LA Pride: Dyke Day LA

Dyke Day LA celebrated it’s 3rd year in 2010.  The fabulous ladies of the Miracle Whips started throwing this event to pride community back to LA Pride.  Radically different from all the other pride festivities this one take the cake for me as being the most authentic celebration of pride.  This event brings together marginalized subcultures in the LGBT scene to get away from the overly corporate events in WeHo.  Bands, DJs, a large lawn for dogs and kids to run around add up to one of the best days for enjoying the sun and new and old friends. 

Organizer Kat Laukat and DJ’s Triple X and Miss Kim

Can’t beat an event where you can openly bring your own drinks.

You can’t hate a view like this.

Sarah and her dog Flossy can be proud together!

Vanessa of XKiller/Sew Gay Clothing and artist Melanie Vesey soaking in the last bits of sunshine.

Pegah and Laila have the guns to get through pride weekend.

Miracle Whips lovelies cleaning up at the end of the day.

Making plans for the rest of the night.

Ultimate Post-Breakup Getaway :Palm Springs

So the time comes every so often when we all must brave the treacherous journey of singledom post-breakup.  No matter how big or small our towns or cities are, the LGBT community is small.  Word travels quickly; alliances are formed and sides taken leaving both of the break-upees in an awkward situation.  Some of us retreat to our bedrooms and grieve the loss aided by netflix on demand and either over-eating or not eating at all.  There are others who go nuts and start living life like they’re 21 again.  They hit the bars every night, rebound til they drop and then start to process the ramifications of being single again in a sea of maybe the most incestuous community ever.  C’mon, its just a matter of time before you’re dating/sleeping with or pursuing someone that is a friend or a friend of a friend or an ex’s ex.  Faced with this dilemma, my advice is as follows : Get out of town for a weekend alone or with a close friend or family member.  Living in LA I suggest Palm Springs.  Only 120 miles outside of LA makes it the perfect distance to get away for a weekend.  It’s gay friendly, has small town charm, gorgeous views and a huge variety in day and night activities.  You can shop vintage stores and score some amazing treasures (um, Elvis’s couch?) and dine al fresco or you can enjoy the abundance of outdoor destinations like the Salton Sea and Joshua Tree.

First things first, pick the right hotel. You can go with a low budget hotel or splurge on something a little more expensive.  Just make sure the hotel has a/c and a pool and you should be good.  I suggest the http://www.acehotel.com/palmsprings , a great boutique hotel that caters to the young and artistic crowd. It’s on the grounds of a mid-century modern motel and retains the magic of old Palm Springs without being too kitschy.  There’s a full service spa where you can get one of the most amazing massages in the desert.  The pool is laid back and they have DJ’s on Sundays.

There’s also the Viceroy which stands apart as an outstanding resort and spa in the desert.  You can rent out a private villa for extra sanctuary or opt for a variety of room types all convenient to enjoy one of the three pools.  They have spa amenities and gourmet dining available.  They offer bikes to guests which can cut down on your time in cars (which relieves stress in it of itself) and get some exercise to get those endorphins going.

Dining

Whatever your fancy, you’ll find it in the desert.

Just a few “don’t miss spots”

1. http://www.kofficoffee.com -Great way to start the day with an amazing cup of coffee and a light breakfast.
2. Sherman’s Deli -Great for breakfast lunch or dinner.  The Kosher-Style family restaurants has an amazing selection. 
3. http://www.azultapaslounge.com/ -Great ambiance both indoor and on the patio for lunch, dinner or happy hour. 
4. http://www.lascasuelas.com/ Historic Mexican restaurant with adjacent tequila bar.  Fill up on delicious homemade plates and start your night out right tasting from the Tequila Hall of Fame

What to Do

1. Swim. Lounge. Swim.  Repeat.
2. Take a leisurely bike ride and enjoy the stunning mountains.  It’s clear most of the year (though chilly in the winter) so get out and enjoy the sunshine!
3. Shop at some of the amazing vintage, consignment and antique stores and score a hot new piece to wear when you re-enter society.
4. Explore the Palm Spring Art Museum and engage your mind and soul as you contemplate visual and performative art. 
5. Take the Celebrity Tour of stars homes.  You’ll take a bus with an engaging driver/tour guide who knows the desert cities history and provides private anecdotes about the celebrities of yesteryear who used the desert as a frequent getaway.  There’s some amazing architecture and design and the guides personality will have you cracking up and losing yourself in the magic of the desert.
6. Visit the Desert Hot Springs and enjoy a great soak in the natural sulfur springs.  You can relax and rejuvenate and check out cuties in skimpy clothing.
7. Hit up the bars.  There’s an abundance of gay and gay friendly places that cater to all scenes.  For a list of hot-spots check out http://gay-palm-springs.info/nightlifeinpalmsprings.htm

What to bring:

1. Sunscreen.  Even if you don’t burn you need to protect that beautiful skin!
2. Lightweight clothes (think linen) but it does cool down at night so a light windbreaker is perfect unless you’re going in the middle of the winter and then denim should suffice.
3. Cash for cabs.
4. Sunglasses (Think classic Ray-Bans)
5. Golf Clubs or Tennis Rackets if that’s your jam.

No matter what you decide to do in Palm Springs the area in all it’s glory and rest your mind, body and soul before you head back to the real world.  And remember, one things happens today, another thing happens tomorrow. 

Gay Guru

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