series The Hawk alongside Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon, FUBAR with Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Mindy Project, and feature films like Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar and Apple’s The Dink. She is also a co-host of the award-winning podcast Handsome and co-host of SiriusXM’s What A Joke Radio.

Actor and singer Cheyenne Jackson will serve as the Celebrity Grand Marshal. Jackson is known for his acclaimed work across stage, screen, and concert hall, being recognized for his work in Broadway productions, earning an Emmy nomination for Julie and the Phantoms and a Grammy nomination for the cast recording of West Side Story. He was seen on Broadway in productions such as XANADU, Into the Woods, All Shook Up, and Finian’s Rainbow. On screen, he’s had prominent roles in American Horror Story, 30 Rock, Glee, The Morning Show, and Julie and the Phantoms. Jackson will perform live in Palm Springs on Sunday, November 8, at 6:00 PM at the McCallum Theatre.

Dottie DuBois, also known as Marshal Percy, was named Pride Royalty for Life to honor the legacy of Les Dames Du Soleil, a drag troupe from the Coachella Valley that raised over two million dollars for DAP Health. 

Gary Moline will receive the Community Service Award in celebration of his twenty-plus years of work with the Pride Bands Alliance and extensive civic engagement. Moline served as Artistic Director, board member, and national delegate to the Pride Bands Alliance. His extensive community work includes serving on the Greater Palm Springs Pride Board, the Desert Business Association, and as a California State Council Member of the Rail Passengers Association.

The pride parade will begin at 10:00 am on November 8, starting at Palm Canyon Drive at Tachevah and marching to the official entrance of the Pride Festival. The parade is free and open to the public. 

For more information regarding the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Pride in Palm Springs, parade route updates, and festival schedules, please visit pspride.org.

Caleb Kaufman is a California Local News Fellow placed with the Los Angeles Blade. The California Local News Fellowship is a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting. Learn more about it at fellowships.journalism.berkeley.edu/cafellows.

DO THE RIGHT THING had its most recent recognition ceremony this week at the Palm Springs Police Training Center. Missing was former chief Andy Mills who had helped bring prominence to this nonprofit which recognizes and rewards school-age youth for good behavior.

It was touching to see the kids and hear the stories of their accomplishments, overcoming adversity ranging from learning disabilities to family issues. From a four-year-old to a 20-year-old, each had their moment in the spotlight, surrounded by family, their teachers and school administrators, elected officials, and our police.

Chief Mills’ lasting legacy will be his fostering trust between the youth and local law enforcement. Mills noted that early on, some children were afraid to participate in the program because they feared that interacting with the police could lead to their parents being taken away. Under his leadership and community-focused approach, those relationships changed, and the youth learned to trust the officers. As he departed Palm Springs last week, he strongly urged us to continue on with DO THE RIGHT THING.

Chief Mills also fostered that trust in our LGBTQ+ community during his tenure. Where a former police chief conducted sting operations in Warm Sands, Chief Mills would take to social media to remind men not to cruise in the wash nearby.

He transformed the department to be true allies of ours, and it showed immediately as Chief Kyle Stjerne directed his officers to show up on Arenas after a shooting at a gay bar in Tucson. The social media posts showed officers chatting with patrons at Streetbar. That simple act made all the difference in the world to us.

KESQ quoted Stjerne on how he plans to lead: “My mother taught us very early that actions speak louder than words. So I’m not going to tell you about all the great things the Palm Springs Police Department is going to do for this city and these people moving forward. We’re going to prove it to you, we’re going to show you every single day. That is my commitment.”

Doing the right thing is something we should all aspire to, even if we don’t get an award for it.

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

Here’s what’s ahead in sunny Palm Springs!

