Dinah Shore Creator Mariah Hanson Says Farewell to Dinah Shore in 2025

PHOTO CREDIT: The Fab Femme

It’s officially the end of an era. If you’ve been out and about in the queer community throughout the years, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about The Dinah Shore at least once!

Established by founder Mariah Hanson in 1991, The Dinah has become one of the most well known sapphic weekends in the world. Fostering a safe and fun environment for queer women over the span of three decades, The Dinah and Mariah are well respected and loved within the community.

PHOTO CREDIT: The Fab Femme

One of the key factors that makes The Dinah Shore so unique is the fact that it’s heavily based around music. From up and coming headliners to established musicians, The Dinah stage has been graced by everyone from Lady Gaga to Jessie Reyez. Dinah also hosts a very popular “battle of the DJ’s” segment featuring talented queer DJ’s from all over the country, as well as a queer comedy show including a lineup of well known LGBTQ comedians.

While the OG Dinah curators will be missed, Mariah also shared that she will be passing the torch to a new person to ensure the Dinah Shore legacy lives on.

"After 34 unforgettable years. I'm stepping away from producing this world-famous celebration of queer joy, freedom, and connection. It's been the honor of a lifetime to help create space where our community could be bold, wild, and unapologetically ourselves," says Hanson.

"I've often been asked when I would pass the torch. I never had a specific answer — only that I'd know when the moment felt right. And now, the time is right.

It's time for a new generation to bring their vision, energy, and heart to this legacy and take it even further. That's my deepest hope.

Mariah, thank you and your team for all you’ve done for the community as well as for queer media outlets and goers alike. We appreciate you and will continue to embrace The Dinah Shore legacy moving forward!

P.S. Thanks for being our first big time media partner in the queer community. We’ll never forget The Dinah Shore!