Peter Daut: Finding 🏡 Home, ❤️ Love, and 🏳️‍🌈 Pride in Palm Springs

Palm Springs Pride 2025 is set to be a celebration of love, resilience, and community and this year’s Community Grand Marshal embodies all three. KESQ anchor Peter Daut has spent his career telling stories, but now he’s sharing his. From childhood trips that made the desert feel like home, to meeting his husband here on Halloween night, to embracing Palm Springs’ balance of serenity and vibrancy, Peter’s journey is as personal as it is public. In this conversation, he reflects on the meaning of Pride, his deep connection to the desert, and why this community continues to inspire him.

Peter, congratulation on being named Community Grand Marshal of this year Palm Spring Pride Parade.  What does this honor mean to you?

Thanks so much! It's a deeply meaningful honor. Pride is about visibility, love, and resilience, and to be recognized as part of that story feels incredibly humbling. Palm Springs has such a rich history of embracing and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, and I'm proud to stand alongside so many who have paved the way. For me, this moment is about honoring that legacy, celebrating how far we've come, and continuing to inspire hope, joy, and belonging for the next generation.

You and your family have been coming to the desert for a long time.  When did you first feel connected to it?

I first felt connected to the desert as a child. Every time we came out here to visit, it felt magical-- like a place where people could truly relax, have fun, and be themselves. That sense of joy and freedom stayed with me, and that's why I continued coming back here as an adult. The desert has always felt like home, a place that recharges me and reminds me of the beauty of living in the moment.

You’ve lived in LA, Charlotte, and Dallas.  What made you want to live here and why is it special?

Yeah, I've been fortunate to live in some amazing cities across the country, but the desert has always had a unique pull on me. There's something about the light, the mountains, and the sense of community here that you can't find anywhere else. Palm Springs is both peaceful and vibrant-- it's a place where people come to celebrate life, and that energy is contagious. What makes it so special is the balance: it offers relaxation and serenity, but also this incredible spirit of inclusivity and joy. That combination makes it feel like home in a way no other place has.

You met your husband here in Palm Springs (not on an app).  How did that happen?

Ha! It's true-- we didn't meet on an app, we met the old-fashioned way... in a parking lot! It was Halloween night back in 2019. I was heading to Arenas dressed as Clark Kent, and he was a pirate. We started chatting right outside the restaurant Rooster and the Pig, and what could have been just a passing moment turned into the start of the most important relationship of my life. It still makes me smile that on that night dedicated to tricks and treats, I got the best treat of all.

What do you and Dave love about living in the desert?

What Dave and I love most about living in the desert is the lifestyle that it gives us. He's originally from Australia (he just got his U.S. citizenship), so he sees the desert with fresh eyes-- the natural beauty and sense of community here really resonate with him. Now, as a successful realtor in La Quinta, he gets to help others discover what makes this place so special, which is really cool. For us, it's the simple joys-- relaxing by our pool, spending time with our two rescue dogs, and soaking in the beauty of the mountains. Even during the hot summer months, we find it's part of the charm-- it encourages us to slow down, stay cool, and really appreciate the peaceful rhythm of desert life.

What do you think are some common misconceptions about the desert?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about the desert is that it's only for retirees and older people. Especially after the pandemic, that could not be further from the truth. The desert has such a vibrant energy-- it's full of young creatives, entrepreneurs, and people who are drawn here for the lifestyle and sense of community. There's incredible culture, dining, and events happening all the time, and it really attracts people of all ages who want to enjoy life in a beautiful setting. It's not just a place to retire-- it's truly a place to live.

What are your favorite go-to places?

That's such a tough question because there are so many great spots in the desert. I love taking the tram-- it's such a unique experience to go from the warm desert floor to cool mountain air in just minutes. We love to have cocktails at the top, looking down at the spectacular view. For dining, a few of my go-to favorites are Piero's Pizza Vino on El Paseo in Palm Desert for a relaxed night out; Adobe Grill at the La Quinta Resort for its amazing atmosphere and tableside guacamole; and John Henry's Cafe in Palm Springs-- where I'll admit, I go straight for the pork chop every time. When it comes to nightlife, I love Blackbook on Arenas. It has such a fun, welcoming vibe and really reflects the spirit of Palm Springs.

Peter is a six-time Emmy-Award-winning journalist, who currently solo anchors the 4 and 6:30PM newscasts for KESQ News Channel 3.