KGAY BIG SPLASH Pool Party

We’re baaaack! The KGAY BIG SPLASH Pool Party returns Friday, September  11 from 7–10 pm at the Palm Springs Surf Club, bringing nighttime Lazy River access, River Island fun, beats by DJ Galaxy, poolside cocktails, giveaways, and a pre‑party Happy Hour from 5–7 pm. All proceeds support your station KGAY 103.1! Get tickets

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New Player Clinics – Palm Springs Gay Softball League

The Palm Springs Gay Softball League hosts New Player Clinics on Saturday–Sunday, September 12–13 at Big League Dreams in Cathedral City, with sessions beginning at 9 am both days. Participants only need to attend one clinic, making it easy for newcomers—whether seasoned players or total beginners—to get involved. Open to anyone over 18, the clinics offer a fun, welcoming introduction to the fall season and encourage players to register in advance and bring gloves, good shoes, and water. More info

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SPACEPLAY

SPACEPLAY brings together three dynamic artists for a multi‑day showcase running Thursday–Sunday, September 10–13 at Impell Gallery. Featuring painter/mixed‑media artist James O’Keefe, painter/ceramicist/sculptor Mary Jeys, and ceramicist Eduardo Lerma, the exhibition highlights creative voices from the high desert and beyond. The schedule includes the Lofts Art District Art Walk on Thursday, September 10 from 4–7 pm, a General Reception on Saturday, September 12 from 2–6 pm, and Closing Day on Sunday, September 13 from 2–4 pm. More info

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Greater Palm Springs Spa Month

Greater Palm Springs Spa Month unfolds across the Greater Palm Springs Area all month long, celebrating National Self‑Care Awareness Month with exclusive wellness experiences throughout all nine resort cities. This featured promotion invites guests to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace self‑care their way—whether through a mineral spring soak, a rejuvenating facial, a deeply relaxing massage, a sound bath under the desert sky, or a full day dedicated entirely to restoration. Participating resort spas, day spas, and hot springs spas offer limited‑time treatments and special packages all September, making it easy to explore, book, and enjoy your perfect wellness escape. More info

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“Weird Al” Yankovic – Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour

“Weird Al” Yankovic brings his Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour to Acrisure Arena on Sunday, September 13 at 7:30 pm, delivering a full‑production multimedia spectacle packed with iconic parodies and fan‑favorite deep cuts. Joined by his longtime band and four new players, Al’s super‑sized show blends sharp musical comedy with high‑energy performance. From “Eat It” to “White & Nerdy,” this Grammy‑winning legend offers an outrageous night of entertainment for fans across generations. More info

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Purple Room Weekend Entertainment

The Purple Room Supper Club has reopened after an A/C failure made it too hot to handle! It sets the stage for a standout weekend of music and entertainment Friday–Sunday, September 11–13, with a spotlight on two powerhouse evenings to start things off. Brenna Whitaker and Michael Orland headline Friday, September 11, offering an intimate blend of beloved classics, heartfelt ballads, and selections from Brenna’s album Reverie, all elevated by Michael’s signature piano artistry. On Saturday, September 12, Scot Bruce channels the early years of Elvis Presley with uncanny resemblance, signature vocals, and a high‑energy band that brings rock ’n’ roll’s formative era to life. The weekend wraps on Sunday, September 13, when The Judy Show! delivers hysterical comedy, Golden Age glamour, and Michael Holmes’ razor‑sharp parodies of Judy Garland and Hollywood’s greatest icons. More info

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Billy L’Amour & The Love Notes – Apocalipstick

Billy L’Amour & The Love Notes take over Spirit Animal at Hotel Zoso on Friday, September 11 from 7–9 pm, delivering Apocalipstick—a glamorous cabaret filled with live vocals, comedy, storytelling, and theatrical flair. Joined by special guest Todd Mackofsky, Billy blends vintage Las Vegas inspiration with Parisian revue style for a night of fabulous chaos, with a live band, spectacular costumes, and two cocktails included with every ticket. More info

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Films in the Gardens – The Hidden Life of Trees (2020)

Films in the Gardens: The Hidden Life of Trees screens at Sunnylands on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 pm, part of the Roots & Reveries outdoor film series presented with the Palm Springs International Film Society. Inspired by Curating Canopy: Trees at Sunnylands, this week’s program explores how trees communicate and support one another, guided by forester Peter Wohlleben. Gates open at 6 pm, inviting guests to arrive early, bring a blanket, and enjoy a cinematic night under the stars. More info

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Hitchcock Retrospective – Strangers on a Train

Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center presents Strangers on a Train (1951) on Friday, September 11 from 7–10 pm, a sinister Hitchcock thriller where a chance encounter spirals into obsession and danger. Starring Farley Granger and Robert Walker, the film transforms everyday settings—trains, tennis courts, amusement parks—into stages for escalating tension and psychological intrigue. More info

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Voyage – Celebrating the Music of Journey

Voyage rocks The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa on Friday, September 11 from 8–11 pm. Fronted by vocalist Pedro Espada, whose tone channels Steve Perry, the band delivers blistering guitar solos, lush keyboards, and soaring harmonies that recreate Journey’s iconic sound. With hits like “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Voyage transports audiences back to the height of arena‑rock glory. More info

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Brothers of the Desert Members & Allies Lunch

The Brothers of the Desert host their Members & Allies Lunch on Saturday, September 12 from 12:30–2 pm at Mark’s Burgers in Cathedral City. Both members and allies are welcome for this casual community gathering, with attendees encouraged to RSVP before September 11. It’s a friendly midday meetup designed to connect, socialize, and enjoy good company. More info

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Whitney Cummings – Big Baby Tour

Whitney Cummings brings her Big Baby Tour to the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre on Saturday, September 12 at 7 pm, showcasing her bold, observational humor and sharp cultural commentary. Known for stand‑up specials across Netflix, Max, and Comedy Central, Whitney blends personal stories with fearless wit, diving into single‑mom life, personal growth, and the comedy of owning your mistakes. More info

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The Power of Participation — Turn Up. Turn Out.

The Mizell Center hosts a free, one‑hour civic engagement event on Sunday, September 13, inviting the community to come together for The Power of Participation: Turn Up. Turn Out. Presented by Voices Reclaimed, this nonpartisan gathering begins with voter registration at 1:30 pm, followed by a 2–3 pm program featuring uplifting music, community voices, and practical ways to get involved. Speakers include Lauren Mayer, Lisa Middleton, Chris Jackson, and Becki Robinson, with Joe Smith as emcee. The event encourages attendees to show up for one another through voting, volunteering, mentoring, and meaningful connection. Advance registration encouraged at UMCPS.org.

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Burgers, Boys & Brews – Sunday BBQ

The Social Cafe & Lounge heats up Sunday afternoon with Burgers, Boys & Brews on Sunday, September 13 from 2:30–4:30 pm. This weekly backyard‑style cookout features fresh‑grilled burgers, hot dogs, sides, bottomless mimosas, bottomless draft beer, and live male entertainment. It’s an all‑inclusive brunch atmosphere where guests can eat, drink, and enjoy the lively weekend vibe. More info

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Bylines Film Series – Citizen Kane

The Palm Springs Cultural Center screens Citizen Kane on Sunday, September 13 from 3–5:30 pm, presented as part of the Bylines, Broadcasts & the Big Screen Film Series. Often hailed as the greatest film ever made, Orson Welles’ masterpiece follows journalist attempts to decode Charles Foster Kane’s final word—“Rosebud”—through a groundbreaking narrative structure and deep‑focus cinematography. The series, hosted by the Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation, includes introductions and post‑film discussions exploring journalism’s cultural impact. More info

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• Bootlegger Tiki Preview Cocktail Menu Tours • Guests can explore an iconic mid-century home with Brandon and Dexter during daytime architectural tours on Friday–Sunday from 11 am–6 pm at The Shag House, or attend the Preview Cocktail Menu Party, with live hula on Saturday from 6–8 pm benefiting Pinups 4 Cancer. Both experiences offer exclusive preview tastings of new Volume 19 cocktails.
• Cinema Couture: Movie Trivia • Participants can test their film knowledge, win prizes, and enjoy drag performances alongside movie showtune sing-alongs on Saturday from 7–8:30 pm at Festival Theaters Palm Springs. Presented by TRASH, this friendly competition promises a fierce and fun night for movie lovers.
• Night Swim • DJs spin live music at the ultimate after-hours pool party on Saturday from 6–10 pm at Palm Springs Surf Club.
• Unbuttoned: A Boylesque Social Experience • Michael Silas blends energetic dance, storytelling, and sharp comedy into a bold, intimate performance on Saturday from 7–8:30 pm at The Social Cafe & Lounge.
• Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays • Rob Ollander-Krane teaches a beginner two-step lesson during a lively night of country western dancing on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio.
• Island Fest • J Boog headlines a tropical celebration featuring live music, cultural entertainment, and hula dancers on Saturday from 8–11 pm at The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.
• Headgames: A Tribute to Foreigner • Headgames captures driving guitars, powerful vocals, and unforgettable hooks on Saturday from 8–11 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City.
• NSFW: New Season of Work • Russ White, T. Young, Merick Reed, Don Fisher, and Terrence Payne showcase exciting contemporary pieces at a special exhibition celebrating the opening of the local art season at Rubine Red Gallery through September 30.
• A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit • An intergenerational group of artists explores how mysticism and alternative spiritual practices have shaped LGBTQ+ struggles for liberation from Thursday–Sunday at Palm Springs Art Museum through October 18. The works reflect diverse traditions as celebrated by theorist Gloria Anzaldúa.

