June is a powerful month. On one side, we commemorate Juneteenth—a moment of delayed justice, but a fierce symbol of Black liberation. On the other, we celebrate Pride—a vibrant honoring of queer resistance, love, and visibility.

 

At first glance, they might seem like separate observances. But for those of us living at the intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ identity, these two freedoms are part of the same soul-deep story.

 

Both Juneteenth and Pride are about people being told they were “less than”… and deciding to rise anyway.

 

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas finally learned they had been freed—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Can you imagine? Working, suffering, surviving… long after you were legally free.

That’s not just a historical footnote. It’s a symbol of how systems often withhold liberation—how freedom must be claimed, not just granted.

Likewise, Pride traces its roots to the Stonewall uprising of 1969, led by Black and Brown trans folks and queer people who’d had enough. Like Juneteenth, it’s not just a party—it’s a call to keep resisting, keep loving, and keep showing up.

 

For Black LGBTQ+ people, June can feel like being asked to split ourselves down the middle. Are we celebrating our Blackness… or our queerness?

 

But here’s the truth: We’ve never been just one thing. We carry both legacies in our bodies. We carry both struggles in our hearts. And when we celebrate both, something powerful happens—we affirm the wholeness of who we are.

 

We’re not fragments. We’re not “either/or.”
We’re both/and. And in that both/and lies our brilliance.

 

At Brothers of the Desert, we believe that true liberation comes through connection. Not just political change (though that matters), and not just survival (though that’s heroic). We’re here to thrive. To laugh, cry, create, heal, love, and live loudly in the fullness of our truth.

This month, as the rainbow flags fly and the red, black, and green colors wave, we remember that our freedom is sacred—and our identities are not in conflict, they are in harmony.

So whether you’re dancing in a parade, reflecting in solitude, grieving what’s been lost, or dreaming about what’s to come—know this:

 

Two freedoms. One soul.
And a community that keeps rising, together.

Join us for a powerful evening of truth-telling, community, and celebration with Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins—aka Doctor Jon Paul—as they present their acclaimed book:

Moderated by Toi Thibodeaux, Program Director of the IE LGBTQ+ Center, this engaging event will include:

📚 A reading from the book

🗣 A moderated discussion and open Q&A

✍🏾 Book signing and meet-and-greet

For Reservation to this free event: 

 

Brothers of the Desert members and allies are invited to become a valued participant of the 3rd Annual Palm Springs EQUALITY WINE & FOOD FEST, scheduled for Saturday, June 7th, 2025, at the new venue in the heart of downtown Palm Springs – the HYATT PALM SPRINGS. We will be taking over the entirety of the hotel’s stunning artium, bringing an elevated atmosphere to this year’s event!

 

The EQUALITY WINE & FOOD FEST was created to showcase and promote the best wines from various prestigious wine regions including, Sonoma County, Napa Valley, Amador County, and other premiere wine producing destinations, all while being dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality in the wine industry. Today, these values are more important than ever, especially in light of recent corporate actions that have seen the rollback of diversity initiatives and anti-discrimination policies.

 

The EQUALITY WINE & FOOD FEST not only offers a platform to support underrepresented voices within the wine community, but it also provides an opportunity for brands to demonstrate their commitment to inclusiveness. We believe that creating a more equitable future begins with taking action now—both through celebration and by giving visibility to those who might otherwise be marginalized.

 

By partnering with the EQUALITY WINE & FOOD FEST, you will be aligned with forward-thinking charities that prioritize the values of respect, diversity, and equality. Your generous support and attendance will help elevate diverse talent, foster community, and bring these important conversations to the forefront.

 

This will be the third year Brothers of the Desert has been showcased as a beneficiary of the festival and events.

5:30 PM 7:00 PM
 

Brothers of the Desert is excited to continue our monthly discussion group called Barbershop: A Black Men’s Space for Honest Talk About Wellness now in our second year!

 

Building upon the tradition of barbershops in Black communities, the discussion group is designed to encourage open and honest conversation. The meetings are welcoming the full spectrum of Black men, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and straight allies. The wellness topics discussed are diverse, ranging from dating and intimacy, aging considerations, how we get and offer support, and exploring our identities as Black men.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:00 PM. We begin with a meet and greet with dinner that begins at 5:30PM and the discussion group starts at 6PM. The group is facilitated by Stuart Huggins and Will Dean. To register to attend the meetings email: willdean.boardmember@brothersofthedesrt.org For questions email Tim Vincent at president@brothersofthedesert.org RSVP at Brothersofthedesert.org/events

Brothers of the Desert members meet monthly to discuss recent and upcoming events, share updates on the organization, celebrate our accomplishments, and have an opportunity to connect with new and existing members.

 

Join us for lunch after the Members’ Meeting!

Location: Play Lounge Cafe www.playloungeps.com

 

Both members and allies are welcome to attend (Cash and Carry). Please make your reservation with David before Friday, June 13th, as we want to let the restaurant know how many will be having lunch.

 

Email: DavidMaurice.Jones@gmail.com

- Brian Edson, Co-Founder of The Good House

Brian Edson, is the co-founder of The Good House Hotel & Spa in Desert Hot Springs, a boutique hotel and one of the only Black owned hospitality properties in the Southern California region.

