Discover Cathedral City

By Conrad Angel Corral

LGBTQ residents and visitors know Cathedral “Cat” City for its local restaurants, art galleries, six gay bars located along the (Highway) “111 Catwalk”, and the largest clothing optional gay resort in Southern California. In fact, before there was “Gay Palm Springs” next door, it was “Gay Cat City”. Its historical roots began as a lesbian artists’ colony in the Cathedral Cove neighborhood almost 100 years ago with famous artists such as Agnes Pelton and Matille Prigge Seamen. Today, more than 70 professional artists still call “The Cove” home, an expanding neighborhood for the LGBTQ community. Collectors come to the city’s fine art galleries located along Perez Road to furnish commercial and residential interiors throughout the world.

With several city council members being part of the LGBTQ community in the past decade, Cathedral City has claimed many firsts in the Coachella Valley. It was the first city to designate a Rainbow Crossing near city hall. The first to pass a gender-neutral only bathroom ordinance. And it was the first to raise the Rainbow Flag at City Hall. Cathedral City even had the first openly gay councilmember elected in Riverside County, the late Mayor Greg Pettis for which the Rainbow Crossing and the beautiful Fountain of Life in its Town Square Park are properly named after him for serving more than 24 years.

Cathedral City is “Where Art Lives!” Namely, the Downtown Arts and Entertainment District which features the Mary Pickford Theatre, CVRep Playhouse, and the new Festival Lawn as well as Cathedral City Community Amphitheater that play host to a growing list of events including the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, Taste of Jalisco, and a portion of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The city’s pride festival, Cathedral City LGBT Days, is the first pride in the country every March. The signature event of LGBT Days, their version of a parade, is the Bed Race, where teams decorate and race their “beds” down the street to win money, prizes and bragging rights for the year. This is a must-see unique event. In addition, there are pool parties, festish balls, beer busts, drag shows, a festival with DJs, live entertainment, and so much more. You can learn more by visiting www.cathedralcitylgbtdays.com.

For live performing arts, the best actors’ equity playhouse is located here – The CVRep Playhouse produces thought provoking plays on its incredible 2,700 square foot, state-of-the-art performing arts and dance stage all in view of an intimate audience size of about 200 people. Film buffs choose the Mary Pickford Theatre featuring reclining captain chairs and home to many Coachella Valley film festivals. Soon to be under construction will be the new Agua Caliente Casino to serve as the district’s fourth anchor.

Food connoisseurs love the savory flavors of locally owned restaurants including a long list of superior Mexican, California Cuisine, American Bistro, Italian, Chinese, Argentinian, German, Greek, and Japanese restaurants. During the winter months, visitors flock downtown to partake in the annual Food Truck Mash-Up featuring a variety of options for any foodie. And, of course, there are many gay bars where you can wet your whistle… from piano bars to sports bars, drag shows and dancing. There is something for everyone. One of the newest, and under new ownership, is The Roost Lounge with a great happy hour and fun happenings throughout the week.

Cathedral City was also at the forefront for medical and recreational cannabis. You will discover more than 10 dispensaries and several cannabis lounges available to meet your needs and desires. You can visit the BUDTAB at GEDmag.com to see listings and locations of cannabis facilities throughout the Coachella Valley.

Meanwhile, sports and health enthusiasts enjoy Big League Dreams Sports Park home to gay softball tournaments and the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic featuring more than 25 NCAA Division 1 women’s softball teams from across the nation. Runners, bicyclists, and drivers of neighborhood electrical vehicles also enjoy the first segment of the future 40-mile Coachella Valley Link (CVLink), while amateur and Olympic ice skaters and ice hockey players cherish Desert Ice Castle for its high-quality sports venue. Affordable homes, great entertainment, and a city that embraces diversity – visit Cathedral City in person or wherever you are on CCTV via www.DiscoverCathedralCity.com.