Brothers of the Desert is Growing Community

Com•mu•ni•ty  /  a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

Brothers of the Desert, a non-profit organization, is growing the Black gay men’s community in the Coachella Valley through collaboration, respect, integrity and honesty.

BOD’s mission is to “nurture and support Black gay men and allies through philanthropy, volunteerism, mentorship, education, advocacy, and social networking. Our purpose is to change the dynamics that produce isolation, disconnection, and inequities among Black gay men,” says Eric Davis, BOD Vice President.

With a growing membership, BOD meetings are hosted at the LGBTQ+ Community Center in Palm Springs second Saturday of every month. Their membership encompasses men who identify as Black or of African descent, gay, queer, bisexual, or same gender loving. Allies are also welcome and include individuals of any race, gender, or sexual orientation who support or contribute to community well-being.

BOD events are open to everyone, with most being free or donation based, and such events include: an annual Wellness Summit, which emphasizes holistic health and community engagement; a quarterly speaker series; a bi-monthly social event called “Brothers Got Talent”; and the monthly newsletter, Drumbeat. BOD programing is enhanced by special events for important dates such as Martin Luther King Day, Black History month, and Juneteenth.

According to brothersofthedesert.org, “The seeds of our group were planted in 2017 in response to these feelings of isolation and disconnection among a group of Black gay men in the Coachella Valley – both Black gay desert pioneers and Black gay desert newcomers. The founding group hosted a progressive dinner party on New Year’s Eve 2017, and in 2018 began discussing the need to intentionally support the Black gay community in a strategic and meaningful way. We began by assessing who was in the valley by reaching out to personal contacts; we asked each other about the needs and dreams of the community in facilitated focus groups; and we learned about the experiences of long-standing Black gay residents and prior organizing efforts.”

Also engrained in the BOD mission, is giving back to the community. In 2019, BOD partnered with Better Brothers of LA and began raising money for scholarships. Since organizing, BOD have dedicated more than $10,000 to scholarships for LGBTQ+ students and Black students in the Coachella Valley. Brothers of the Desert was formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2020.

In recognition of their efforts, in 2020, BOD received the City of Palm Springs Human Rights Commission Community Service Award, in 2021 Community Service Award from the Palm Springs Black Chamber of Commerce, and the 2022 Community Service Award from the Desert Business Association.

“Living your best Black gay life” is not just a motto with BOD but an action item, allowing its members to connect and socialize with each other, while sharing vital information on mental, physical, spiritual, and sexual health. BOD is truly building community in the Coachella Valley and beyond.

For more information on upcoming events, membership, or to donate, visit www.brothersofthedesert.org.

(Photos courtesy Brothers of the Desert)