The question on everyone’s lips (well at least on lesbian ones) is what comes next after the Grand Final Event of The Dinah this September?  Mariah Hanson, who founded the event in 1991 and  who has been the pioneering force behind it ever since, is stepping down.  Under her leadership, The Dinah became the world’s largest and longest-running music festival for queer women and nonbinary people, and has been a groundbreaking 34-year chapter in LGBTQ+ cultural history.

Hanson originally conceived The Dinah as a grassroots weekend event, but it grew into a global destination for thousands of LGBTQ+ attendees, featuring pool parties, concerts, and performances by rising and iconic queer artists. What I didn’t know (and why would I as just a mere gay man…lol) that the event became a launchpad for artists such as Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Katy Perry,

Bebe Rexha, and Doechii—each booked by Hanson before achieving mainstream success. Now she is, judging by the line-up that has just been announced, going out with a bang.  This year, expect to see L Word legends Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, queer rap goddess Princess Nokia, dance floor queen Crystal Waters, alt-pop disruptor SkyDxddy, heartbreak serenader Xana, and returning sweetheart Mariah Counts, just to name a few. 

In a statement, Hanson said “If The Dinah has ever touched your heart, brought you joy, or helped you feel seen — I invite you to join me one last time as I close out my Dinah career and celebrate 34 years of unforgettable memories, community, and cultural impact. While my Dinah chapter is ending, the future is full of possibilities in new hands. I hope that this beloved torch is carried forward — so The Dinah can thrive for another 34 years and beyond.”