Sept. 9 Daily Briefing: Marriage equality concerns, library campaign coming, and more

Happy Tuesday, everyone, where we don’t have shameless self-promotion, but we do have some promotion that might be of interest to you. Mark’s former boss, who also went the entrepreneurial route after leaving Microsoft, has just launched a new website aimed at people over 50. And since we know many of you fall into that category, we thought you might enjoy it. It was launched with the belief that this age group, with its varied work and living circumstances, struggles to find content tailored to help them navigate their unique challenges. We’d love it if you went over to Nifty 50+ today and gave it a look. 

🎶 Setting the mood: “Hijos del Sol” by Hermanos Gutiérrez

LEADING OFF

Commission works to update its establishing documents amid marriage equality concerns

The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is working to update its founding documents while considering future threats to human rights, including the possibility of losing marriage equality at the federal level if the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges is overturned.

Driving the news: The commission met Monday to continue a discussion about its founding documents and look toward the future. Commissioners emphasized the importance of language about “domestic partnerships” in the ordinance, which was significant when adopted in 1992.

Looking back: The term “domestic partnership” was originated in 1979 by gay rights activist Tom Brougham and the new category of relationship was incorporated into San Francisco law in 1989.

• In the ordinance establishing the Human Rights Commission, Palm Springs had a statement about domestic partnerships on the books before the state of California declared domestic partnerships a legal relationship analogous to marriage in 1999.

At issue: Chair Hugo Loyola said the commission should look into including language addressing potential federal changes to marriage equality. Commissioners discussed whether to include specific provisions that would revert protections back to domestic partnerships if marriage equality is overturned.

• “Should we be looking at it through the lens of, if marriage equality is overturned, is there a plan B for this?” asked Commissioner Scott Nevins during the discussion.

Yes but: Commissioner Carlotta Rinke said putting suppositions or timely concerns like that into city municipal code might not be legally appropriate.

Meanwhile: Commissioners also considered how they could help educate the community about how to legally prepare for a future where marriage equality is overturned, like what would happen to wills and trusts involving same-sex couples.

• “We as the Human Rights Commission could spearhead an actual event where we bring in those experts to speak to the community directly,” Nevins said. 

Looking ahead: The commission is working with the city attorney’s office to finalize updated language for the ordinance, with plans to present a final revised document to the City Council by the end of the calendar year.

BRIEFLY

📚 Library Foundation preparing $14 million capital campaign

• The Palm Springs Library Foundation will soon launch a capital campaign featuring $14 million in naming opportunities to fund the main library’s renovation project, officials announced last week during the Library Board of Trustees monthly meeting.
  
• The foundation established a steering committee in September 2024 and hired a consultant who previously worked with both DAP Health and the Plaza Theater Foundation. Library board trustees offered to match the first $1 million raised from the community, creating a potential $2 million announcement when that goal is reached.
  
• Bottom line: The foundation has 2,900 names in its donor database and reports a 57% increase in annual giving through new fundraising tactics.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Temporary Library Ribbon Cutting
9:45 a.m. | Rimrock Plaza
The Palm Springs Public Library invites the public to the official ribbon cutting in celebration of opening the library’s temporary location during the renovation project.

Leads Lunch
12 p.m.| Social Cafe and Play Lounge
You’re invited to join the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce at our September Lead$ Lunch hosted at The Social Cafe and Play Lounge.

Standing Subcommittee on Waste Reduction
1 p.m. | City Hall
The Sustainability Commission’s Standing Subcommittee on Waste Reduction meets today in the Development Services Conference Room. You can find the agenda here.

ONE-PS Monthly Meeting
4:30 p.m. | Palm Springs Police Training Center
The Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) holds its monthly meeting to discuss neighborhood issues with city council members, public safety officers, and others. The meeting will also be available on YouTube.

Planning Commission
5:30 p.m. | City Hall
Commissioners meet to make recommendations on land use, zoning, and the general plan. Check out the agenda here.

PSUSD Board of Education
6 p.m. | PSUSD Headquarters
The Board of Education meets this evening in regular session. Check out the agenda here.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday starting at 8:15 a.m.
  
• Healthy Desert Healthy You Environmental Summit on Thursday and Friday 
  
• Annual Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs on Sept. 17
  
• Cinema Diverse for two weekends this month, starting Sept. 19
  
• One Night Out Paris benefitting The Foundation for PSUSD on Oct. 4 
  
• Junior Ranger Expo at Indian Canyons on Oct. 11
  
• Spooktacular 5K/10K Run at Ruth Hardy Park on Oct. 11

Submit your event here

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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 Tootsie, a rather regal guest at the Frisky Business Cat Cafe and up for adoption.

• Frisky Business owner Claire Rogers tells us he is very playful and warms up to visitors quickly.

If you’re interested: You can visit Frisky Business at Rimrock Plaza (also where Von’s is located) at 4781 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Suite F. Look for the cafe’s current hours here.

• All cats available at Frisky Business come from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. They are spayed or neutered and can be adopted while you sip a delicious beverage or enjoy a tasty treat. 

But wait: Don’t want to adopt but still enjoy cats? You can book a time to hang out in the cat lounge by clicking here.