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Festivals for Gay Women in the USA

Gay and lesbian parades and festivals take place annually all around the globe, attracting thousands of attendees. They are aimed at promoting public awareness of gay issues, as well as providing a good time. Music festivals, arts festivals, film festivals, sports festivals and even gay motor shows are just a few of the events that are organized by gay and lesbian associations. Although aimed primarily at lesbians, many of the gay women's festivals that take place in the U.S. welcome open-minded women of all persuasions.
  1. Girl Bar Dinah Shore Weekend

    • This annual celebration for gay women takes place over a long weekend in late March/early April in Palm Springs, California. The festival is basically four days of fun and partying, with cocktail parties, pool parties and dance nights, culminating in Gurlesque on Saturday evening. There is also a comedy show, featuring lesbian comedians, and live music acts. Guests can arrange their own accommodation and purchase a weekend events pass ($225 in 2011), or take advantage of a VIP Luxury Package, which includes hotel accommodation and attendance at all of the events. In 2011, the price of a weekender VIP pass, with accommodation at the Hotel Zoso, was $599, and a 3-night pass, $899 per person.

    Michigan Womyn's Music Festival

    • This event, which takes place each August, is more than 35 years old, making it one of the longest-running women's events in the world. The festival is organized and run solely by women. Attendees camp out next to the festival grounds, and toilets and showers are provided. In return for a few hours of voluntary work at the festival, the kitchen lays on three meals a day, including vegetarian fare. Childcare facilities, disabled resources and First Aid assistance are also available. Along with live music acts, there is non-stop dancing, costume parades, performance art and workshops, a daily film festival, and craft exhibits. The festival is noted for its pageantry and spontaneous parties.

    Ohio Lesbian Festival

    • This annual lesbian festival, which takes place over a long weekend during September, is held in Kirkersville, near Columbus, Ohio. Camping is included in the ticket price, and RVs are permitted on the camping ground, although there are no hook-up facilities. The festival kitchen, which sells a wide variety of hot and cold food and beverages, is open on Saturday and Sunday, but attendees are welcome to bring their own food. Live music performances take place all weekend, and there is a dance party late on Saturday night. Memorabilia and merchandise from the festival are available to buy, as are crafts made by lesbian artists. In 2010, advance tickets cost $60 for two days and $65 for three days, and tickets bought at the gate were $65 and $75 dollars, respectively.

    Silver Threads Celebration

    • This festival is an annual event for lesbian singles and couples over the age of 50. The four-day celebration is held in January at Dolphin Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida. During the day, there are all kinds of workshops, including astrology and ballroom dance classes, presentations and speed dating, as well as plenty of free time for shopping, socializing and swimming. Evening events for 2011 included a comedy show, a costume dinner dance, and a Hawaiian-themed last-night party, complete with hula competition. Hotel discounts are normally available for Silver Threads attendees.

Music Festivals

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