Why is palm springs so gay

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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 wouldn’t be “outed” as gay and lose their jobs.

Now, Palm Springs has the largest gay per capita population in the country and is a favorite place for gay retirees.

He went on to win an Academy Award for Best Director for My Fair Lady. This is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities and scores a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for its protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.

In 2018, the city elected its first all-LGBTQ+ city council, a landmark moment in LGBT history.

America’s Favorite Spot for Gay Retirees

As a welcoming town for Hollywood entertainers while under contract, it makes sense that many would retire here after leaving the spotlight.

By the 1970s, the gay retiree demographic exploded because it was cheaper to live here than in popular San Francisco or New York City.

The homes are predominantly single-family and some apartments, with an average price of $2.2 million and some properties up to $6 million.

Downtown Palm Springs is right next door, and you can get to the heart of downtown in about a 5-minute car drive. Most of the storefronts were vacant. Case in point? A small community of about 995 residents, Warm Sands is home to some LGBTQ+ staples.

White Party is an annual, 3-day-long gay circuit dance party that began in 1989. If you’re looking for a vibrant and lively area, this is a great place to live.

Moving to Downtown Palm Springs

This is a busy, bustling area with 1,013 residents who enjoy the walkability and proximity to amenities.

Start your retirement home search by checking out Pride Lending. In the 1920s and 1930s, affluent individuals seeking refuge from the bustling cities flocked to Palm Springs. The following year it moved to Palm Canyon Drive.

Today, Greater Palm Springs Pride is in November and welcomes over 100,000 attendees. Compared to the Castro District in San Francisco, the Arenas District is known as the place for fun all night long.

Downtown Palm Springs hosts an annual block party during Greater Palm Springs Pride, featuring drinks, dancing, and drag shows.

The City of Palm Springs recently declared itself a sanctuary for drag performers – a bold move that screams in response to drag bans as, “Not here, not ever.”

Between local government and police force, our city's local leadership is unapologetically progressive, prioritizing policies that protect residents and foster a sense of belonging.

The Heart of LGBTQ+ History and Culture

Palm Springs is steeped in LGBTQ+ history that’s as rich as its present culture.

His friends included gay actor William Haines, costume designer Orry-Kelly, Cary Grant, Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, and gay songwriter Cole Porter. This foundation paved the way for Palm Springs to become a celebrated LGBTQ+ destination later, with more openly gay spaces emerging after World War II and well into the 1950s and 1960s.

Liberace

Liberace, the flamboyant and talented pianist, became synonymous with Palm Springs’ gay heyday.

In addition, a small group of friends simply looking out for each other officially formed the Desert AIDS Project in 1984. The Swedish actress, known for her fierce independence and mysterious persona, was one of the first Hollywood icons to establish a presence in Palm Springs during the 1930s. With threats like Project 2025 looming and human rights hanging in the balance, finding a sanctuary isn’t just a luxury – it’s a necessity.

Palm Springs shines as a beacon of hope now more than ever.

It sold out.

Mariah wants The Dinah goers to feel safe and inclusive, so she now books entire hotels so that they are 100% lesbian-occupied. It was inspired by Liberace and Elvis Presley, who came to Palm Springs to clink martinis around shimmering swimming pools, back when the city was known as Tinseltown’s hedonistic playground…”

[Read the full article at nationalgeographic.com]

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How Palm Springs Became the Safest LGBTQ+ Place in America

Here’s why gay men and the broader LGBTQ+ community are packing their bags for Palm Springs faster than they can say, “Get me the F**K out of here!”

A Safe Haven in Tumultuous Times

It’s no secret that political turbulence has left many LGBTQ+ individuals questioning their safety.

Every November, a mixed crowd of over 100,000 people gather to remember the Stonewall Riots with a parade, festival, and hundreds of vendors. His courage and subsequent media coverage led to increased funding and support for AIDS-related causes, including the Desert AIDS Project.

DAP Health continues to provide critical services to the community and has grown into one of the largest and most respected HIV/AIDS organizations in the U.S.

Cary Grant

In 1954, Cary Grant and his third wife, Betsy Drake, purchased a 6-bedroom home known as Las Palomas in the Movie Colony.

The LGBTQ community makes up about 50% of the retirees who call this desert oasis home.

While the city is known for its large LGBTQ cohort, there is also significant racial and ethnic diversity, too. Then, in 1932, he met Randolph Scott on the set at Paramount. This has led to an explosion in the arts, design, fine dining, and high-end hotels that appeal to young, hip urbanites.

High walls and ficus hedges still sequester many homes and resorts in Palm Springs, but gay people are not hidden anymore.