African-American Lesbians

African-American Lesbians and lesbians of color find themselves in a unique situation; that of being outside. Not only outside their own ethnic community but outside the gay community in the sense of being a player in the decision-making process that sets the political and social tone of the community. This is just one of the topics that will be discussed at Lucy and Gail’s Party in the Desert over the Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs. Hundreds of lesbians of color will congregate not only for a fabulous four–day party but for a stimulating cultural experience that reinforces and validates the African-American lesbian experience as well as that of other lesbians of color.

African-American lesbians and lesbians of color are not a common site at the Dinah Shore weekend. It is a gathering of predominately young white women who make a week in Palm Springs akin to spring break in Daytona. Everyone has a good time and goes home to come back again for another Dinah Shore Weekend. Lucy and Gail have taken the concept of the Dinah Shore Weekend and created an event that is designed not only to attract African-American lesbians to the Dinah Shore with parties but also to cater to their intellectual and cultural needs once they arrive.

Since there are very few media outlets for African-American lesbians and lesbians of color to exchange ideas, it is Lucy and Gail’s philosophy that no opportunity should be missed that allows for a dialogue. Therefore, culture and conversation play a large part in the Dinah Shore Weekend as produced by Lucy and Gail. There are Mexican singers, African-American poets, Korean drummers, and other cultural performers whose acts bind the women together in an appreciation of their heritage.

When African-American lesbians and women of color attend Lucy and Gail’s Party in the Desert over the Dinah Shore weekend each year, they hopefully leave having been to “more than a party.”