By Heidi Simmons
For Coachella Valley residents, LGBTQ are our family, friends and neighbors. We work and party together, and we also stand shoulder to shoulder against injustice.
The LGBTQ community is a big part of what makes the City of Palm Springs such a welcoming and colorful place to live.
When newly elected, Lisa Middleton, and Christy Holstege, took their seats as council members, word quickly spread that the Palm Springs City Council was entirely LGBTQ – the first in the country!
Electing qualified and effective representatives, LGBTQ or not, is absolutely standard for Palm Springs residents. It is an active and engaged community. The people vote for the candidates they believe best for the job.
An all LGBTQ Palm Springs City Council does not seem like a big deal for us locally. In fact, it feels perfectly natural.
However, there is a greater relevance. As a community, Palm Springs clearly transcends issues of gender identity when so much of the country does not.
Having LGBTQ equality and representation has been fought for, and earned. Progress continues to be made.
Who better to represent a city and its diverse population than those who have firsthand experience of the challenges to be seen, heard and recognized. It has taken hard work, bravery and dedication over decades to step-up, make a difference and lead in the face of adversity.
LGBTQ have been frontrunners in the battle for civil liberties. Their efforts have created a more tolerant, open, compassionate and accepting world for everyone!
The Palm Springs City Council deeply understands the role of leadership and how important representation is, not only for the LGBTQ, but for their entire constituency.
Palm Springs is a living, working example where equality of opportunity, tolerance and freedom thrive. It is a place where locals don’t focus on the differences, but believe in making a difference.
That Palm Springs has an all LGBTQ city council deserves to be celebrated!
CVW is proud to acknowledged the importance and value that LGBTQ leadership provides.
CVW asked the Palms Springs City Councilmembers what this moment means and to share a little of their personal lives. It may be a surprise to learn how unimportant the phrase “first all LGBTQ City Council in the country” actually impacts the Council’s commitment to public service.
ROBERT MOON – Mayor
How do you identify?
I identify as a proud Palm Springs resident; as the Mayor of Palm Springs; as a Moderate Democrat; and as a retired military officer and veteran.
How long have you been a resident of Palm Springs?
Since 2001, or about 17 years;
How has Palm Springs shaped you as a person?
Palm Springs has made me more aware of our environment; more aware of the beauty of nature; more aware of the importance of living and eating in a healthy way; and it has made me aware that age, race, sexual orientation, and/or sexual identity is irrelevant.
Are you married, do you have children or pets?
I have been with my partner and husband since 1981, or 36 years; married to him for nine.
Where did you grow up?
My family has been in Arkansas for 200 years, which is where I grew up. However I left when I was 18 to attend the US Naval Academy in Annapolis.
What is/was your profession?
After Annapolis I spent 22 years as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy, of which about 15 years was spent at sea in every corner of the globe. That was followed by 17 years as a corporate executive in large publicly traded corporations at the VP and SVP level.
What does it mean to you to be part of the first all LGBTQ city council?
I am proud to be a part of a very intelligent, experienced and skilled group of five Council members. I prefer not to put labels on people. Personally, I don’t know of anyone who voted in the past election based on gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. People voted for whom they felt were the most qualified candidates.
What is the best part about serving on the PSCC?
Having the opportunity to serve and represent the residents of Palm Springs and to be a part of the leadership of a beautiful city that is in a renaissance.
What do you do for fun?
Work. I have been that way my entire life. I am actually rather boring.
GEOFF KORS – Councilmember
How do you identify?
I identify as a passionate Palm Springs resident.
How long have you been a resident of Palm Springs?
I have been a resident since 2000 and a fulltime resident for ten of those 17 years.
How has Palm Springs shaped you as a person?
The combination of our natural environment, wonderful and talented residents, and diversity, have all impacted me in a positive way. I have learned so much about working in collaboration to impact the lives of people and help create a vibrant community.
Are you married, do you have children or pets?
