May 5–7, 2023

“It’s … with great hope that I declare Covid-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said today during a news conference from Geneva.

While the emergency phase is over, COVID is here to stay as a disease. The WHO’s declaration comes just days before the U.S. public health emergency will expire on May 11.

We in the LGBTQ+ community have learned to live with AIDS, Monkeypox and other maladies. So COVID joins the list. I was in Purple Room this week and their staff still wear masks – by choice and by consensus. That has keep them healthy this season, and is certainly still advisable for those in contact with the public on a regular basis. But those of us who are “the public” rarely think about wearing a mask these days according to statistics.

The biggest threat to our community is, unfortunately, the spread of the disease of misinformation and disinformation. That’s been on display as the wave of anti-trans and anti-drag legislation has whipped many into a frenzy. It’s impacted Anheuser-Busch InBev for their use of Dylan Mulvaney as an influencer. Good news is that A-B will continue its support of LGBT rights organizations, said the company’s chief executive, Michel Doukeris.

Brad Fuhr, your Gay Desert Guide & KGAY 106.5 Palm Springs host

#ILoveGayPalmSprings
#ILoveGayCatCity
#ShopLocal
#FindYourOasis
#SayKGAY

We’re keeping you updated on the weekend’s Top Events: White Party Warm-Up Sunday Funday, Palm Springs Hot Rodeo, Cinco de Mayo with Boozehounds and more, A Cabello sing A Little Bach/A Lotta Bacharach, Billy Porter’s Black Mona Lisa Tour in LA, Drag Isn’t Dangerous Telethon, Desert Stonewall Democrats Spring Picnic, Equality California Spring Soirée, Superbloom Art Exhibition, 70 MM Film Festival, Gregory Douglass, ‘Big Night’ at Sunnylands…and much more!