Mission Statement

The primary purpose for which this corporation is formed are to
the public education and public awareness of the personal rights and civil
liberties of the Lesbian/Gay/Trans-gendered/Bisexual Community, and to
engage in activities therefore.


A word from Denise Goolsby

Our Community, in all of its diverse glory, steps forward in unison to
continue the proud tradition of Pride in the Desert. The spirit of
cooperation reaches new heights, as groups of individuals create an enormous
"home team," where teamwork truly takes center stage. The goal that we
pursue, the "victory" that we strive for, the ideal that we hope to achieve
may seem elusive at times, but is the very heart of the event.

Across the board, over the boundaries of race, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, Greater Palm Springs Pride seeks to bridge the gap, by
encouraging tolerance and understanding. As the weekend folds into history,
how do we know whether or not, after all is said and done, that our Pride
event has been a success?

I suppose there are any number of yardsticks by which to measure its merits:
number of festival revelers, amount of money generated through fund-raising
efforts, number of vendors in attendance, etc. These are some ways that we
can assign worth to our efforts. Obviously, fiscal responsibility,
budgeting, and the ever important bottom line, are necessary points of
concern, and are absolutely instrumental in moving the planning process
along the continuum from point A to point B.

With the above being "a given," we must now turn our attention to what is
really important, and what is the true measure of success: Taking part. The
intrinsic value that we obtain as a result of being an active participant in
this celebration of community is priceless. Inclusiveness and acceptance are
the real gifts that we give to one another when we participate. Through our
participation, we share a part of ourselves.

The City, festival organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and ultimately, our
guests and visitors, each play a key role in contributing to the "Pride"
that emotes from our event. Pride: self-respect, self-esteem; gratification
arising from association with something laudable. Pride is what we have in
ourselves, and, like so many things in life, becomes more meaningful when
shared, and when enjoyed in the company of others. And when the music from
the Main Stage has faded into the night, and the last Parade participant has
journeyed down Palm Canyon Drive, take a moment to look back upon the scene.
It is you who have left a mark upon Greater Palm Springs Pride, by your
presence and your dedication to community.

Denise Goolsby