I am married to my husband James Williamson who serves as a member of the Palm Springs Unified Board of Education and we have a sweet and playful labradoodle puppy named Dash.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Great Neck, New York.
What is/was your profession?
I am working fulltime as a member of the City Council although I am an attorney by training. I have worked primarily as an environmental and civil rights attorney and legislative advocate both at non-profits and in government. I served as Assistant Regional Counsel for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Executive Director of Equality California, Legislative Director for the National Center of Lesbian Rights, and Director of the ACLU’s AIDS and Civil Liberties and Gay and Lesbian Rights Projects in Chicago.
What does it mean to you to be part of the first all LGBTQ city council?
What is most meaningful about the first all LGBTQ city council is that sexual orientation and gender identity were not issues in the campaign as they often are in other places. Instead, the candidates were judged on their qualifications and vision for the City.
Palm Springs has demonstrated that when people of different orientations live and work and socialize together, the so-called differences go away and our common humanity is what takes center stage.
We are truly fortunate to live in such a welcoming community.
What is the best part about serving on the PSCC?
The best part of serving on City Council is being able to help our residents and businesses. When residents have an issue they often reach out to me and I am frequently able to help them resolve the matter. By always looking at issues through the lens of what is best for Palm Springs, I hope I am ensuring that the decisions made are what is best for those who live here.
As the liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the many Palm Springs tourism organizations and the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, I am also able to work in collaboration with those who drive our economy to help increase revenue, bring more events and cultural experiences to our City and Valley, and create jobs.
Being able to work with our Sustainability Commission, residents and the Council to pass strong environmental policy has also been very rewarding as it is essential that we protect our environment.
Finally, in my position as co-chair of our Homelessness Task Force, I have had the opportunity to work with so many dedicated and selfless individuals to help those in need. The Task Force members, together with our Council and staff, has brought in new resources that has helped 100 individuals get off of the streets and into housing, employed more than 55 people, and helped many get benefits they were entitled to receive. This position is a true honor.
What do you hope to achieve while serving on the PSCC?
I hope to continue my work with our tourism and business community to continue the Palm Springs Renaissance, protect the environment, help our residents in need, and to ensure that Palm Springs remains a wonderful place to live.
What do you do for fun?
I have recently taken up tennis, which I am really enjoying, and I love hiking our gorgeous trails and playing ball with our puppy Dash!
CHRISTY HOLSTEGE — Councilmember
How do you identify?
I identify as bisexual.
How long have you been a resident of Palm Springs?
I have been a resident of Palm Springs since June 2012. I moved here the day after graduating law school to start a Stanford Public Interest Fellowship and build a domestic violence legal clinic at Shelter From the Storm. My husband, Adam Gilbert, is born and raised in Palm Springs, a graduate of PSHS, and a third generation resident on both sides of his family. They have lived here since 1971.
How has Palm Springs shaped you as a person?
The City of Palm Springs is a model city and a leader in so many areas: tourism, mid-century modern style, architecture, resort living, LGBTQ equality, sustainability, and progressive values.
I enjoy living here because of the unparalleled quality of life along with the world-class amenities that other cities of our size do not offer. Living in Palm Springs has shaped me as a person due to the wonderful people, the fantastic quality of life, and the unique business opportunities.
Are you married, do you have children or pets?
I have been dating my husband Adam for 10 years and we have been married for 2 years. We do not yet have children, though we are planning on raising kids in Palm Springs. We have a dog named Layla, who is a five-year old cockapoo, a cocker spaniel and poodle mix.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Sacramento, California. I am a third generation Californian.
What is/was your profession?
I work as an attorney at Gilbert & Bourke LLP in Palm Springs. There, I practice civil litigation, Social Security Disability, employment law, personal injury, domestic violence law, and housing law.
I focus my practice and pro bono efforts serving underserved communities of the Coachella Valley, including people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, homeless individuals, injured workers, personal injury victims, and victims of discrimination and violence.
