DIVA speaks to the producer of the world-famous sapphic getaway that has been going for three decades
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY THE DINAH
The Dinah is more than a music festival – it’s a movement. For the last 34 years, thousands of LGBTQIA+ women, non-binary people and allies have flocked to Palm Springs for a getaway of a lifetime. Featuring acts like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, The Dinah has been one of the pillars of sapphic culture for three decades.
So who’s behind this iconic festival? LGBTQIA+ trailblazer Mariah Hanson. For the last 34 years, it has been Mariah’s guiding wisdom that has cultivated The Dinah into the beast that it is today. After founding the celebration in 1991, Mariah is now stepping away from producing the world-famous celebration and passing the torch on to the next generation.
Ahead of The Dinah’s Grand Finale this year (24–29 September), which will see Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey do an exclusive book signing, DIVA spoke to Mariah about the last three decades of bringing light to the LGBTQIA+ community.
After 34 years of creating such a powerful cultural institution, what emotions are you experiencing as you prepare to take your final bow?
It’s honestly a mix of deep gratitude and surreal reflection. I feel incredibly proud – not just of what we built, but of the lives it’s touched. There’s this quiet, powerful joy in knowing The Dinah has been a space where people felt seen, celebrated, and free. It’s emotional, of course, but more than anything, it feels complete – like a beautiful chapter coming to a natural, powerful.
When you first started The Dinah in 1991, how did you imagine it changing the lives of LGBTQIA+ people?
Back then, I just knew we needed a place to be us – loud, proud, joyful, messy, real. I wanted to create something that felt like home, especially for queer women who didn’t see themselves reflected anywhere. I imagined The Dinah becoming a kind of chosen family reunion – a space where you could dance, flirt, cry, fall in love, fall out of love, and still come back and belong. I hoped it would be life-changing, but I never imagined it would become this iconic.
The Dinah has launched the careers of major artists like Lady Gaga, Lizzo, and Doechii. What has guided your instinct in recognizing emerging talent?
Honestly? I listen with my gut. It’s less about trend and more about presence – that “it factor” you can’t fake. And to have a powerful back story of resilience or overcoming challenges always helps as the passion comes through in the music. I’ve always looked for artists who don’t just want a stage, but who want to say something with it. The Dinah has always been about more than entertainment – it’s about boldness.
How do you define the cultural legacy of The Dinah – and what are you most proud of?
The legacy is joy. It’s resistance through celebration. It’s proof that creating a space for queer women, for queer people, to gather and shine – matters. We built a cultural moment that became a movement. I’m most proud of how many people came to The Dinah and left changed – stronger, freer, more themselves. That’s the legacy: not just the party, but the power behind it.
Was there a moment along the way that made you realise The Dinah had become more than a music festival and was now a movement?
Yes – and it wasn’t about the big headliners or the press. It was in the quiet moments: when someone told me they came out because of The Dinah. When a fan said they met their wife at our pool party. When someone showed up alone for the first time and left with a chosen family. That’s when I realised this wasn’t just about music or nightlife – it was about belonging. That’s when I knew we’d created something much bigger than any of us.
Tickets and full event details are available now at www.thedinah.com
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