March 12 Daily Briefing: Service for past principal, call for hate crime reporting help, fair housing on agenda, and more

Welcome to Wednesday, everyone, where we are remembering Ricky Wright, the principal of Palm Springs High School for over a decade, who passed away earlier this month at 75. Wright was a principled and resolute leader who prioritized fairness, accountability, and community involvement, using a relationship-driven approach to unite people and address challenges head-on. A celebration of his life is planned for this Saturday, starting at 1 p.m., in the PSHS theater. A funeral service and burial are scheduled for Monday in Bakersfield.

🎶 Setting the mood: “Dance Moves” By Franc Moody

LEADING OFF

LGBTQ leaders call for better hate incident reporting systems

Representatives from two prominent LGBTQ organizations urged the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission this week to advocate for the creation of improved reporting systems for hate incidents that don’t require police involvement, citing rising discrimination against their community.

Driving the news: Lex Ortega from the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and Thomi Clinton from the Transgender Health and Wellness Center presented their cases during the Commission’s Monday meeting, describing multiple local incidents of verbal harassment and discrimination.

• They shared examples including a gay Asian couple called slurs near a preschool and a gay man verbally attacked at a gas station.

By the numbers: The presentations noted that in 2023, the ACLU tracked over 533 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in over 38 states and U.S. territories, with 456 already proposed in the current legislative session.

• Within the transgender community specifically, Clinton reported that 70% have contemplated suicide, 52% experience domestic violence, and one in four locally have been forced into sex for housing.

What they’re saying: “We know that those of us who live in Palm Springs, we don’t exist in a vacuum, even though we do live in a bubble. And what happens in our nation also impacts what we experience here,” Ortega explained.

The big picture: Both speakers emphasized that many LGBTQ individuals hesitate to report hate incidents to law enforcement due to negative past experiences.

What’s next: Ortega suggested partnering with California’s “California vs. Hate” initiative, which provides anonymous online reporting for both hate crimes and incidents.

• Commission Chair Hugo Loyola proposed a town hall meeting later this year where these organizations could engage directly with the public.

Read the full story

BRIEFLY

🎤 City to hear public testimony related to fair housing

The City of Palm Springs is developing its 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, outlining goals for affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and community development. The plan will guide the use of federal Community Development Block Grant funds to address local needs.

• Part of the process requires gathering input from residents in community meetings and public hearings like the one being held by the Palm Springs City Council during its regular meeting this evening. The council will discuss and review staff recommendations and hear from residents about impediments to fair housing.
  
• Also on the agenda, councilmembers will consider approving $80,000 for the Beautiful Shade art project, which will install two pieces of art in city parks that provide shade and visual interest.
  
• Details: The regular meeting is open to the public in council chambers at City Hall. You can submit comments via an online public comment form, in person, or by calling the city clerk’s office at (760) 323-8204.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. The exhibition will reflect on the desert’s deep time evolutions, challenging us to glean wisdom from its vast knowledge.  Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Sustainability Subcommittee on Climate Action
1 p.m. | City Hall
According to the agenda, committee members will discuss shade structures, a ban on woodburning fires, and more. 

“Jesus Christ Superstar”
2 p.m. | CV Repertory
A rock phenomenon that has dazzled audiences for decades, “Jesus Christ Superstar” tells the story entirely through songs of the struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his disciples, his followers, and the Roman Empire. ($90)

The Mod Squad Variety Show
5 p.m. | Palm Springs Cultural Center
Enjoy an evening of musical hijinks and hilarity with award-winning hosts. Tickle your musical senses with their fun and unique arrangements of Mid-Century Pop Music, Yacht Rock, Rat Pack, classic oldies & a whole lot more. ($20)

Palm Springs City Council
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Now meeting on Wednesdays, councilmembers will discuss and possibly vote on several issues. You can check out the agenda here.

Made By A Woman: Celebrate Women’s History Month with Deserted Films
6 p.m. | Palm Springs Public Library
Deserted Films will take you on a gently guided video tour through the work of well known and lesser-known women directors and media-makers. And, because it’s Deserted Films, it will be jam-packed with surprises, weird stuff, and things you will want to see again. 

See all events

SAVE THE DATE

• Into the Abstrakt 2025 Spring Exhibition Opening at Janssen Artspace on Friday.
  
• Movies in the Park: “Hook” at Downtown Park on March 18. 
  
• Palm Springs Drone Fest at Palm Springs High School starting March 21. ($25)
  
• Brothers of the Desert 6th Annual Wellness Summit at the Riviera Resort on March 22. ($25 suggested donation)
  
• Palm Springs 70mm Film Fest at the Cultural Center starting March 22. ($18)
  
• Rescheduled: AbbaFab Rock the Park Concert at Downtown Park on March 26.
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Annual Scholarship Event Dinner at Palm Springs Surf Club on March 26. ($125)
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 5.
  
• World Art Day at Demuth Park on April 12.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)

Submit your event

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AND FINALLY …

🐾 Each week, The Post partners with a local animal shelter to feature one or more of the many animal companions ready for a new home in our community. 

Today, we invite you to meet Jake, a two-year-old male cat available for adoption at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Staff at the shelter say Jake can be a little shy at first, but warms up quickly and loves perching on a sunny window to watch the birds.

If you’re interested: You can visit the shelter at 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all days except for Mondays (open for intake only) and Thursdays (1 p.m. until 7 p.m.). You can always call the shelter at (760) 416-5718.

• Make sure to check out all the other pets at the shelter here. And get a jump start on adoption by completing the form here.