Palm Springs Pride
Monument
Unveiled for the 40th Anniversary of Pride in Palm Springs and located in Frances Stevens Park, this striking installation by renowned artist Jim Isermann weaves together three iconic symbols of LGBTQ+ solidarity: the lambda, the triangle, and the rainbow. The sculpture was dedicated on October 18, 2025, and gifted to the City of Palm Springs Public Art Collection by Palm Springs Pride.​
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The Palm Springs Pride Monument stands as a powerful testament to the profound contributions of the LGBTQ+ Community in the desert.
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More than just a sculpture, it's a celebration of the countless individuals who've shaped Palm Springs into the welcoming, vibrant community we know today.
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The Digital Archive Wall of Honor complements the monument by providing a deeper look into the history, stories, and individuals who have shaped the LGBTQ+ community in Palm Springs and the Greater Coachella Valley.
"The Palm Springs Pride Monument marks not just where we've been, but points toward where we're going. It stands as proof that love, activism, and community can create lasting change—and lasting art." - Ron deHarte
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​Artist: Jim Isermann
Project Management: Metalab
Commissioned by: Palm Springs Pride
Welcome to Our Story
The Symbols Tell Our Story
Lambda
The Lambda: This Greek letter representing "change and kinetic potential" became one of the first coded symbols of Gay Liberation when the Gay Activists Alliance adopted it after Stonewall in 1969. By 1974, the International Gay Rights Congress declared it the international symbol for gay and lesbian rights. Organizations like Lambda Legal and the American Lambda Literary Foundation continued this legacy. Our monument honors this history with a literal lambda-shaped concrete foundation—making it both our symbolic and physical foundation.
Triangle
The Triangle What began as a badge of persecution in 1933—when Nazis forced gay prisoners to wear downward-pointing pink triangles on their uniforms—was powerfully reclaimed as a symbol of liberation. In 1972, the activist group Homosexualle Aktion Westberlin became the first queer organization to reclaim the triangle. Then in 1986, ACT UP's working group Gran Fury created the iconic "Silence = Death" campaign, accidentally inverting the triangle to point upward and transforming it into a battle cry for HIV/AIDS treatment and LGBTQ+ rights.
Colors
The monument builds on Baker's design, representing our community's diversity and ongoing fight for inclusion.
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Red: Life
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Orange: Healing
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Yellow: Sunlight
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Green: Nature
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Blue: Serenity
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Violet (Purple): Spirit
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Hot pink: Sex
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Black and Brown: Honor marginalized communities of color within the LGBTQ+ community and represent those lost to the HIV/AIDS crisis
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Colors from the Transgender Pride Flag—light blue and pink are included in the design.
The Artist
Jim Isermann, a longtime Palm Springs resident, has built an artistic practice over many years that encompasses painting, drawing, sculpture, site-specific installation, and product design. His work is featured in museums and galleries all over the world.
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For this project, Hundreds of folded steel triangular modules come together to create a textured wall that shifts and changes as you move around it. Diagonal rainbow bands sweep across the surface, creating the impression of a waving flag for those driving by, while revealing intricate details to visitors who take time to explore up close.
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The lambda-shaped foundation anchors the entire piece, with each triangular module representing the individual stories that collectively build our community's strength.
Visit the Monument
Location: Frances Stevens Park - at the corner of E. Alejo Road and Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA
Dedicated: October 18, 2025
#palmspringspridemonument
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When you visit, take time to walk around the entire sculpture. Notice how the colors shift and the patterns emerge as you move. Each triangle represents a story, and together they form something greater than the sum of their parts—just like our community.
Digital Archive & Wall of Honor
While the monument itself stands as a powerful symbol, the real stories live in the Palm Springs Pride digital archive. We're building a comprehensive online collection honoring an ever-growing list of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies who've significantly impacted Palm Springs and the Greater Coachella Valley throughout history.
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The archive serves as a living repository of LGBTQ+ history in the Coachella Valley. Through rigorous research and community input, we're documenting stories that might otherwise be lost to time. It will grow and evolve, with annual reviews ensuring accuracy and inclusivity, designed to be an authoritative resource for educators, researchers, and anyone curious about our community's rich history.
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How You Can Contribute
to the Wall of Honor
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Know someone whose contributions deserve recognition? We want to hear from you.
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Ways to Contribute:
Nominate individuals for future inclusion
Provide photographs, documents, or memorabilia
Connect us with community elders and longtime residents
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Submission Guidelines:
Focus on individuals who've impacted Palm Springs and the Greater Coachella Valley
Include specific examples of contributions (activism, education, professional achievements, community service, volunteerism)
Provide verification where possible (dates, locations, organizations)
Submit photos and supporting documents when available
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Contact Us:
Email: info@pspride.org | Phone: 760-416-8711
Mail: Greater Palm Springs Pride, 329 W Mariscal Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Our Generous Supporters
This monument exists because of the incredible generosity of individuals and organizations who believe in preserving and celebrating our community's history.
Donate
Gifts of all amounts are welcome and recognized online.
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The LGBTQ+ Monument celebrates the contributions of LGBTQ+ people to the City of Palm Springs. From the closet to the community, our journey is one of courage, resilience, and an unwavering spirit. Let's honor our history and work towards a future where everyone can live authentically.
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Every dollar of every donation goes toward the design and fabrication of the Monument.​
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Greater Palm Springs Pride is the fiscal processing agent for donations. The Pride organization generously provides these services to us free of charge.
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Greater Palm Springs Pride is a charitable, tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your donation is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. No goods or services are provided in return. Tax ID: 33-0745940.
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The LGBTQ+ Monument team is comprised entirely of volunteers.​​
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Donations may also be made by check
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Make your check payable to “Palm Springs Pride.”
Include “Pride Monument” in the memo field
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Mail your check to
Greater Palm Springs Pride
329 W. Mariscal Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92262
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Talk Directly with the Monument Team
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Allison Jones, President, Monument Board - 323-823-1948
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Ron deHarte, President & CEO Palm Springs Pride - 760-416-8711​​​​​​​​​​​