 

Coming from a family of real estate investors, Brian grew up with a foundation of management and hospitality. In 2015, he continued to follow this path with the establishment of Edson Holdings, LLC, a real estate investment company specializing in single family residential acquisition, rehabilitation and sales. With over a decade of work in the real estate industry, Brian has also gained a range of experience having held positions throughout the fields of finance, marketing, and entertainment. Being able to tap into his unique talents from real estate to entertainment, Brian’s creative leadership of this desert oasis has made The Good House Hotel & Spa a vocal point of Desert Hot Springs hospitality.

 

Acquired in 2020 by Brian Edson and his business partner David Shaker, The Good House is a catalyst for cultural leadership in the city of Desert Hot Springs (DHS). Brian has continued to activate inclusive community programming, diverse hiring from the local DHS community and has plans for continued infrastructure expansion in this city known for its magical water, breathtaking hiking trails, and energy vortex. Brian’s personal experience with the positive effects of natural hot spring soaks with his sleeping issues inspired him to build a property in this sector to provide the peace to others as he experienced. Throughout his years in real-estate Brian’s ethos as an owner and operator of residential and commercial properties is to own a responsibility to uplift the surrounding communities he is working within. This revival of this historic property does just that, like a spark bringing back the spa and soak glory days that DHS was known for in years past. The city is now going through a resurgence led by diverse owners like Brian that are putting time and attention into their property and using them to support and expand small businesses in the area.

 

Like the owners before them, Brian has taken great care to add value to the property without disrupting the positive energy The Good House exudes. The suites have been recently updated with kitchenette and bathroom remodels. A brand-new food and beverage program is underway by Chef Van Stevens, a former chef under Wolfgang Puck who has gained a cult following for his homemade pizzas and other worldly dishes made with a TLC touch. The Desert Reset Spa, features both western and Ayurvedic styles of wellness services from the aloe & herb facials to the aromatherapy massages. The revitalization of The Good House looks to create communal synergy and support the growth of diverse entrepreneurship in the region. The Good House located at 12885 Eliseo Road, Desert Hot Springs 92240 or visit Welcometothegoodhouse.com or call (760)251-2885.

 

Brothers of the Desert sponsors two programs from the Palm Springs Unified School District each year. Both programs provide opportunities to uplift and empower Black students. The College and Cultural Tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the latest graduation of the Kings Circle took place recently.  Below is a brief description of the programs and an acknowledgement by the coordinator, Jarvis Williams. We are grateful to offer this support.

 

Kings Circle is a group which creates opportunities for young men to interact with one another and developed positive life skills, and irrefutable solutions to life’s problems. We infuse life lessons that instill great character in each participant. the core concept of King Circle is to recognize the talent, strengths and abilities of the participants. It is believed that by building strong character it will translate into better academic performance, respectful behavior, and most of all high self-esteem and confidence.

 

The College and Culture Tour is designed to celebrate student achievement and inspire those from underserved communities to rise above historically low expectations. Through this initiative, PSUSD aims to motivate, empower, and support students in exploring and ultimately pursuing enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) after high school graduation.

As we gather to honor Juneteenth, I want to take a moment to reflect—not just on history, but on the road we're still walking together.

 

June 19, 1865, marks the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that they were free—two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation! It's a story that’s part celebration, part heartbreak. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom isn't always delivered on time… and it’s rarely given without struggle.

 

But here’s the truth that resonates most for me this year: freedom is not a finish line. It’s not something we crossed back in 1865 and now get to sit back and enjoy. It’s something we continue to reach for in our laws, in our communities, in our relationships, and even within ourselves.

 

And right now, that truth feels especially urgent.

 

Across the country, we’re seeing a resurgence of reactionary politics that aim to strip away hard-won rights and silence historically marginalized voices. From book bans that erase Black and queer histories, to legislation targeting LGBTQ+ youth and families, to attacks on voting rights and bodily autonomy—it’s clear that the forces of oppression haven’t disappeared. They’ve just changed tactics.

 

In this climate, celebrating Juneteenth isn’t just symbolic—it’s an act of resistance. It’s a bold reminder that we’ve survived worse. That we have the power to remember, to reclaim, and to rise again and again.

 

For Black queer men especially, the path to liberation is layered. We carry the legacies of racism, homophobia, exclusion, and silence. But we also carry brilliance. We carry culture, beauty, resilience, and joy that no system could ever erase.

 

So as you celebrate Juneteenth—whether with music, food, dance, rest, or reflection—I invite you to ask:
What does liberation look like for me today?
Is it showing up in spaces that once felt unsafe?
Is it loving yourself out loud, without apology?
Is it mentoring the next generation, building something bigger than you, or simply giving yourself permission to rest?

 

At Brothers of the Desert, we believe freedom looks like all of those things. It’s about connection, empowerment, healing, and the right to thrive in every part of our identities—even, and especially, when the world tells us we shouldn't.

 

Let’s not just remember the day freedom came late—let’s recommit to making sure it comes fully, fiercely, and for all of us.

 

In liberation and love,