community spotlight
by bella da ball EXIST. RESIST. PERSIST.
GREATER PALM SPRINGS PRIDE TAKES ON NEW LOOK WITH COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON GATHERINGS, CROWD SIZE
postponed due to guidelines, mandates, restrictions and action plans. In addition, there have been racial and civil unrest and protests, extreme
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weather with record high temperatures, hundreds of fires, eye-opening election-related revelations and conflicts, and the countdown to voting (don’t forget, vote Tuesday, November 3 or earlier if possible). Just think, we still have three months to go on this year’s calendar. For decades, Greater Palm Springs Pride has been an annual event in
cooler November, and this year will bring an entirely different type of LGBTQ celebration and observance. With the COVID-19 guidelines, there will be no large events where groups of people gather, so that means no traditional Pride parade with thousands of spectators, no traditional festival with stages, and no vendor marketplace. Many businesses are closed. Others are operating with modifications on
how they may be open, how many people may be served, how the flow is, what can and can’t be allowed with social distancing, mixing of households discouraged, and always, facial coverings or masks must be worn. Basically, all special events, celebrations, festivals, theatrical events,
sporting events, entertainment, charity fundraisers and functions have been canceled, greatly curtailed, postponed or in some cases, gone online for virtual contact and participation. Greater Palm Springs Pride won’t have the traditional parade with bands,
floats, thousands of participants. Won’t have the weekend festival with hundreds of entertainers on multiple stages. Won’t have the dozens of events promoting the LGBTQ spirit and lifestyle. Won’t have the throngs of people packing restaurants, bars and retail shops. Be sure to check the
pspride.org,
palmspringspride.gay for up-to-date details on what is open, what is closed, what has restricted capacity and what can operate outdoors only. And check the state, county and city websites for continuing information and revisions.
covid19.ca.gov,
rivcoph.org/ coronavirus,
palmspringsca.gov. There was no Pride Honors awards celebration this year and no grand marshals selected since there won’t be a regular parade. However, the Pride volunteer of the year selected from last year’s crew has been announced. Congratulations to Charlie Livecchi-Burtch on receiving this award for his tireless spirit, hard work and devotion to customer service.
Palm Springs Pride officials have been assessing opportunities to deliver
residents and business partners a reimagined, safe, socially-distanced Pride week celebration. They are focused on delivering a Safer Together, Greater Together message that everyone is welcome and respected for who they are in Palm Springs. They believe that all people deserve a diverse, inclusive, accepting and welcoming safe space to celebrate Pride and the community.
10
ragemonthly.com October 2020
o say that the year 2020 has been a hell of an experience is a major understatement. The year has been dominated by the coronavirus and its millions of cases in this country and more than 200,000 deaths nationally, causing thousands of events to be cancelled or
“In lifting each other up, even when it’s hard, even during a pandemic,
we build allies, opportunities and resources to live our best lives and help those around us do the same,” said Ron deHarte, Greater Palm Springs Pride president.
PALM SPRINGS PRIDE HAPPENINGS
–Prime Time Pride: Nicholas Snow, producer and host of
PromoHomo.TV, presents the online series Prime Time Pride every Tuesday in October and nightly during Pride weekend. Free to watch, all programs will be live- streamed on Facebook.
–Flag Raising: Pride will be opened officially Friday, November 6 with the traditional flag raising, presented by Gilead. Even though the gathering won’t be held in person, everyone will be able to watch a live stream of the ceremony with elected officials and civic leaders speaking about what Pride means to the city of Palm Springs. Everyone is welcome to virtually cheer the unfurling of the giant rainbow flag from the top of the iconic Stergious Tower, as well as at City Hall and other locations. Rainbow flags, symbolic of both the unity and diversity of the LGBTQ community, will fly throughout the city to remind the world that everyone is supported, embraced and welcome to Palm Springs.
–Interfaith Pride: An Interfaith Pride Kabbalat Shabbat will be held online on the evening of Friday, November 6.
–Light Up the Night: Everyone is invited to host their own virtual lighting ceremony celebrating equality, equity and diversity. This “Go Rainbow” citywide effort encourages displaying pink lights and rainbow theme decorations to show solidarity and support for the LGBTQ community. Light Up the Night will also honor those impacted by COVID-19, to remember loved ones lost, and to create a glowing show of community support and hope for a future free of the darkness that coronavirus brings into everyone’s lives.
–Window Display Contest: Businesses (restaurants, hotels, retails, service businesses, everyone!) are encouraged to create unique Pride-related displays visible from the street in the Greater Palm Springs Pride window design and display contest. Judging will take place via an online community poll Monday, November 2 through Monday, November 9, allowing for community members to view displays at their leisure without any crowds and maintaining social-distancing. Businesses are encouraged to post images of their displays on social media allowing those who are sheltering-in to participate in the judging and voting.
All participating (and non-participating are welcome, too) Palm Springs businesses are asked to make a donation to the prize package. Winners will be announced in three categories: restaurants, retail and other. Winner in each category will receive donated prizes.
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