Palm Springs is bracing for the end of an era. From September 24th to 28th, the desert city will host the final edition of The Dinah—the legendary Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend that has defined queer women’s culture for more than three decades. What began in 1991 as a one-night party organized by Mariah Hanson during the Dinah Shore LPGA tournament has become a five-day celebration of joy, liberation, and community.
Thousands of LGBTQ women, nonbinary, and transgender people have flocked to Palm Springs each year for pool parties, concerts, and connection. Hanson explained, “The Dinah was always about creating a space where our community could live out loud…All while setting the stage for us to transcend isms.”
This year’s program will feature L Word stars Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, alongside DJs, comedians, and performers. Yet for Hanson, who is stepping down after 34 years, it’s more than entertainment. Hanson said, “This last edition isn’t just an event—it’s the culmination of spectacular years of joy, liberation, visibility, and love.” The Dinah’s legacy stretches far beyond Palm Springs. From launching sapphic artists to modeling intentional inclusivity, it has shaped queer spaces worldwide. As Hanson takes her final bow, the question remains: what comes next for large-scale queer events in America?
