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 UTC | 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!

FELLOW TRAVELERS - AN OPERA BY GREGORY SPEARS WITH LIBRETTO BY GREG PIERCE
2026-03-17 19:00 - 2026-03-18 19:00 | Dezart Playhouse, 605 S Riverside Dr, Palm Springs, 92264, United States
Followed by a panel discussion with the cast, creative team, and David Gray,
Co-Founder & Co-Director of the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert.
Tuesday & Wednesday, March 17 & 18, 2025, 7 pm
Dezart Playhouse, 605 S Riverside Dr, Palm Springs
Set against the backdrop of the Lavender Scare in the 1950’s, FELLOW TRAVELERS tells the story of two young men employed by the Federal government who begin a romantic relationship under the vengeful eye of McCarthyism. Eventually, they are forced to make impossible choices in a story that ends with a stunning act of betrayal.
This story was the basis for the 2023 CBS/Paramount mini-series starring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey.
The evening’s program, a presentation of the Palm Springs Opera Guild, delivers the most powerful and tender scenes from the opera based on the best-selling 2007 novel by Thomas Mallon.
For tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35982/production/1265213

Stories from the Archives: Queer History of the Desert
2026-03-29 14:30 - 15:15 | Festival Theaters, 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, 92264, United States
To be presented during the Palm Springs BookFest FREE Sunday Community Day
Presented by the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert, this special program brings the past to life through three powerful stories drawn from the Archives. Discover the people, places, and moments that shaped LGBTQ+ life in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, and learn how community-based archiving keeps these histories alive, accessible, and proudly ours for generations to come.
For more information about the Festival and to obtain tickets: https://www.weareoutspoken.org/ps-book-fest-2026
Sunday, March 29 | 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Festival Theaters, 789 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs
