A Celebration of LGBTQ life includes more than 2,000 shades of red

Al Jones
·4 min read

A sold-out crowd of more than 2,000 members of the LGBTQ community and allies came together dressed in more than 2,000 shades of red to celebrate life at The LGBTQ Center's Red Dress Dress Red extravaganza held at the Palm Springs Air Museum on March 19. All guests were required to show proof of vaccination in a horrendous wind that messed up plenty of carefully crafted hairdos and wigs.

With the rhythmic disco thump of dance music in the background provided by DJ Galaxy, the most penetrating assessment of the evening was provided by Palm Springs City Councilmember Dennis Woods: "It is an incredible event that creates community and brings disparate people together. ... There is an atmosphere joy and a celebration of life that is palpable."

Mary Sue Allen, co-chair of The LGBTQ Center board of directors, added that the celebratory event "has always been built for the community. The Center keeps the price of the ticket as low as possible, which allows it to expand the number of people who can afford to come for the night."

The Red Dress Dress Red party was held at the Palm Springs Air Museum on March 19, 2022.
The Red Dress Dress Red party was held at the Palm Springs Air Museum on March 19, 2022.

Board member and treasurer Tom Becktold noted that the "Red Dress Dress Red Party is meant for the entire Coachella Valley and even more so this year, allowing people to let loose after three years of lockdown due to COVID".

The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism described the Red Dress Dress Red event as "one of the most bedazzling social occasions" that brings guests together "for a night of glitz and glamour." This is an understatement. Men and women were attired in outrageous dresses and costumes that punctuated the silliness of the evening and celebratory atmosphere. One had never seen so many shades of red, which were seen on a variety of garments, from elaborate gowns and dresses to pants suits and scantily clad wrestlers and dancers.

Those guests who did not wear red dresses were expected to include a piece of red clothing to highlight the excitement of the evening. Marge Barry, Susan Gelman and Linda Rider exclaimed that this was their first Red Dress Dress Red party, but would not be their last.

The Center's executive director, Rob Wheeler, shared how grateful he was "for everyone who helped make Red Dress Dress Red 2022 such a success. From the sponsors and their generosity to the volunteer teams and staff at The Center who kept the night running smoothly, to, of course, the wonderful restaurants that provided such delicious food and drinks. The Center could not have brought back the return of the community party of the year without such help."

LGBT Center volunteers like Matthew Stocker, Shawnda Thomas Faveau and Stefan Hill kept the Red Dress Dress Red party running smoothly.
LGBT Center volunteers like Matthew Stocker, Shawnda Thomas Faveau and Stefan Hill kept the Red Dress Dress Red party running smoothly.

Keeping to tradition, there was no program. Everyone in attendance was there to celebrate life by sharing the evening with long-time and new-found friends without masks.

Center board members seen frolicking throughout the evening included Brian Rix (with Jack Farmer), Ted B. Riggs, Mary Sue Allen, Tom Becktold (with Steve Soucy), Michelle McKee, Ector Simpson, Jody Silver (with Carol Davidson) and Don Zuidema.

Also seen in the crowd were David Mizener and Arturo Carrillo, Arnie Kassoy, Robert Rodman, Peter Daut and David Gibson, Sue Burnside and Karyl Ketchum, Chad Boeddeker and Alphonso Herrera, Brian Patrick Healey, Ed McBride and Tad Green, Dennis DeGroot, Matthew Stocker and Tom Oliver, Jose Velasco, Michael Ferrara, Julie Rice, Brad Fuhr, Sean and Stephen Heslin, Robert Kalin, Bram Conley and Charles Herbert and Jeff Hocker and Luis Moreno.

Major sponsors included the Presenting Sponsor, Contractors State License Schools; Crimson Sponsor, Tito's Handmade Vodka; Cherry Sponsor, Arnie Kassoy; Scarlet Sponsors David Hood and George Sellers, Edward Jones, Ted Briggs and Ted Jarvis, Glen Johnson, Michael Melancon, Alex Schalasky, Glenn Hessell and Mark Kendrick Smith.

Photography was provided by David A. Lee. Additional sponsors included Aspen Mills, Chill Bar, El Mirasol, Bar One, Chicken Ranch, Fuzion Five, Giuseppe's, Koffi, Mario's, New Leaf, Krispy Kreme, Lulu California Bistro, Cold Brew, Marlin Bar, Vizzy, Wang's, Teremana Tequila, Sammy's Place, Asia SF, B Street Waffles and Hocker Productions.

The Center's Mission

The Center serves people of all ages, totaling more than 67,000 visits annually through relevant and mission-focused programming that aims to end isolation and loneliness, connect people to resources and the community and to enrich individual experiences. It provides safety net services, empowerment, physical health, mental and emotional health, social and fun programs and life enrichment activities. The Center has been serving the community for 20 years, expanding now into the east valley to provide services and support to all LGBTQ residents and community members.

Al Jones was appointed by the city council as a Trustee of the Palm Springs Library, where he serves as its treasurer. He was the former chairman of the Palm Springs International Airport Commission and is a member of the board of directors of Dezart Performs, the CSU Palm Desert Campus Advancement board, the Advisory board of Priority One Coachella Valley and a member of DBA and Main Street. Prior community engagement includes DAP Health Partners for Life Leadership Committee; the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, where he served as the board secretary for five years, and Sanctuary Palm Springs.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: A Celebration of LGBTQ life includes more than 2,000 shades of red