Cathedral City votes to change name of LGBTQ+ celebration

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) - Cathedral City’s long-running LGBT+ Days will have a new name and new dates in 2027 after the City Council unanimously approved changes Wednesday night following an extended discussion about the event’s future, public funding and economic impact.

The event will be renamed Cathedral City Pride beginning in 2027. The council also approved moving next year’s celebration from its previously scheduled March 5-7 weekend to March 12-14, 2027, along with an amendment to the city’s existing agreement with event producer Montage Agency reflecting the changes.

City officials said the rebranding is intended to make the event easier to identify and market to visitors. During the presentation, organizers pointed to search data showing “Pride” is used far more frequently by people looking online for LGBTQ+ events and argued the new name could improve the event’s regional and national visibility.

The change comes after more than a decade of the city holding its annual LGBT+ celebration.

Event producer Michael Westman told the council the 2026 event drew an estimated combined attendance of more than 12,000 people over the weekend, which organizers described as the largest in the event’s history. According to figures presented to the council, about 60% of attendees were from the Coachella Valley, while others came from regional markets, out of state and internationally.

Public spending becomes part of discussion

While the council was considering changes to the event’s name and dates, questions surrounding the public money supporting the celebration also became a significant part of Wednesday's discussion.

City staff said Cathedral City allocated $85,000 in taxpayer funds for the 2026 event, with the city's contribution increasing to $90,000 for 2027. Officials described the increase as consistent with adjustments made for the city's other signature events.

Staff said the $85,000 was the city's cap for the 2026 event and that the total cost of producing it exceeded $125,000. According to the city, costs beyond its contribution were covered through private investment and sponsorships.

The city's existing agreement with Montage Agency allows for compensation of up to $85,000 for the 2026 event and $90,000 for 2027. The agreement also allows the producer to secure additional sponsors, with sponsorships intended primarily to offset event costs and excess sponsorship revenue permitted as additional non-city compensation to the provider.

The spending had drawn questions ahead of Wednesday's meeting, including from Cathedral City political candidate Sunshine Herrera, who publicly called for greater transparency surrounding the contract and sponsorship revenue.

During the council discussion, city officials defended the investment as part of a broader public-private partnership and said events such as Pride are also intended to generate economic activity for local businesses.

Council members also asked for more information moving forward that could quantify that impact — including hotel stays, spending at local businesses and the overall return associated with taxpayer investment in city events.

City staff acknowledged there is room to improve that measurement and said officials are working on ways to better track media reach and economic return.

Community members weigh in

The discussion drew community members to City Hall, including people who spoke in support of the Pride event and the proposed name change.

Stephen Golden, who volunteered at the 2026 event, said he believes the new name sends a clearer message.

“It's short and easy and it sends a wonderful, inclusive message that everyone belongs here in Cathedral City.”

Brian O'Connor, who identified himself as a volunteer leader and representative of the Human Rights Campaign, said showing up at the meeting was important to ensure the LGBTQ+ community was represented in the discussion.

“Anytime we can show up and speak on behalf of the importance of us being recognized, of us being seen and heard by our city officials and our leaders, it's very important for us.”

Randy Economy, a Palm Springs resident and former Cathedral City resident, focused on the broader public debate surrounding the issue. He said people should be able to question government and disagree while respecting opposing views.

“We can all disagree, but we don't have to necessarily be disagreeable,” Economy said.

Why the dates are changing

City officials said the decision to move the 2027 event back one week was prompted by a scheduling conflict involving another LGBTQ+ event expected to attract a similar audience during the originally planned weekend.

Staff told council members they did not want the events competing for the same audience and instead hope to create opportunities for cross-promotion. Officials said the city would like to establish more consistent dates in future years, although the event has shifted weekends before.

Despite the one-week move, officials said Cathedral City still expects its celebration to be among California's first Pride events of the year.

After the presentation, council discussion and public comment, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the changes.

The first event under the Cathedral City Pride name is now scheduled for March 12-14, 2027.