Join LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert for a virtual stroll down the iconic Walk of Stars and explore the rich history and allure of this historic Palm Springs landmark, focusing on some of the recently identified LGBT Stars.
With over 450 stars embedded in downtown Palm Springs, the picturesque pathway of the city’s Walk of the Stars pays homage to an eclectic mix of luminaries, from Hollywood icons to philanthropists, authors, local politicians and more. The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert worked to identify over 50 of these Stars as LGBT. Each of these Stars serves as a lasting testament to the remarkable talent and significant contributions that these individuals made to the city and to the LGBTQ community in the desert.
During this virtual program, the organization will share a collection of these stars’ stories, along with how the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert partnered with the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, which manages this program, to develop an LGBTQ Category in their app to be used moving forward. Learn more about the organization, founded in 2019, and why it’s important to take on projects like this for our community.
“Out on the Walk: Celebrating LGBT Honorees on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars” will take place online via Zoom on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 5:30-7 p.m. PT.
This program is suitable for all ages.
Participants
Julie Warren has had a 25-year career in Marketing, Public Relations and Communications, working at Microsoft Corporation, Nordstrom Inc., and several non-profits. Moving from Washington to California for the sun, she took a Public Relations position at the Palm Springs Public Library for the City of Palm Springs and has continued in that role as it has evolved. She has written articles and columns for several local publications, served on various boards, and volunteered as a baby cuddler in the NICU department at Desert Regional Hospital. She is the co-founder of the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert.
Like thousands before him, David Gray began vacationing in Palm Springs during the 1980s, and moved full-time in 2003. Giving back to the community has always been important, and since moving to Palm Springs he served for 8 years as a Trustee of the Palm Springs Public Library, as well as working for the Palm Springs International Film Festival for more than a decade. Feeling that the history of the local LGBTQ+ community was being lost, he, along with Julie Warren, co-founded the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert in 2019 with the support of several other community leaders.
This program is organized by the LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2024, presented by One Institute.
The LGBTQ+ History & Archives of the Desert is a community-based archive that documents, collects, preserves, and makes accessible the history of LGBTQ individuals, businesses, organizations and events centered in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.