What does it mean to you to be part of the first all LGBTQ city council?
It is extremely meaningful to play a small part in a historic moment in the history of our city and our country.
It makes sense to me that Palm Springs is the first city in the nation to elect an all LGBTQ city council, since we have acted as a safe haven where people feel like they can live authentic lives and live free of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
What is the best part about serving on the PSCC?
The outstanding staff serving our city every day, who bring long-term expertise to the issues facing our city, and the wonderful people of Palm Springs, who are extremely involved in city government. Our City Hall is inscribed with the motto “The People are the City,” and I truly believe that we have some of the best people in the world.
What do you hope to achieve while serving on the PSCC?
I plan on addressing homelessness and poverty, promoting solutions to our affordable housing crisis, supporting regional solutions on issues like climate change, investing in infrastructure and amenities for all residents to improve our quality of life, and growing and diversifying our economy to build a Palm Springs that works for all of us.
What do you do for fun?
I love to go hiking in our beautiful canyons and mountains with my husband and our dog.
LISA MIDDLETON – Councilmember
How do you identify?
Lesbian and transgender.
How long have you been a resident of Palm Springs?
Since March 2011.
How has Palm Springs shaped you as a person?
Palm Springs has given us more friends, opportunities to serve and respect than any place we have ever lived.
Are you married, do you have children or pets?
Cheryl and I were married in 2013 in our Palm Springs home with my children John and Lauren as our witnesses. We have two Palm Springs animal shelter rescue dogs – Jack and Vicki
Where did you grow up?
East LA.
What is/was your profession?
Government service. State of California
What does it mean to you to be part of the first all LGBTQ city council?
I am proud of our city and the opportunity to severe the people of this wonderful city.
What is the best part about serving on the PSCC?
Meeting and working with my colleagues our city staff the leaders of our business community and most importantly of all the people who call Palm Springs home.
What do you hope to achieve while serving on the PSCC?
Create a sustainable and responsible budget. Add public safety officers. Improve public safety on our streets. Reduce homelessness. Make Palm Springs the leader in the use of renewable energy.
What do you do for fun?
Read. Cheer on USC, the Dodgers, and the LA Kings. Create stained glass. Garden.
J.R. ROBERTS — Councilmember
How do you identify?
I Identify As A Single Gay Man.
How long have you been a resident of Palm Springs?
17 years.
How has Palm Springs shaped you as a person?
It’s caused me to think, bigger, smarter and to understand the impacts from my decisions will last for many years to come.
Are you married, do you have children or pets?
I’m single with no pets. (pretty pathetic ) My sweet French bulldog ‘moose’ died last year from cancer.
Where did you grow up?
Mostly southern California and in Birmingham Alabama.
What is/was your profession?
For most of my career I was a partner in an architecture and design practice. I’m retired, but manage my real estate portfolio.
What does it mean to you to be part of the first all LGBTQ city council?
Interesting question. I’m proud to be part of something that stands for inclusiveness and equality. I hope that sends a message to young people. But that’s where it ends.
I don’t want the message to the straight community that they will get any less access or representation. Or that we will spend all our time on gay social issues. I’m proud to work with this new group and know we can solve some bigger issues like budget, homelessness and affordable housing.
What is the best part about serving on the PSCC?
Being able to make a real difference in the lives of others. To give back at a high level tapping on all my skillsets knowing that we are contributing to our continuing success while polishing our international brand, and offering our residents and visitors the highest levels of service available. And, the little secret — It’ fun!
What do you hope to achieve while serving on the PSCC?
Complete the downtown project and new park. Have Indian Canyon be a two way street. Make substantial inroads on homelessness and affordable housing. Most importantly, grow in smart ways that don’t damage our small town character that makes us so unique and appealing.
What do you do for fun?
Go to the beach. Go to my cabin in Idyllwild. Travel, and socialize with friends. Biking and hiking. And more travel. I also love restoring vintage buildings. That, and mindless home projects.
