Point B: Palm Springs

A Rainbow Full of Gays

No two shades of the rainbow are the same. Those who encompass the LGBTQ community are as nuanced and varied as the spectrum of visible light that feels so many with pride. They come in all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, experiences, socioeconomic classes, races, and religious beliefs. Standing on a corner in Palm Springs and bouncing from bar to bar, this becomes both evident and self-evident. In the friends surrounding me and those we meet, I find myself filled with my own version of pride. These are my people and I’ve denied too many of them for too long.

Sunnylands Center and Gardens

Not far from Palm Springs in Rancho Mirage, sits Sunnylands Center and Gardens. Needing a break from the hustle and bustle of the scene, I escaped to this desert oasis to walk underneath the trees, among the cactus, and through gardens demanding to be photographed. As I searched out perfect angles and just the right amount of sunlight, I found the peace and calm that drew me here. Walking back to the parking lot, the hour or so spent here was like a breath of fresh air. Refreshed, I returned to Palm Springs ready to take on the night.

Bootlegger Tiki

Bootlegger Tiki is a masterclass in the art of the cocktail. Scanning through the seasonal menu, the options and concoctions seem boundless. In the heat…