By Mariya Stangl
Dinah Shore, known to regulars as the Dinah, took place over the weekend in Palm Springs. The event claims to be the “world’s largest lesbian party,” and while I’m not sure if that’s 100% accurate, it was certainly the largest all-women (trans included) gathering I’d ever seen. It’s clear that thousands of women flock from SF, LA and across the country for the event.
Think of it as San Francisco’s Pride weekend, but an all-girl spring-break edition.
Most people arrive in time for the “opening party” on Thursday night at a funky venue in a strip mall in downtown Palm Springs, which one attendee said looked like “a prom in Vegas,” complete with a rainbow-balloon archway above the entrance. And just like prom, people go hard over Dinah weekend. It brings people out of their shells, their comfort zones and, sometimes, out of their minds with partying.
Every day starts with a giant pool party at the Hilton Hotel (which hosts the event) that lasts all day until 6:00 p.m.
Followed by a different-themed party in the evening.
Friday night was the legendary Pink Party, where headliners included former M.I.A. drummer Madame Gandhi and hip-hop artist Jessie Reyez.
Overall, the weekend is one that everyone in the lesbian community—especially in California—looks forward to every year. A place to soak in the rays and celebrate the amazing, collective gay energy.
