Gregory T. Angelo is executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans. Submitted photo

Republican Party leaders aren’t as ready to support marriage equality as many had hoped. The Republican National Committee unanimously voted Friday (April 12) to reaffirm its longstanding definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman.

The vote comes less than a month after RNC Chairman Reince Priebus called for party members to have greater tolerance for gay rights as the committee tries to re-establish the GOP as a party of the future. And in February, more than 100 high-profile Republicans signed a brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to recognize marriage as a constitutional right for gay Americans.

Despite these recent efforts, only 27 percent of Republican citizens support marriage equality, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. That’s significantly fewer than 53 percent of Americans overall. Some say the RNC’s vote reflects the party’s base.

However, other members of the GOP continue to rally behind same-sex marriage, including the party’s gay component, the Log Cabin Republicans. Prior to the RNC’s quarterly meeting in Los Angeles, where the vote was taken, the Log Cabin Republicans’ executive director Gregory T. Angelo sent a letter to Priebus that warned against the party reverting to its stance against same-sex marriage.

“No one was expecting the GOP to change its platform position on marriage at this meeting,” the letter states, “but clearly those in opposition to equality feel threatened by the growing numbers of Republicans who support the freedom to marry. … any reaffirmation of the party platform isn’t going to stop more Republicans from joining their colleagues on the right side of history.”

Tegan and Sara. Photo courtesy of teganandsara.com

By J. Everette Perry

There’s nothing like the smell of freshly cut denim and Hawaiian Tropic sun block to get you in the mood for the hot daze of Coachella Fest. The world’s most talked-about music festival — April 12-14 and 19-21 at Empire Polo field, 81-800 Ave. 51 in Indio — is like a magnet, attracting hipsters and rock stars from all corners of the Earth. Join the party as they’re transformed into sweaty, ecstatic dancers gyrating to rhythmic beats. Sounds like the White Party, right? It’s totally not. But there are a slew of LGBT musicians this year at Coachella setting the tone for more guys to take off their shirts and drunk gals to start making out with one another. From fierce fems to guitar-slinging hotties, here’s our pick of performers expected to have everyone’s hips swaying a little more liberally this year.

TEGAN AND SARA

These identical twin lesbian sisters play guitar, keyboards and write their own music. They are like Ace of Base meets New Kids on the Block with a slight Canadian accent. Their new album has hit No. 3 on the U.S. charts, prompting their indie followers to accuse them of going pop.

Quote: On bringing girlfriends home: “My grandfather just likes to flirt with our girlfriends. He likes having hot girls around.”

Songs: “Closer” & “Back In Your Head”

LA ROUX

Her androgynous style and ginger pompadour will catch your eye, but it’s her haunting voice and electro pop style that will keep you around till the end of her set.

Quote: “I don’t belong to the gay or straight society… I’m not saying I’m bisexual, I’m just sexual.”

Songs to listen for: “Bulletproof” & “In for the Kill”

ROSTAM BATMANGLIJ of Vampire Weekend

Uniquely timed vocals, featuring little waves and quick pauses, give his voice a harp-like quality. When starting his career, he passed out CDs he’d burned to top bloggers, building a huge on-line presence and gaining a record deal for Vampire Weekend.

Lyric: “That night I smoked a joint/With my best friend/ We found ourselves in bed/ When I woke up he was gone.”

Songs: “A-Punk” & “Diane Young”

JON POR “JONSI” BIRGISSON of Sigur Ros

The Icelandic post-rock band incorporates long instrumental slides and a soothing made-up language in a minimalist approach that will put you under an ethereal trance.

Quote: “Growing up gay in Iceland, I didn’t know anybody else like me … I fell in love all the time, with all of my friends. That made for lots of … drama and so much misunderstanding.”

Songs: “Hoppipolla” & “Track 4”

ED DROSTE of Grizzly Bear

This Brooklyn quartet is a modern twist on an old doo-wop style, harmonizing prominent vocals to both classic and electronic instruments.

Fun Fact: Droste, a self-professed bottom, named the band after a fuzzy ex-boyfriend.

Songs: “Gun-Shy” & “Two Weeks”

RICH MOREL from Deathfix

Morel’s husky voice melts over soft metal rifts like the resurgence of a great band from the ’80s. The band has an electro-punk vibe that, mixed with Morel’s style, draws a pretty diverse crowd.

Quote: On the sound of his music: “(As) the only gay guy in the group … it’s super dramatic in a progressive rock kind of way. It’s eerie, but not off-putting.”

Songs: “Low Lying Dreams” & “Better Than Bad”

For performance times, passes and other acts scheduled at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, go to www.coachella.com.

Desert Outlook celebrated its first year of publication as the greater Palm Springs area’s monthly LGBT news and culture magazine April 6 at Just Fabulous. Many thanks to everyone who attended the anniversary reception, and especially our host Stephen Monkarsh of Just Fabulous, and sponsors California Pizza Kitchen and Tulip Hill Winery.

It was awesome to see so much support for the magazine. We remain appreciative of our amazing readers, writers, photographers, advertisers and all the LGBT people and allies whose incredible stories we have the privilege of sharing. There’s a lot more to come this year. Keep reading.

See our photo album from the reception on Facebook at  http://on.fb.me/14SraN8 or Facebook.com/DesertOutlook.

Patrons at The Clinic in downtown Palm Springs on April 3 bask in the new bar's ambiance. Submitted photo.

A new alternative-style lounge is giving Palm Springs residents and visitors a nightlife option with a big-city vibe.

The Clinic has been open for about a week from 3 p.m. until late-night, at 188 S. Indian Canyon Drive. Co-owner and “face” of the bar Brook Ortiz says the hours will likely change in the near future — opening at noon on weekends but retaining the 3 p.m. start Monday through Thursday.

“I want people to feel like they might be in a more urban environment, but with Palm Springs flair,” Ortiz says. “Our customers keep saying it feels like New York.”

Ortiz expects weekends will have more of a party vibe than weekday nights. For example, “our soundtrack kind of sits on the edge of the mainstream – familiar but just a little different.”

The Clinic, which is owned by New Style Entertainment LLC, was designed by Dan Polinak of Desert Wolff Design with lighting and audio by Joe Antillon of XIL Sound and Light.

A grand opening is planned for 8 p.m. April 12.

In other nightlife news, the once-popular Palm Springs supper club Blame It On Midnight is back. It reopened March 27 at 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way under the guidance of new owner Mel Frank, who also owns Score bar downtown. The restaurant offers a diverse menu with occasional live entertainment. It’s open from 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Clinic visitors saddle up to the bar for libations and socializing. Submitted photo.