Anita Bryant was waging war on our LGBTQ+ community in Dade County back in 1977 when Gloria Steinem came to Miami to help our cause. Throughout her 90 plus years, the feminist became a supporter of our causes, becoming one of the early supporters of the Human Rights Campaign.

Her death this week reminds us that we have allies in many corners of the world. Her views were sometimes controversial — and misunderstood — especially on transgender issues.

In a 2013 essay for The Advocate, she explained her views from 1977 which became a flashpoint to the trans community when she questioned whether society sometimes pressured people to change themselves rather than confront prejudice.

So now I want to be unequivocal in my words: I believe that transgender people, including those who have transitioned, are living out real, authentic lives. Those lives should be celebrated, not questioned.- – Gloria Steinem

And like Dolly Parton, Steinem stood up to criticism from her ‘fans and followers’ for supporting LGBTQ+ rights. She said that lesbians were “the most vulnerable group of women”. She advocated for ENDA, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

She didn’t live to see her memoir released – it’s due out September 22nd. But the stories contained in those chapters will illuminate a life well-lived and the document the many struggles that transpired in her lifetime. Her impact on social justice will live on.

In a Instagram post announcing her death, her family wrote, “Gloria has given the world with the hope they have ripple effects for generations to come. Gloria often quoted the adage: “The flap of a butterfly’s wing can change the weather hundreds of miles away.” Fitting that the symbol for our trans community is the butterfly and that Gloria’s flap has had a lasting impact across the entire LGBTQ+ community.

Brad Fuhr, your K-Gay Desert Guide

Here’s what’s ahead in sunny Palm Springs!

Greater Palm Springs Spa Month

Greater Palm Springs Spa Month unfolds across the Greater Palm Springs Area all month long, celebrating National Self‑Care Awareness Month with exclusive wellness experiences throughout all nine resort cities. This featured promotion invites guests to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace self‑care their way—whether through a mineral spring soak, a rejuvenating facial, a deeply relaxing massage, a sound bath under the desert sky, or a full day dedicated entirely to restoration. Participating resort spas, day spas, and hot springs spas offer limited‑time treatments and special packages all September, making it easy to explore, book, and enjoy your perfect wellness escape. More info

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Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival / 2026 Blues at the Woodstock

The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival / 2026 Blues at the Woodstock takes the stage at Hotel Zoso on Friday, September 4 from 6:30–9 pm, kicking off a featured Labor Day weekend of powerhouse blues performances. The evening stars Miriah Avila, Kimberly Nichole, and Dr. Gail Jhonson’s Blues All‑Stars, celebrating independent female artists with bold voices and unforgettable musicianship. The festival continues through September 6 with concerts, Q&As, exhibitions, and more. Check our event listing for more details: More info

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Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ

Burgers, Boys & Brews Sunday BBQ fires up The Social Cafe & Lounge on Sunday, September 6 from 2:30–5 pm, serving grilled burgers, hot dogs, bottomless mimosas, bottomless draft beer, and a hot male performance show. This backyard‑style brunch party blends great food, cold drinks, music, and high‑energy entertainment for a new Sunday tradition. More info

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Get Tix Now: KGAY BIG SPLASH Pool Party

