LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert

Palm Springs Leather Pride
2024-10-24 11:00 - 18:00 UTC | Hotel Zoso, 150 S Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 92262, United States
Pop-Up Displays/Booth:
Hotel Zoso, 2nd floor, 150 S Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs

Palm Springs Pride Festival
2024-11-02 - 2024-11-03 | Palm Springs, Downtown, Palm Springs, 92262, United States
Pop-Up Displays/Booth:
Palm Springs Pride Festival
Palm Canyon Drive

Presenting “Home Movies Out of the Closet: LGBTQ+, Hollywood, Palm Springs, and You” in Celebration of Pride Month.
2025-06-01 15:00 - 21:00 | PSCC, 2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, 92262, United States
The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert (Archives) is celebrating Pride Month by partnering with other local non-profits Deserted Films and the Palm Springs Cultural Center (PSCC)
Sunday, June 1, 2025, to present a day focused on LGBTQ home movies!
In the afternoon, the public is invited to bring their home movies and allow our home movie preservation experts to assess them and provide recommendations for storage and digitization.
This FREE opportunity will be offered from 3:00 – 5:30 PM in the lobby of the Palm Springs Cultural Center, first-come, first served.
From 6:30-8:00 PM the Archives and Deserted Films will screen family-friendly (13+), rarely and never-before-seen LGBTQ+ footage from our collections.

In collaboration with the UCLA Library Film & Television Archive (www.cinema.ucla.edu), we will also treat audiences to LGBTQ+ works from UCLA’s collection by Pat Rocco featuring Palm Springs and Los Angeles, as well as other home movies of Hollywood stars at home, at work, and at play!
Following the screening event there will be a Reception from 8 – 9 PM.
Ticket for both the screening and reception is $45 which includes one drink ticket. Proceeds to benefit the Archives, Deserted Films and The Palm Springs Cultural Center equally.
All events will be held at PSCC located at 2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262, with ample free parking available.
To buy tickets to the evening event or to donate if you are unable to attend, CLICK HERE
Sponsors

UNBRIDLED SPIRIT: CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF LEATHER IN PALM SPRINGS
2025-10-30 - 2025-11-02 | Hotel Zoso, 150 S Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 92262, United States
The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert is excited to present our major exhibition for this fall, UNBRIDLED SPIRIT: Celebrating 35 Years of Leather in Palm Springs. The exhibit will run from Thursday, October 30 through Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Hotel Zoso.
Curated by Mike Király, MPA, Adjunct Faculty, Social Sciences, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Vice President of the Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert, the exhibit will explore the significant impact of the leather community on the cultural and social landscape of the Coachella Valley over the past 35 years.
An often overlooked and sometimes hidden aspect of the general LGBT community, it is the goal of this exhibition to bring to the fore how the leather community has helped shape and often fight for gay liberation and rights locally.

PANEL DISCUSSION: Leather Women Celebrating Our Sexuality
2025-10-30 18:30 - 20:30 | Hotel Zoso, 150 S Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, 92262, United States
October 30, 2025, 6:30 p.m., Hotel Zoso.
In conjunction with the exhibit Unbridled Spirit, the Archives will present a FREE lecture featuring a panel of five women and a moderator discussing women’s sexuality and their role in the Leather community.
This program will be at the Hotel Zoso in the Palladium North room located on the lower level of the hotel. As part of CIRCA: Queer Histories Festival this program will also be LIVE STREAMED, to attend virtually, register at: circafestival.org.
Panelists for the program include Cindy Bookout, Ms. Oklahoma Leather 1993 & International Ms. Leather 1994; Shann Carr, Ms. Portland Leather Woman 1987 & International Ms. Leather 1988; Jessica Collins, Ms. Indulgence Spirit of Leather 2025; Sarge, Ms. San Diego 2014 & International Ms. Leather 2015; and Victoria Rendall, (DJ Mixie). It will be moderated by Lex Ortega, Board Member, LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert & Program Coordinator – Palm Springs, The LGBTQ+ Community Center of the Desert.
This program is underwritten by Diane McKenzie.

Tickled Pink: Cocktails at Villa Sierra–That Pink Door House- SOLD OUT
2026-02-18 16:30 - 20:00 | Villa Sierra–That Pink Door House, 1100 E Sierra Way, Palm Springs, 92264, United States
Wednesday, February 18 from 4:30-7 PM for a fundraising event during Modernism Week 2026:
Tickled Pink: Cocktails at Villa Sierra–That Pink Door House.
Every clink of a glass helps preserve community stories—A portion of the proceeds benefit the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert.
A house tour, a cocktail party, and a piece of Palm Springs history—an unforgettable experience awaits, all behind one very famous pink door!
