Palm Springs, CA
The Palm Springs City Council has unanimously approved a license agreement with the nonprofit Palm Springs Pride, clearing the way for a landmark flagpole installation in the city’s Arenas District. The project will prominently feature the iconic Gilbert Baker-designed rainbow Pride flag, symbolizing decades of LGBTQ+ advocacy and the city’s continued commitment to inclusivity and equality.
Located at the intersection of Arenas Road and Indian Canyon Drive, the future site is a key entry point to the Arenas Business District, Palm Springs’ first officially certified commercial district. The initiative is being led by the Arenas District Merchants and will be managed by Palm Springs Pride, a 501(c)(3) organization that has supported LGBTQ+ visibility and civil rights for over four decades.
The flagpole will fly the six-color rainbow flag, originally created by Baker in 1978 at the urging of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California. The flag, which has evolved into a universal symbol of LGBTQ+ rights, was adopted as the official Pride flag for Palm Springs Pride in 2011. Alternative flags approved for display at the site include the Transgender Pride flag, Leather Pride flag, Bisexual Pride flag, and the California state flag. The U.S. flag will also be displayed on major national holidays.
“This is a first in the city’s 87-year history,” said Ron deHarte, President and CEO of Palm Springs Pride. “No other civic or cultural group has stepped forward to propose and fund a landmark flagpole that honors their community. The LGBTQ+ community is proud to take the lead.”
The idea for a landmark flagpole was first raised in 2024, when the City Council asked staff to explore the feasibility of installing a permanent structure in the Arenas District. The Council’s vote on Monday night marks the culmination of that process.
For many, the flagpole represents more than just a visual marker—it stands as a tribute to the contributions of LGBTQ+ activists from all backgrounds, including Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, and white communities. It’s also seen as a potential cultural draw, intended to boost foot traffic between the Convention Center, downtown, and the Arenas area.
Palm Springs Pride is currently fundraising for the project, with community members invited to pledge support.
“This flagpole will be a beacon of hope and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality,” said Mitch Battersby, Director of Volunteers for Palm Springs Pride and a lead on the project. “It’s a bold statement that everyone is welcome here.”
To learn more or contribute to the project, visit https://bit.ly/arenasflag.