Next weekend is about to make a BIG SPLASH — so here’s your early heads‑up! The KGAY BIG SPLASH Pool Party returns Friday, Sept. 11 from 7–10 pm at the Palm Springs Surf Club, bringing nighttime Lazy River access, River Island fun, beats by DJ Galaxy, poolside cocktails, giveaways, and a pre‑party Happy Hour from 5–7 pm. All proceeds support your station KGAY 103.1! Get tickets

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P!nk Tribute Night

Get ready for a high-energy concert experience with PInk Tribute Night at The Social Cafe & Lounge on Friday, September 4 at 7 pm. After three consecutive sold-out seasons captivating audiences in Puerto Vallarta and the Bay Area, the sensational Eva makes her highly anticipated Palm Springs debut as part of the venue’s First Fridays live performance series. Channeling P!nk’s raw energy, Eva doesn’t just impersonate one of pop music’s most iconic performers—she delivers a full, unforgettable concert experience up close. More info

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The Purple Room Season Opening Weekend

Purple Room Palm Springs heats up Labor Day weekend with David Burnham headlining Friday–Saturday, September 4–5, performing Burnham Sings Bublé at 8 pm (dinner at 6 pm). His brand‑new show celebrates the greatest hits of multi‑Grammy winner Michael Bublé with contemporary swing and powerhouse vocals. On Sunday, September 6, The Judy Show! returns as Michael Holmes brings his beloved madcap classic back to the stage. More info

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NSFW – New Season of Work

NSFW – New Season of Work launches a month-long season-opening exhibition at Rubine Red Gallery through September 30. Featuring new work by Russ White, T. Young, Merick Reed, Don Fisher, and Terrence Payne, this showcase celebrates the start of the 2026–2027 Palm Springs Art Season with fresh perspectives and dynamic contemporary art from five standout creators. More info

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The Temptations

The Temptations perform at The Show on Friday, September 4 at 8 pm, bringing their iconic harmonies, signature choreography, and decades of chart‑topping hits to the stage. With classics like “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” this legendary group continues to captivate audiences with stories and songs spanning generations. More info

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WET + WILD | Rump & Bass

Presented by Eagle Cathedral City, WET + WILD: Rump & Bass ignites Labor Day Weekend with a two‑part, high‑energy celebration at The Sonoran. Friday’s WILD event on September 4 from 9 pm–2 am unleashes a late‑night dance party featuring Circle Jerk and the Palm Springs debut of NYC DJ duo MA’AM, delivering thick basslines and a wild crowd vibe. The weekend continues Sunday, September 6 from 2–7 pm with WET, a sun‑soaked pool party soundtracked by Marc Kelly and Bryan Hughes. More info

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Unbuttoned, A Boylesque Social Experience

Unbuttoned, A Boylesque Social Experience brings the electrifying talent of Michael Silas to The Social Cafe & Lounge on Saturday, September 5 from 7 pm–8:30 pm. Silas blends dance, storytelling, and sharp comedic flair into an intimate boylesque evening shaped by decades of global performance experience. More info

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ABBA L.A. – A Tribute to ABBA

ABBA L.A. lights up Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City on Saturday, September 5 at 8 pm, celebrating the disco‑era magic of ABBA with favorites like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and “Waterloo.” Expect soaring harmonies, glittering pop nostalgia, and a dance‑floor‑ready night. More info

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The Great Backstage Blowout Sale

The Great Backstage Blowout Sale takes over Indio Performing Arts Center on Saturday–Sunday, September 5–6 from 8 am–4 pm, offering two huge days of indoor bargain hunting to benefit Desert TheatreWorks. Shoppers can explore costumes, props, set pieces, lighting and sound equipment, furniture, clothing, electronics, and more—many with real stage history. Every purchase supports DTW’s nonprofit mission, youth programming, and upcoming DTW Thrift Shop opening later this fall. More info

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A Luncheon with Nancy Kerrigan

A Luncheon with Nancy Kerrigan invites guests to Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa Rancho Mirage on Saturday, September 5 from 11 am–1:30 pm for an elegant fundraising celebration hosted by The Desert Figure Skating Club. The event features a live on‑stage interview with Nancy Kerrigan, moderated by Olympian Randy Gardner, plus a book signing and silent auction supporting the club’s programs. More info

