Out with Dr. Bill: Palm Springs Pride and a Southwest Soujourn

The parade is the heart of the weekend, a vibrant celebration that showcases the diversity, resilience, and joy of the LGBTQ+ community. Floats from national brands, local businesses, and community organizations filled the streets, accompanied by high-energy dance routines and creatively themed displays. Spectators lined Palm Canyon Drive, waving rainbow flags and cheering on the marchers.
The parade is surprisingly short and fast-paced; blink, and you might miss it! On the morning of the event, I found myself leaning against the Starbucks float (which, notably, didn't offer free coffee), swapping out my Birkenstocks for sneakers to prepare for the march. As I tied my laces, an unexpected delight rolled my way: Miss Richfield 1981, the beloved beauty queen of Richfield, Minnesota, pedaled up on her oversized tricycle to say hello. I had to do a double take–after all, I'd always thought she had permanent residency in Provincetown.

Miss Richfield's creator, Russ King, has perfected her blend of Midwestern charm and zany humor, giving her a backstory as the self-proclaimed beauty queen of her Minneapolis suburb. She's a true Pride icon, and seeing her in Palm Springs reminded me of the countless times I've watched her shows, laughing so hard my sides hurt.

The parade itself was a whirlwind. About three-quarters of the way through, I spotted a group of friends who had staked out a prime spot on the sidelines with motorhomes, catered snacks, and plenty of libations. Feeling slightly dehydrated under my rainbow-covered ensemble, I made a quick decision to veer off the parade route and blend in with their gathering.

In true Pride spirit, they welcomed me with open arms–and a matching T-shirt they were all wearing. I swapped out my colorful gear for a shirt that proudly declared, My pronouns are He/Him/Daddy. With that wardrobe change, my parade experience officially came to an end. It wasn't the grand finale I'd planned, but it was exactly the kind of spontaneous connection that makes Pride so special.

While the parade was a highlight, the weekend offered so much more. We balanced the chaos with poolside relaxation at Mark and Brad's luxurious home, soaking up the sun and enjoying the breathtaking views of the San Jacinto Mountains. Sharing these peaceful moments with close friends, including Phil, who flew in from New York, made the weekend even more meaningful.