News
Greater Palm Springs Pride Announces Recipients of Annual Pride Honor Awards
PALM SPRINGS (CNS) – Greater Palm Springs Pride Tuesday announced six individuals and one organization who will be honored at the annual Pride Honor Awards next month.
The awards ceremony will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Hilton in Palm Springs in advance of Pride Week, which is set to be held in early November, according to Greater Palm Springs Pride CEO Ron deHarte.
“The awards ceremony promises to be a night of inspiration and celebration, bringing together LGBTQ+ activists, allies, and supporters from all walks of life,” deHarte said in a statement. “Recipients embody the spirit of Pride, and their work has created positive change.”
Spirit of Stonewall awards set to be presented at the ceremony are Organization of the Year to Brothers of the Desert, Lifetime Achievement to Donald Beck, Community Service to Miss Patsi, Volunteer of the Year to Beverly Sweigart, Pride to Jase Nagaia, and Friend of Pride to Greg and Dee Dee Barton.
Brothers of the Desert was established by a group of Black gay men in response to feelings of isolation and disconnection. The group’s mission is to nurture and support Black gay men and allies. The 75-member organization hosts several community events including an annual Wellness Summit and Brothers Got Talent along with events for Martin Luther King Day, Black History Month and Juneteenth.
Beck was one of eight supporters who took the first steps in establishing the AIDS support and educational organization Desert AIDS Project in an effort to create a place of emotional support.
Patsi is an illusion created by Thommy Kocan to raise funds for charity. She has won multiple royalty titles within Gay Rodeo Circuits and has raised $100,000 for local charities through “Dinner With Patsi” events at various restaurants.
Sweigart hosted her first charity fundraiser in 1984 for the family of a gay friend who died from AIDS and has since organized and hosted events to raise funds for animal shelters, senior centers, youth organizations, HIV/AIDS, and cancer-related organizations among others.
Nagaia is a fitness instructor who created the free low-impact cardio class “Endeavor with Jase” as he saw a need for an inclusive fitness environment. He fosters a fitness environment that empowers participants without hindrance of self-doubt or exclusion.
The Bartons opened a Palm Springs accounting firm in 2007 and have since made their community and philanthropic focus the LGBTQ community, women, children and education, and people experiencing homelessness. In the last five years they have been the top sponsor of the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. Dee Dee Barton has served as the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission chair and a board member for the Foundation for Palm Springs Unified School District.
“This is not a group that seeks attention or applause,” deHarte said. “They quietly serve, and we are grateful for the profound impact they have had and continue to have in our community.”
More information about the event can be found at pspride.org.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
By: Pristine Villarreal
September 26, 2023
Latest Instagram Posts
Cathedral City City Council votes to rename “LGBT Days” to “Pride Days”. The council approved the change in a 5-0 vote during its latest meeting, updating the official name of the city’s annual celebration. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see what this means to the Coachella Valley Community #CathedralCity #pride #CityCouncil #CoachellaValley #LocalNews
Discover the Coachella Valley with the Everything Palm Springs app. From iconic attractions and hidden gems to local restaurants, shops, entertainment and even filming locations, the map-based app is designed to help both visitors and locals find more of what the desert has to offer. Creator Lindsay Kinkle is also expanding the app with video tours and narrated guides, giving users another way to explore Palm Springs and the surrounding communities. Local businesses like Buena Matcha are also getting a chance to connect with new customers through the platform. As Lindsay says, there’s so much to do and enjoy here — you just have to know where to look. #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #EverythingPalmSprings #PalmSpringsApp #VisitPalmSprings DesertLife LocalBusiness CoachellaValleyBusiness NBCPalmSprings
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
What’s next for Palm Desert? Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address. Topics: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Public Safety • Community Programs • Palm Desert’s Future CTA: Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort
Former Silvercrest CEO, William Rodriguez is expected back in court today in connection with the deadly 2024 Cathedral City hit and run that killed a woman. The murder charge was dismissed, but Rodriguez still faces felony hit and run and suspended license charges.
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Murder suspect Vicky Kim has once again not been cleared to appear in court. Kim is accused of killing her husband at their Palm Desert condominium complex. Her arraignment has now been delayed three times. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we track the latest developments in this case. #VickyKim #PalmDesert #CoachellaValley #BreakingNews #CourtUpdate NBCPalmSprings
Palm Springs is mourning the loss of beloved entertainer James “Gypsy” Haake, who has died at 94. Haake began his entertainment career at just 19 years old as a Broadway chorus dancer. After retiring from the stage, he returned to performing at 82, becoming the host of Carnival Cabaret at Oscars in downtown Palm Springs. A longtime friend of our station, Haake was a familiar and beloved figure in the Palm Springs entertainment community — and his contributions were recognized with a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. His career spanned more than seven decades, proving that the spotlight never truly left him. ❤️ Rest in peace, James “Gypsy” Haake. Your legacy will live on in Palm Springs. #JamesGypsyHaake #PalmSprings #PalmSpringsWalkOfStars #CarnivalCabaret #PalmSpringsEntertainment #OscarsPalmSprings #PalmSpringsHistory
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Sterling Conley with the rushing TD, 2) Marcus Kennedy with the touchdown catch, 3) Cade Pinon with the big time sack, 4) Kingston Pellum with the pick-6, or 5) Caleb Hartwell with the saving throw #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball