boiMAGazine "Palm Springs Getaway"

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Palm Springs California

A PART OF HOLLYWOOD HISTORY

Palm Springs, CA has long been a favorite hot The guys came
spot for gay men and currently has the largest too. Cary Grant,
number of clothing option gay resorts in the Tab Hunter,
U.S. Not only that, Palm Springs host the Errol Flynn,
largest lesbian party in the U.S. "The Dinah" Rock Hudson,
and the largest gay men’s party in the U.S. and Liberace all
"Jeffrey Sanker’s White Party." But did you spent time with
know gays’ and lesbians’ have been attracted their gay pals
to Palm Springs stretching back to the 1910s? and lovers here.
Liberace’s home
According to David was rumored to
Wallace in his book be the site of numerous gay sex parties.
"A City Comes Out," it
was a lesbian named Rock Hudson also spent a great deal of time in
Florilla White who in Palm Springs, where he also threw gay parties
1913 purchased and and lived with two of his long-term lovers in a
ran one of the first virtually out way. Hudson also hung out with
lodgings in the area, former Palm Springs mayor and Hollywood
the Palm Springs actor Charles Farrell, who was also known
Hotel. White was to be bisexual/gay and owned the famously
the resident medical star-studded Racquet Club hotel. Another
doctor for Palm famous local hotel, the Parker Palm Springs,
Springs for many inhabits the site of the former Givenchy Hotel
years, and cohabitated with art collector Rose and Spa Resort, opened by gay TV host and
Dougan in the 1940s. They were a relatively entrepreneur Merv Griffin.
out couple for the times, and Dr. White was Nowadays, Hollywood personalities continue
also good friends with bisexual silent screen to frequent Palm Springs and it has become a
heartthrob Rudolf Valentino, whose most popular location for star weddings. Longtime
famous film The Sheik was partially filmed resident and gay crooner Barry Manilow has a
near Palm Springs. house in Palm Springs, as does his pal Suzanne
The Hollywood zenith in Palm Springs Somers. Let’s hope the new generation of out
occurred during the studio system of the LGBT Hollywood stars will continue to leave
1930s to 1950s, when stars were heavily such an interesting desert legacy.
controlled, and most contracts stipulated that
actors could not travel more than 200 miles
from Los Angeles during film production.
Mellow Palm Springs became the nearby
getaway for celebrities. It was a place devoid
of paparazzi and studio handlers, and desert
homes were usually surrounded by high
walls, allowing anything to go on within the
stars’ private compounds.
Rumored bisexual/lesbian stars like Greta
Garbo, Joan Crawford, Claudette Colbert,
Marlene Dietrich, and Gloria Swanson all
spent time Palm Springs. Colbert owned an
exclusive jewelry shop in downtown in the
1950s and would often personally wait on
customers. Swanson was a said to frequent
the Desert Knight, the town’s first lesbian
hotel.

For more information about Palm Springs, go to www.VisitPalmSprings.com



boiMAG

Palm Springs
IN THE BUFF

By David Kenniston pool and hot tub, and a perfectly seedy
Visiting Gay Palm Springs is a good idea playroom, with sling, couch, glory hole
in any season. And there are so many stalls, and a sex bench.
options on where to stay. Here are some of
our favorites, but beware, they honor the Century
clothing optional Palm Springs tradition.
598 Grenfall Road (760) 323-9966
All Worlds & All Worlds Annex Another 1950s original transformed into
immaculate gay vacationland (first in the
(formerly INN Exile) 1970s and later, thoroughly, in 2004), Century
526 S. Warm Sands Drive (760) 323-7505 is among the most exclusive of boutique
All Worlds is easily the premier gay adult resorts, with only three suites, but the views
resort in the Palm Springs area, and it are unbeatable.
draws crowds accordingly. Situated at
the gateway to the cruisy Warm Sands Desert Paradise
neighborhood, All Worlds is more LA
bathhouse than San Francisco sex club, 615 Warm Sands Dr. (760)320-5650
but its real success is in straddling the Classy, Romantic, Fun, a Little Naughty,
two - so to speak - in true Palm Springs Clean and Consistent. These are the
fashion. And with the recent acquisition of standards guests have come to expect
the former Inn Exile across the street (now giving an 80% return clientele from around
called All Worlds Annex), there’s that much the world. All king beds, central air, USB
more space to cruise and meet fun guys, Dock in room, Wi-Fi, Expanded Continental
since overnight guests get access to both breakfast, off street parking, free adult
properties. channels and no additional fees, including
no resort fee.
CCBC 68-300 Gay Resort Drive,
El Mirasol Villas
Cathedral City (760) 324-1350
CCBC bills itself as the largest clothing- 525 S Warm Sands Drive (760) 327-5913
optional gay men’s resort in the USA, and Not to be confused with El Mirasol Mexican
indeed there is plenty of space to roam Restaurant a half mile down the road, this
across its 3.5 acres, tucked discreetly unassuming gem flanks the entrance to
into the base of the Cathedral City Cove Warm Sands across from All Worlds, though
neighborhood. CCBC stands for Cathedral the two could hardly be more different. The
City Boys Club, but while adults of all ages elegant grounds were built in the 1940s
are present and welcome, its embrace of by reclusive oddball Howard Hughes, and
the wilder side — the resort plays host to feature meandering garden paths and a
fetish weekends throughout the year, and eucalyptus steam room.
the monthly CumUnion sex party — tends
to draw a clientele that’s more men than Escape
boys.
641 E San Lorenzo Road (760) 325-5269
Canyon Club Nestled just south of the Wash separating
Warm Sands from South Palm Springs,
960 N Palm Canyon Drive (760) 778-8042 Escape Palm Springs offers a particularly
Located on the north end of town they relaxing vibe, away from the jitter and crush
feature beautiful rooms, a lounge, a of the party circuit. The serene 1950s villa
sprawling grassy garden with classical features a 15-man hot tub and 24-hour
sculptures and relaxing greenery, a giant climate-controlled pool.

(continued on a following page)

boiMAG



Palm Springs Triangle Inn

IN THE BUFF (continued) 555 E San Lorenzo Road (800) 732-7555
At this boutique clothing optional resort
Inndulge a block off the main drag, the owner-
managers live on site and provide hearty
601 S Grenfall Road (760) 327-1408 pool-side breakfast each morning and
The lap of luxury is to be found even mixers in the afternoon. Lush tropical
deeper into Warm Sands, where Inndulge gardens, misting system and refreshing
stands among the area’s glamorous and water features surround eight well
appropriately named centerpiece. Not for furnished suites and a four-bedroom, two-
the quiet-seeking introvert, this is a proudly bath house with private pool for group
social resort, whose saltwater pool parties reservations.
and Thursday pizza nights tend to draw a
lively, trendier crowd. Vista Grande

Santiago 574 S Warm Sands Drive (760) 322-2404
Half a block further into Warm Sands lies
650 E San Lorenzo Road (760) 322-1300 this intensely lush tropical hideaway, cozy
Recent renovations have elevated this and inward-looking, with the thematic
chic hidden treasure from charming to design of an MGM movie set or Disney
stunning, with intensely modern color and theme park and lighting that will flatter
line dominating the look and immensely the complexion of even the palest-skinned
affable staff and fellow guests providing first time nudist.
the entertainment in motion.

boiMAG 11

Palm Springs sizzles with Events

By David Kenniston Ross Mathews (Hollywood Today Live,
Palm Springs isn’t just a gay hot RuPaul’s Drag Race), aka “Ross the
spot in the winter. In fact, the Intern” from The Tonight Show with Jay
desert is host to some of the most Leno.
beloved and well attended gay Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend
gatherings and events in the world March 28-April 1, 2018
throughout the calendar year. Here First produced in 1991 by Mariah
are some of the highlights. Hanson and named after the singer and
International Bear Convergence women’s golf benefactor (Shore wasn’t
February 8-12, 2018 gay, but the festival coincides with
Celebrating its fifth anniversary the LPGA Tour, which she founded),
in 2018, this four-day gathering “The Dinah” is by many counts the
is “the premier winter event for largest lesbian event in the world. The
bears and their admirers.” Held weekend gathering and music festival
at the new Hard Rock Hotel in draws crowds of 20,000+, and has
Downtown Palm Springs, the developed a reputation for divining
weekend features DJs by the pool future music superstars in its performer
during the day and energetic dance lineup, including Katy Perry, Lady
parties at night for “bears, muscle Gaga, Kesha, Tegan and Sara, and
bears, cubs, chasers, chubs and early “get” The Pussycat Dolls. Event
admirers.” The 2018 celebration and performance schedules for the
will feature a performance by upcoming year are to be announced in
Martha Wash, and proceeds benefit January.
AIDS Assistance Program / Food Cathedral City LGBT Days
Samaritans Palm Springs. March 30-April 1, 2018
Steve Chase California’s first Pride event of the year
Humanitarian Awards lights up this next-door neighbor to
February 10, 2018 Palm Springs just as spring comes to
This mid-winter gala celebrates the desert. Featuring live performances
24 years raising funds for direct by local and celebrity guests, a Battle
client services at Desert AIDS of the Bars competition, variety shows,
Project, the Coachella Valley’s rainbow RV camping, pool and foam
comprehensive, low- to no- parties, Leather Fetish Ball, and the
cost health care center for those “LGBT Days Bed Race,” this yearly
living with HIV/AIDS. Featuring event on the Civic Center Plaza gets the
high fashion red carpet arrivals, Pride season off to a great start.
dinner, and performances by En Jeffrey Sanker Presents
Vogue and Thelma Houston, this White Party Palm Springs
year’s gala, at the Palm Springs April 27-30, 2018
Convention Center, is hosted by In certain circles, at least, Palm Springs
longtime friend of Palm Springs might be best known as the host locale
of this massive dance party, attracting
12 boiMAG
(Continued on following pages)

boiMAG 13



an eye-popping 30,000 beautiful films. Exact dates for the 11th annual
people from all over the world. Festival, in 2018, have not yet been
Promoter Jeffrey Sanker’s flagship announced, but the event generally
circuit party features pool days in the occurs in the last two weekends in
sunlight at venues like the home base September.
Renaissance Palm Springs hotel, Palm Springs Leather Pride
enormous dance parties like the October 25-28, 2018
Sunday T-Dance under the big top, Traditionally held the weekend
choreographed performances and before Palm Springs Pride, this event,
exhibitions, a giant ferris wheel, and organized by the Palm Springs Leather
grand fireworks display timed along Order of the Desert, centers around
to the music. Events aren’t cheap the Mr. Palm Springs Leather Contest
(tickets to each run $70-$400) but at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The
with all those hot bodies and great celebration, held for over two decades,
music, who’s to say it isn’t worth also features an outdoor cruise party
every cent? and vendor market, clothing optional
Blatino Oasis pool parties, formal leather dinner,
May 4-6, 2018 dances, cocktail party, an indoor
Citing Palm Springs as a place BDSM play party, and workshops and
“safer than most American and forums on everything from working
International destinations,” Blatino in porn to writing erotic fiction. A
Oasis is a yearly gathering for gay silent auction the night of the contest
and bisexual men of color. Started helps benefit local programs like AIDS
in 2007 and centered around the Assistance, Desert AIDS Project,
clothing optional resort CCBC, and the Desert Women for Equality
the retreat attracts over a thousand Mammogram Program.
participants each year. Events Greater Palm Springs
include a welcome reception, LGBT Pride 2018
dance and pool parties, an awards November 1-4, 2018
and comedy brunch, and “erotic Downtown Palm Springs is the setting
afterhours” at the cruisy CCBC for a vibrant, late-season, pedestrian
resort. friendly Pride Festival unique to
Cinema Diverse Southern California. Featuring local
September 20-23 or end of and celebrity performers on three big
September stages, a street fair, vendors, beverage
Presented by the Palm Springs gardens, and the beloved Palm Springs
Cultural Center, the Cinema Diverse Pride Parade, the Pride season wraps
Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival up in mid-autumn right near where it
celebrates LGBTQ filmmaking and began in the spring. Other activities
those who create it with a week include the Dyke March, Arenas
of screenings at Palm Springs’ Road Block Party, a Youth Zone and
historic Camelot Theatres, with a Children’s Headquarters, Pride Honors
Best of Fest screening the following Awards, and a 5K Run and Walk.
weekend at Mary Pickford theatre in
Cathedral City. Submissions include boiMAG 15
documentaries, narrative and short













22 boiMAG





In The Know... on the go...