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Drag Me To The Movies

Drag Me To The Movies screens four beloved drag‑themed classics at The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre on Saturday–Sunday, September 5–6 with showtimes at 2 pm, 7 pm, and 7:30 pm. Audiences can enjoy The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Birdcage, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, and Cabaret, celebrating resilience, self‑expression, and queer cinematic history all weekend long. More info

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Tramway Holiday Hours + Maintenance Closure

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is offering extended Labor Day Weekend hours, making it an ideal last chance to ride before the annual maintenance closure on September 8. From September 5–7, trams start at 8 am each day, with late evening departures — last tram up at 9 pm and down at 10:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and last tram up at 8 pm and down at 9:30 pm on Monday. It’s a perfect time to enjoy cool mountain air, scenic hikes, or dining at Peaks Restaurant and Pines Café before the Tram temporarily shuts down.

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• Singin’ & Swingin’ • Performers Tod Macofsky and Kari Kirkland celebrate jazz, swing, and timeless standards with a live band on Friday from 7–7:30 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs.
• The Music of The Eagles • Tribute band Boys of Summer kicks off Labor Day weekend with a celebration of the Eagles’ timeless catalog of rock classics on Friday from 8–11 pm at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City.
• CCBC Pool Party Labor Day Weekend • Holiday celebrants can jump into the pool and enjoy a holiday gathering on Saturday from 12–4 pm at CCBC Resort, inviting friends and visitors to kick back and socialize during the festive Labor Day weekend.
• Night Swim at Palm Springs Surf Club • Lively DJs spin music for an after-hours pool party under the lights on Saturday from 6–10 pm at The Palm Springs Surf Club. Guests can swim in the Island Pool, float down the Lazy River, and enjoy cocktails at the Island Bar during this 21+ event.
• Dance Ranch / Country Dance Saturdays • Dance Ranch Palm Springs hosts a welcoming night of country western dancing on Saturday from 7–9:30 pm at Step by Step Dance Studio. Instructors Rob Ollander-Krane and Kyle Young will teach lessons in shadow and line dancing for dancers of all levels.
• The Rack Pack: Weekly Men’s (Chinese) Mahjong Meet-Up • The Rack Pack invites men of all skill levels to a relaxed afternoon of Chinese Mahjong on Sunday from 4–6 pm at ACE Hotel & Swim Club.
• A Queer Arcana: Art, Magic, and Spirit • Explore how magic, spirituality, and esoteric knowledge have shaped queer art and culture Thursday–Sunday at the Palm Springs Art Museum. The exhibition features works reflecting occultism, witchcraft, and mysticism to highlight alternative spiritual practices in LGBTQ+ liberation struggles.

LGBTQ people have a variety of housing options when they’re lucky enough to be able to afford property. In San Francisco – long considered a safe haven for the queer community – individual needs have to be weighed both against the city’s chronic housing shortage and a competitive but often lucrative job market.

After a lull of several years, the city’s real estate market has heated up in recent months, driven by the city’s economic recovery post-COVID lockdowns and the artificial intelligence boom.

For Rick Page, 68, and Anthony Farace, 57, both gay men, the job market was a top reason to move back to the city after they’d left the Bay Area five years ago.

Page said the couple had left behind a “huge home in a town called Oakhurst, on the way to Yosemite.” When moving back to San Francisco they wanted to balance suburban and downtown vibes, Farace said, leading them to settle in Diamond Heights, a tiny neighborhood built atop three hills above Noe Valley, that has suburban sensibilities but isn’t too far from downtown.

“In the summer it’s a little foggy but it’s nicer up here the rest of the time, and where it felt like you aren’t downtown where it’s just concrete and buildings,” Farace said. 

Added Page, “It sounds goofy, but if there’s a tsunami, it won’t get all the way up here.”

Page said that in the spring the couple initially bought a relatively small studio in Diamond Heights. But they found that it didn’t meet their needs and purchased a second studio unit nearby that did. They closed on the larger condo unit in October.

