‘Say Gay’ is Palm Springs Pride Theme – Uken Report

‘Say Gay is a theme, it’s a political statement, it’s a call to action.’ — Ron deHarte

PALM SPRINGS — Palm Springs Pride organizers announced the 2022 theme ‘Say Gay’ as a challenge to fight extremism at the ballot box this November. A traditional slate of in-person Pride events is scheduled for the 36th annual LGBTQ celebration on November 4 – 6. The Pride parade and festival featuring multiple stages of live entertainment and an exhibitor marketplace will return to downtown Palm Springs.

Pride Week, presented by the City of Palm Springs, is the largest annual event in Palm Springs. It’s also the largest gathering of LGBTQ people in the Coachella Valley. In 2021, Pride Week attracted more than 160,000 attendees and generated a significant $30 million economic impact for area hotels, shops, restaurants, and other local businesses. Favorite bars and local businesses will be packed and spilling out onto the streets for the biggest LGBTQ street party in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Pride president and CEO Ron deHarte said, “Say Gay is a theme, it’s a political statement, it’s a call to action. Mobilize your friends, family, neighbors, and workplace to vote for politicians that stand up and fight for LGBTQ rights. Say Gay No to politicians taking away control of our bodies and silencing teachers from recognizing the existence of LGBTQ+ people to their students.”

“In facing adversity and staring directly at the threats to our rights, we gather in protest and celebration. In doing so, we knock on the door of justice and fight for our freedom,” added deHarte. who is also a candidate for Palm Springs City Council in the Nov. 8 election.

A Festival highlight is the Electric Revolution Live (ERL), showcasing an inclusive future of mobility, sustainability, and green energy.  Connecting the LGBTQ+ communities with smart and sustainable mobility options, ERL brings a full range of electric vehicles to Palm Springs Pride, from scooters and bikes to cars and trucks, as well as exciting demonstrations and fun races on the streets near Palm Canyon Drive.  Electric Revolution Live is presented in partnership with The Motor/Cycle Arts Foundation, Dash Radio, and Palm Springs Pride. Plus, Dash’s Metaverse Studio, DXSH, is creating a parallel virtual Pride experience for fans worldwide, a music and motorsports virtual experience simultaneous with real-life Pride events for the first time.

The Arenas District remains the Gateway to Pride and the pedestrian-only social center of LGBTQ-friendly bars, restaurants, and shopping. The Recovery Oasis, a place for sobriety fun, and the DAP Health Wellness Pavilion are new to the festival. Another new featured location is the QueerWorks TransPower Lounge, a unique space that will provide a safe and affirming environment within the festival for transgender, non-binary and intersex individuals.

Festival features include a Youth Zone presented by US Bank, Children’s Garden presented by Nissan, The Art of Pride presented by Eisenhower Health, 200 back-to-back exhibitors, community groups, and food and beverage stations. There’s something for everyone in Palm Springs.

Details for Pride Week activities can be found online by clicking here.

ABOUT THE 2022 PALM SPRINGS PRIDE FESTIVAL POSTER

Palm Springs resident Richard Vaughn, Advertising Art Director, Palm Springs Life Magazine, created this year’s Palm Springs Pride Poster. “For the 2022 Greater Palm Springs Pride poster, I was inspired by Robert Indiana’s iconic “Love” image, which stacks the L and O atop the V and E to create a graphic emphasizing the message “love.” Similarly, this year’s Pride theme, “SAY GAY,” packs a powerful and political message for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Richard added, “When I visualized the theme, I saw bold letters overlapping, creating positive and negative shapes, which allowed me to use Gilbert Baker’s original 1978 Pride flag colors. I added a dialog bubble tail to express the power of speech. I love the unabashed way the poster conveys its message.”

“We shared the theme Say Gay with Richard, seeking a bold design to elevate the importance of two words.  Simple but serious words intended to set the mood for Pride in Palm Springs” said Ron deHarte, president and CEO of Palm Springs Pride. “We had a good feeling that Richard would create a great design because he designed the popular cover of the 2021 Palm Springs Pride Magazine.”

ABOUT GREATER PALM SPRINGS PRIDE

Greater Palm Springs Pride is a nonprofit community enhancement organization founded to promote public education and awareness of individual rights and civil liberties of the LGBTQ community. Palm Springs Pride has been a tireless advocate for equality and diversity since the first Coachella Valley Pride event in 1986.

For more information about Greater Palm Springs Pride, click here.