Meet The CA Woman Behind The Biggest Lesbian Party In The World

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- Mariah Hanson has always had big dreams for the world. Growing up in Mill Valley, Calif., Hanson saw her mother, Elizabeth, fight for civil rights every day of her life. A passionate being, her mother often spoke to her six children about the importance of equality and diversity in a world that often fought it.

Years later, Hanson, who now calls Sonoma home, likes to believe she is living the dream her mother had for her: To lobby for a society that embraces all people.

Hanson is the creator of The Dinah, a five-day music festival that brings more than 15,000 lesbians from around the world to Palm Springs every spring. On the outskirts, it may look like a massive booze-filled party, but to the attendees, The Dinah is a place of belonging.

The LGBTQ event was created in 1990 with the goal of offering lesbians a place to celebrate their identities. The Dinah has ignited such a spark in the LGBTQ community that Hanson has been widely recognized for her ability to empower others.

“I realized I had an incredible platform to initiate positive change,” Hanson said. “We are committed to creating an empowering environment, both in-house and to our customers, that presents a world where you can be as big as your dreams.”

Hanson scouted Palm Springs as the home for The Dinah after learning about other LGBTQ events in the city. But, the organization of the event did not come without its challenges.

“When I first created this event, it was very hard to find a space for LGBTQ members who were actually out,” said Hanson, who received the Spirit of Stonewall Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. “I remember hotel staff actually being asked if they were willing to work the event based on their religious or political views.”

But, Hanson was determined to give lesbians a place to celebrate who they were so she continued to lobby for The Dinah. Twenty-eight years later, her vision is not only a reality, but it has become a powerful economic force in the southern California city that relies heavily on tourism.

“This event has shifted the way the city thinks of us,” Hanson said. “That may not be acceptable by some people, but to me, there’s so many roads to roam that it doesn’t matter how we get there when we fight for equality.”

The five-day celebration, which takes place Mar. 28 to April 1 this year, has attracted notable talent such as Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Kesha, among others.

It’s also attracted the young woman who was disowned by her parents after she told them she was a lesbian. And, the service member who arrived at the event after fighting in Desert Storm. And, the cancer patient whose dying wish was to be around other like-minded people and to feel accepted.

“We hear stories every year of why they are there,” Hanson said. “These are the voices of our customers who need so desperately a sense of community. These are the voices of people who really need a place where they can believe in themselves and the greater good.”

These voices, along with her all-female staff of 40, motivate Hanson each year to produce The Dinah.

“I have to give (the staff) so much credit for inspiring my message and living my message that has now become our message,” Hanson said. “There are some really, beautiful, powerful women who work with me. They are unsung heroes.”

As Hanson celebrates the 28th anniversary of The Dinah, she hopes to inspire the next generation of lesbian activists. In fact, she said she has staff members who are committed to producing The Dinah when she can no longer lead the event.

“This event will thrive in another 30 years because we need to carry on this message of inclusion and celebration,” Hanson said. “I hope people realize the beauty and importance of the feminine voice and in creating balance in this world.”

“This message will never grow old.”

--Courtesy photo