Christmas Queens Add Sparkle Barney The Elf

The queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race are After Santa Claus retires, his wicked son
spreading cheers and queers throughout begins a not-so-jolly reign as the new head of
the world this holiday season in their Christmas. The North Pole begins to crumble
hilarious, new comedy musical show, under his bigoted rule, and Barney the Elf is
Christmas Queens. Michelle Visage will host forced to leave his home for being different
with performances by some of the jolliest from the others. Soon he embarks on a fabulous
queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race. journey of self-discovery (or is it elf-discovery?)
“No one brings the cheer and merriment like that lands him in one of Chicago’s hottest drag
these queens,” explains producer Brandon bars. But can he truly leave Christmas behind
Voss. “Like Santa, they have been working for a new life in the big city? Performances
all year in order to bring fierce new holiday will play thru December 30 at Other Theatre’s
looks, never-before-seen theatrics and over resident home, The Greenhouse Theater Center,
the top production numbers that put a 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park
unique spin on many of the world’s favorite neighborhood. Tickets are available at www.
holiday carols. theothertheatrecompany.com, in person at the
Tickets for Thursday, December 21 at Greenhouse Theater box office or by calling
Chicago’s Metro Theater are available at (773) 404-7336.
www.ChristmasQueens.net.
Let's Go To The Market!
A Free App (as in appetizer)
Chicagoans seeking inspiration for this year’s
Mention “BOI” and receive FREE Chicken holiday season have all of their holiday
Wings or Mozzarella Log appetizer with decorating, party planning, fashion and
purchase of an entrée at Venicci Restaurant entertaining questions answered by the expert
at 3342 N. Halsted Street. sellers, makers and entertaining powerhouses
at the Annual Randolph Street Holiday Markets.
Christmas Tree on a Stick on December 16 & 17, 2017.
The Randolph Street Market is the perfect one
Try Eli’s Dippers – frozen cheesecake dipped stop shop for all holiday needs, including a
in Chocolate for the holidays. Go to www. mix of antique, vintage and modern goods
shop.elicheesecake.com encompassing home décor, housewares,
jewelry, men’s toys and accessories, art, mink
Rudolph The Red-Hosed Reindeer  stoles, gourmet chocolate gift boxes, and
custom-made gifts. Guests can make this
Chicago’s favorite cross-dressing reindeer season as unique as the selection of wares you’ll
is back and he’s 20 years old! Rudolph The find from 125+ vendors.
Red-Hosed Reindeer had its first reading in WHAT: Randolph Street Holiday Markets
1996 and has evolved into one of Chicago’s WHEN: Dec. 16 & 17, 10am-5pm on both days
most popular anti-holiday, holiday shows. WHERE: Beaux Arts Plumber’s Hall, 1340 W.
Join Rudolph and all of his misfit friends Washington Boulevard, Chicago
as they struggle with fitting in and being FREE PARKING in huge on-site parking lot only
‘normal’ in an increasingly abnormal world. steps away from entrance. (first come, first served).
Playwright David Cerda always adjusts PRICE:
the show to fit the current social climate. $8 tickets are available in advance tickets or $10
Performance will play through December   
30, 2017 at Mary’s Attic. Note: there will not MORE INFO: Call (312) 666-1200 or go to their
be performances on Sunday, December website at www.randolphstreetmarket.com
24 (Christmas Eve); there will be an added
performance on Wednesday, December 20 boiMAG 25
at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at www.
handbagproductions.org (through Brown
Paper Tickets) or by calling (800) 838-3006.