“It just didn’t have any kind of patio or outdoor thing for the dog,” Page said of their first studio, “so we saw something upgraded with a kitchen redone, nice hardwood floors, a fireplace, a sunny patio, so it was much nicer. We bought that one, now we have to figure out what to do with the first one.”

The first unit was $450,000 and the second $520,000, they stated.

The couple also mentioned a lack of some of the downtown, South of Market, and Mission District street disorder that garnered negative headlines in the past several years. The couple also noted that Diamond Heights is more affordable than traditionally high-priced Russian Hill, which is closer to downtown. 

Nevertheless, “The employment, the social life is better” in San Francisco, Page added. 

Federal data shows many LGBTQ people want to own a home.

Fannie Mae, the government sponsored enterprise that buys home loans, does have some LGBT data, according to research from 2023 that was published in 2024. The data is the result of sexual orientation and gender identity identifiers in the National Housing Survey. It did not ask about queer representation.

According to the report, 8.6% of respondents identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender – similar to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. The survey included responses from a weighted total of 12,363 people 18 years and older, with a weighted total of 1,059 identifying as LGBT.

The research found the LGBT homeownership rate to be 46%, which is much lower than the overall U.S. homeownership rate of 65%.

The latest available data from The Urban Institute reveals that the homeownership rate for individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ stands at 51%, in contrast to 71% for those who identify as both straight and cisgender. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, at least 1.3 million same-sex couples reside in the U.S., meaning a significant number of LGBTQ people in this country do not own their own homes.

In San Francisco, the Diamond Heights neighborhood is just a half-hour walk from the Castro, and even shorter on the bus. 

Charlie Mader is a gay man who has been a Realtor in San Francisco for “just under 25 years,” with a particular emphasis on Diamond Heights, the Castro, and Noe Valley. He said that while many LGBTQ people want to live relatively close to a queer neighborhood, such as the Castro, “It’s not like it used to be.”

Even in spite of a recent backlash to LGBTQ equality in the mid-2020s, leading to a number of federal policies largely targeting transgender and gender-nonconforming people, Mader said that since marriage equality, “You hear ‘There’s no need for us to live together in a gay ghetto,’ and we’re interspersed throughout the community and the country.”

Marriage equality became legal in California in June 2013, two years before the U.S. Supreme Court made same-sex unions legal nationwide in 2015.

Mader said marriage equality helped incentivize more LGBTQ home-buying due to an old Clinton administration tax law that gave married couples favorable tax incentives versus single homebuyers. 

But even within the City-by-the-Bay, the distinction between neighborhoods is not as stark.

“I hear the Mission is just as gay as the Castro is, and the food is better,” Mader said. “I can’t argue with that.”

Angel Carney, a lesbian Realtor, has also been in the Castro area for decades. She said the threshold of home ownership there has risen dramatically. 

“When I first started,” which was in 2002, she said, “I had teachers, I had nurses, I had a doctor … It was diverse in terms of who was buying. Everybody had a way to get into the market.”

Now, “with tech, they blew out everybody,” she added, saying first-time homebuyers are sometimes competing with tech employees making six-figure salaries from their early 20s due to their economic opportunities.

Carney said that even so, “It’s mostly a two-income household who’s buying in the Castro,” largely people in their 30s.

“LGBTQ is more of a rarity,” she added. “I’ve seen more non-LGBTQ, I would say, couples buying in the Castro.”

One reason is because while it is such an iconic epicenter of the LGBTQ community, it is “definitely a transit hub, and it’s geographically central, so if you work on the Peninsula, you go over Diamond Street and you’re on [Highway] 280. You can get to BART, to the airport, it definitely is transit centric for work, for traveling, if you’re a tech worker.”

Understanding that unhoused people are often part of San Francisco neighborhoods such as the Castro is also a factor, Mader said. 

“Because gays are so tolerant, it draws a magnet for people who you know are distressed and so you see more antisocial behavior, begging on the street, people just getting high because they know they can get away with it,” he said. That can impact people’s desire to buy a forever home in one neighborhood or another.

Indeed, the Castro has experienced fewer open-air drug scenes than other parts of the city, such as Sixth Street or the Civic Center Plaza, which are both near the downtown core. Such activity has, however, remained a persistent complaint of Castro merchants. In early December, Sophie Marie, a legislative aide to gay Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, who represents the neighborhood as District 8 supervisor, noted that “a lot” of unhoused people have recently moved into the Castro as they leave South of Market and Civic Center amid an increase in law enforcement activity and attention from city government there.

