The Big Gay BBQ is underway in Palm Springs on Arenas

As the weekend heats up for the Summer, Palm Springs Pride presents the inaugural Big Gay Bar B Que in the Arenas District of Palm Springs.

Locals are showing off their pride at the first Big Gay BBQ as flag dancers move to the beat.

Organizers of the event say they have a sense of pride for the LGBTQ communities, locally and globally.

"We're so privileged compared to not only other parts of the nation but the world when I read recently about Uganda, and the laws passed there, and the death penalty," says Cathedral City resident Tom Coleman.

Tom Coleman doesn't take his freedom to be his authentic self for granted.

"I mean, we still had hate crimes and all of that, you know, everywhere in the united states, but nothing compared to the rest of the world," says Coleman. 

Trans advocate Rachal Aviña came to bring more awareness to the local trans community. 

"I really believe strongly that the transgender community needs to be really represented here in the LGBTQ community," says a trans advocate,
Rachal Aviña. "Obviously, we have a lot of beautiful gay men, and we see them everywhere. But we need beautiful ladies like us to get out there and be as much a part of it." 

She started hormones seven years ago.

She says she still feels like trans people are separate from the rest of the LGBTQ community. But an event like the Big Gay BBQ brings awareness and fun.

"It's important for me to come out tonight and say, hey, it's me too, and I want to see more of the transgender women out here having fun and showing off who we are," says Aviña.

As the music floods the streets of Arenas

Bar owners have a message to the community; Love is local.

"So my message really is, enjoy yourself, have fun, and be thankful for what we have," says Coleman. "But don't forget about our other brothers and sisters around the world."

Organizers say they expect a thousand people to show up throughout the evening. Folks are eating BBQ, dancing, and playing tons of outdoor games. The backyard games include pin the tail, cornhole, and thong toss. DJ Galaxy and DJ MODgirl will play music from 5 pm until 11 pm.

Be Happy and Love All is the theme of Saturday's event.
Everyone is welcome, and there is no cover to get in, meaning FREE entry.

VIP passes include a gourmet BBQ dinner served between 5 and 9 pm. The VIP fundraiser helps keep the November Pride Festival in Palm Springs free.

There are multiple bars on Arenas that are open and welcoming folks in to keep the party going, but they are bar pop-ups in the middle of the street on Arenas; pride beverage bars are for purchase.

Price: Free entry and optional VIP ticket
June 24 - 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm.