Palm springs gay community

LGBTQ+ Travel

History

Palm Springs has elongated been a vibrant hub for LGBTQ+ culture, with a rich gay history dating back to the mid-20th century. Originally a retreat for Hollywood celebrities, the city became a welcoming oasis for queer men and lesbians searching refuge and community. During the 1950s and '60s, discreet gatherings and personal parties laid the groundwork for a more clear queer presence, which flourished in the decades that followed. By the 1980s and '90s, Palm Springs was home to numerous gay-owned businesses, resorts, and bars, earning it a reputation as a superior LGBTQ+ travel destination. Today, with openly LGBTQ+ town leadership and annual events like Palm Springs Celebration and The Dinah, the city continues to mark its legacy of inclusion and visibility.

Gay Resorts

Gay men’s resorts in Palm Springs are a cornerstone of the city’s LGBTQ+ scene, offering a unique fuse of relaxation, community, and celebration. These resorts cater specifically to gay travelers, providing a safe and welcoming space where guests can truly be themselves. Many feature clothing-optional areas, lush poolside settings, warm tubs, and social events that encourage con

Palm Springs Area People Resources

Pick an area to get all the resources the community provides:

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

ADVOCACY

My Kid Is Gay

www.MyKidIsGay.com

Helping families understand their LGBTQ kids.

 

The Trevor Project

Teen Suicide Hotline
866-4-U-Trevor
(866) 488-7386
www.thetrevorproject.org

The Trevor proposal is a national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among the LGBTQ youth.

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PALM SPRINGS

ADVOCACY

The LGBT People Center of the Desert

1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr.
3rd Floor
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-416-7790
www.thecenterps.org

Using our individual lived experiences and collective power, we struggle to nurture and support our community.

 

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAUS

Visit Palm Springs

2901 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
800-347-7746
www.VisitPalmSprings.com

Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for the City of Palm Springs.

 

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Palm Springs Pride

329 W Mariscal Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-416-8711
www.PSPride.org

We

Palm Springs Gay Neighborhood Guide 

With a history of acceptance for gay and gender nonconforming people, Palm Springs is one of the most accepted places in the USA for Diverse retirees. Not just known for its Pride celebration, which attracts over 100,000 visitors every November, the city is also a superb place to live. 

If you’re considering moving here, you’ll be right at abode with one of the country’s largest communities of Queer retirees. This desert refuge has everything from golf courses and hiking to restaurants and clubs!

Introducing Palm Springs 

Located in Colorado Desert’s Coachella Valley (yes, that Coachella), Palm Springs was home to the Cahuilla Native American tribe for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Many streets are named after prominent Cahuillans, including Andreas, Arenas, and Chino. After modifying hands between Spain and Mexico, this part of California joined the Merged States in 1848. 

In the 1900s, the city was a fashionable getaway resort thanks to the dry, hot climate. Its popularity grew in the 1920s and 30s when it became a refuge for Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, searching for privacy so they

Palm Springs: The Largest LGBTQ Collective in the Country

Laidback and resort casual, Palm Springs is the American epicenter of the LGBTQ community. Boasting over 325 days of sunshine and a 50% gay population, residents here sense truly at home. From charming village shops to unique artsy stores, wrapped up in old-Hollywood glamour, this desert town is far from sleepy.

Hollywood's Waiting Room for Heaven

That’s the city’s nickname due to the immense population of celebrities that inhabit in Palm Springs. Located within Coachella Valley (yes that renowned festival) the city is 107 miles east of L.A. Native Americans settled the area for thousands of years and many streets in the Palm Springs have Native American names.

The municipality became a booming resort in the 1900s when tourists arrived to treat health conditions with dry heat. Today, it is a sprawling desert empire where everyone and their mother are LGBTQ-friendly.

Quick Palm Spring Stats

  • Palm Springs has the highest per capita gay population in the country.
  • The city covers approximately 94 square miles.
  • There are more than 50,000 pools in the city.
  • Palm Springs is home to more than 100 golf courses