|
Mariah threw legendary parties in college where she conceived the idea to create a celebratory environment through gatherings. In 1988, she debuted Club Skirts, originally a Sunday night dance club for San Francisco/Bay Area women. She quickly branched out to a Saturday night dance club, The Girl Spot, which reached international status! In 1996, Mariah brought the Dinah concept to Northern California, and The Monterey Women’s Festival was born. A mini-Dinah, The Club Skirts Monterey Women’s Festival was held for seven years. In 2006, she partnered with girl nightclubs around the country to spread The Dinah word. Mariah completed two terms on the Board of Equality California, the non-profit organization that was pivotal in winning the marriage equality battle in California. She has served on the “Women’s Night” committee for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.
But it was in 1991 that Mariah created the world famous “The Dinah” with the intent of creating an exciting, community building, life affirming, unimaginably stellar experience for her customers. She chose the world-renowned Palm Springs Modern Art Museum to host her first Dinah. Mariah wanted Dinah goers to feel safe and inclusive, so she booked entire hotels so that they were 100% lesbian occupied, brought in national sponsors, popular national recording artists, and kept all events within walking distance. These simple but daring concepts created an empowering lesbian world within the city and catapulted the Dinah to international fame.
In 2006, after almost 15 years of unheralded success, Mariah wanted to take The Dinah to even higher levels where her customers could experience the very best in musical performances. The event had reached a stature where break out artists and seasoned artists recognized it as a venue to reach queer women and Mariah wanted to offer a higher caliber of entertainment for our community.
Over the decades she brought famous headliners like The Pussycat Dolls, India Arie, Pat Benatar, The Indigo Girls, Lizzo, Meghan Trainor, KE$HA, Chaka Khan, Lady Gaga, Salt–N–Pepa, and Katy Perry to The Dinah. She also brought in popular entertainers such as The L Word’s Leisha Hailey, Kate Moennig, and Jane Lynch.
Mariah’s vision to create an inclusive, exciting queer celebration over multiple days was complete. Thousands of women unite every year in Palm Springs in the common bond of a life affirming celebration.
Today, The Dinah is still considered the largest lesbian/queer female event in the world.
Mariah has always believed in giving back to our community. Past recipients have included The San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Community Center, GLAAD, National Center for Lesbian Rights, various lesbian film projects, HRC, Lyon Martin Health Clinic, Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Center, The Palm Springs LGBT Center (“The Center”), The L-Fund, plus many gay and lesbian politicians.
Thanks to her incredible efforts and accomplishments, Mariah received the coveted key to the city of Palm Springs, appeared in Out 100 list of influential lesbians, received numerous awards and accolades, including the nationally renowned Athena Award, a Legacy Award by Palm Springs Pride, a Lifetime Achievement award by The Center, an Achievement Award from NCLR, and now
The L-Fund’s The Bobreta Franklin Community Service Award.
The Bobreta Franklin Community Service Award – Bobreta Franklin (1945-2013), was an African American lesbian feminist and in 2012 was one of The L-Fund founders, who spent her life in love and service to her communities. The L-Fund proudly honors her memory by offering this award to lesbians whose lives and work have been similarly dedicated to the lesbian community.
|