The Castro is among those neighborhoods seeing building height limits increased as a result of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s family zoning plan that, after much rancor, passed the Board of Supervisors for the final time on December 9. The plan is intended to increase the city’s housing stock to meet state housing goals.

San Francisco’s median home sale price rose nearly 6% to $1.85 million, its highest amount since 2022, earlier this year, as the San Francisco Standard reported.  

Mader said that nonetheless, “There are empty condos everywhere for sale,” and that market is down 20% from its peak.

“Right now I’m selling for $625,000 – I’ve sold for $100,000 more than that,” Mader noted.

Carney agreed that condos are very available right now.

“If you’re thinking about entering the market, think about condos,” she advised. “When interest rates go down, prices will go up, so get in now on a condo. People say they’re waiting for the market to drop – well, the market dropped on condos. Those are a great buy right now.”

The Fannie Mae data showed that homeownership aspirations are high among LGBT consumers, with 83% saying they “would like to buy at some point” or “continue to own,” the report stated. This share is comparable to non-LGBT consumers, the report stated. LGBT consumers also believe there are more obstacles to owning a home than their non-LGBT peers.

Those obstacles include that over 70% of LGBT respondents said it was difficult to get a home mortgage today, compared to only 55% of non-LGBT respondents, according to the research. LGBT consumers were more concerned about closing costs, credit score or history, current debt, and insufficient income for monthly payments.

The Federal Reserve on December 10 lowered interest rates for the third time this year. The recent reduction was by a quarter of a percentage point, as the New York Times reported. The new range is between 3.25% to 3.75%. But CNBC noted that mortgage rates may remain higher because they are less impacted by the Fed. The average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is currently about 6.35%, the network reported December 10.

Nationally, the real estate market is dealing with the same uncertainty as the rest of the economy, now almost one year into President Donald Trump’s second term.

“Everyone is afraid of another Trump recession,” Mader said. “People are not buying houses especially in places like Florida, where they’re having all kinds of issues with insurance.”
Florida is the nation’s most expensive state for home insurance due to natural disasters like hurricanes. 

California is also experiencing insurance issues, particularly in areas prone to wildfires, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Most of the Bay Area is not as affected as other parts of the state, though insurance premiums are rising for home insurance.

Not everyone wants to live in a big city. 

Mark Kliem, who’s part of the LGBTQ Real Estate Alliance, focuses on the North Bay, encompassing Solano, Napa, and Sonoma counties. 

“Consumers can contact the alliance no matter where they live and connect with the nearest LGBTQ agent close to their area whether they are buyers or sellers,” Kliem, who is gay, said.
Kliem lives in the Solano County city of Vallejo, where the real estate market took a dive during the Great Recession.

“A lot of investors swooped in and bought up as many of those places as they could, so there was a lot of investing in property through that, and a lot of flippers,” he said, referring to people who buy a property, fix it up, and then sell it for a profit.

Now, the area is one of the country’s hottest real estate markets, he said, because it’s near San Francisco, has warmer weather and is more affordable long-term.

“It’s a good place location wise – we’re on a bay, we have a ferry service to downtown San Francisco. We don’t have BART, so it’s a little problematic to get to the nearest BART, but our weather gets even warmer, less fog, than Oakland. Throughout the year, it’s a five-degree difference from San Francisco.”

Ultimately, the Golden State and the Bay Area in particular are poised to remain competitive for buyers of all sexual orientations and gender identity – despite the fact that that leads to so many barriers to entry. Gay Realtor Anthony Waite, 30, explained why.

“A lot of people who moved to Austin, Texas [during the COVID pandemic lockdowns] said there’s not a lot to do,” Waite said. “In San Francisco, you could find something to do every single corner every hour, day and night. Texas doesn’t offer that.”

(Editor’s note: This article was originally published by the Bay Area Reporter and is part of a national initiative exploring how geography, policy, and local conditions influence access to opportunity. Find more stories at economicopportunitylab.com .)