Inside the ‘queerest town in America’ – desert, drag motels and the hottest Pride ever

Pride here is 24/7, 365, writes Calum McSwiggan (Picture: Calum McSwiggan)

Beneath a blazing desert sun, drag queens glide by in open-top cars and rainbow-clad cowboys trot in a sea of sparkling confetti. 

It is hot. It is loud. It is magnificently queer.

It is Pride in the heart of the Coachella Valley: Palm Springs.

My journey to find Pride around the world has brought me to what might best be described as the queerest town in America.

And even though the celebrations take place in winter, with the desert sun beating down, it’s the hottest event I’ve been to. 

The parade is eclectic and over the top. Cheerleaders whiz past on roller-skates and ...