This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon.

[0:30] Robert Bannon: I want to know why I'm not going to Palm Springs for this festival. I want to know why I've never taken my husband to Palm because I've had some times in Palm Springs that are a good old time. I love everything gay. I love everything a part of the LGBTQIA plus community. I love everything that our next guest is doing. She's a boss. Yeah, she's a boss bitch lady. And that's what she's doing. Let's go. Let's go. I want to know about her family. I want to know about her partner. I want to know about selling a house. I'm ready for the whole Rose Garcia experience. And she's here. Thank you so much for that. After hearing all of that, I just got tired. I'm like, do I really do all those things? I need to take a nap.

[1:20] Rose Garcia: You do. You do. What do you describe yourself as your job title? Who are you? What are you? What do you do? I think it's evolved now where I'm just, you know, an entrepreneur and have always been a community advocate and member and have done so many things for the community. After doing The Real L Word, it sort of catapulted me into the spotlight where, you know, the visibility and, you know, being a Latina, you know, Catholic woman on this, you know, big screen, you know, docuseries many years ago put me in that platform to sort of just, you know, be on the forefront of community advocacy. And that's kind of what I did. Throwing in some party time in there to, you know, reaching out to the community by way of parties.

[2:09] Rose Garcia: Well, you know, what moves me is this Italian Catholic little gay boy here. I love how you have been very upfront and honest. You know, that's a conscious choice. I mean, some people, it's a very easy choice. Some people, the journey to live out loud is not as easy and as simple for everybody that's in the community. What made you make that part of the things you fight for and what made you so open and honest about it?

[2:33] Rose Garcia: I think, honestly, the way you touched upon it, coming from a Catholic background, for me, it's not necessarily so much about the religion, but more like family togetherness because that's kind of what it's about, right? You know, the holidays, Easter and Christmas and things of that sort. It's just what I resonated and what our family, you know, was built on and what brought us together. And when I did The Real L Word, I was already accepted by my old school Catholic grandma. You know, that was kind of a thing where she just her mentality was just like, oh, I don't really want to see it or know about it, but I love you. And as I grew up and, you know, was unapologetically myself, then it was like, OK, well, you know what?

This didn't really change who you are. You know, you're still a good kid. You're still a good person. And I actually, you know, this isn't I don't have a problem with this like I thought I would. And it changed, you know, her old school mentality as it did many members of my family. And I think putting that on TV was really important for a lot of folks out there that were in the same position that I was in.

[3:43] Robert Bannon: I think that's beautiful. It makes me think of my grandma. We lost my grandmother last year and one of the last conversations I had with her, she said, where's your man? I love your man. That's a big evolution for a 94 year old. When you bring home a six foot five Detroit black dude and say, that's my husband, she's that is not her world. You know, that's that. And she evolved. And I think we have to give yourself credit for helping people become more modern and ushering us into this, ushering new people into the community. So you decide to do The Real L Word. You're an inspiration on the show. You do the show. You get a lot of people who follow you, watch you. I'm sure you hear from people all the time that you were around.

[4:26] Rose Garcia: All this time. So my friend Eileen Chaykin, who's the creator of The L Word and who created The Real L Word, we're personal friends. And, you know, it just sort of was like, hey, I think you're interesting. We're going to, you know, send a film crew and just kind of see how things evolve. And if we feel there's a story to tell there and it just worked out where there was at the time, I was a party crazy person and had this family side that they really wanted to show. So it was just like, OK, we have an interesting person here and never thought it would resonate with our community the way it did, you know, 15 years or so later. It's still on Hulu and all these places and we still get, you know, DMs and emails from people just saying, like, I just saw this, you know, from all over the world. So I had a little bit of regret because I was a little crazy and, you know, party.

[5:22] Rose Garcia: That's reality TV. It's good TV. But then, you know, the fact that it was received so positively and, you know, put me in this place in our community, I have zero regrets. I'm just happy I did it.

[5:38] Robert Bannon: I love it. We all need a little messy party time in our life.

[5:42] Rose Garcia: Exactly.

[5:43] Robert Bannon: That's a part of our life. That's growing up. That's it.

[5:46] Rose Garcia: So that's it. So for you, you sell you have a real estate business and you've been selling houses. And are you I don't know this answer, but are you primarily in the Palm Springs area or in the Palm Springs area?

[6:00] Rose Garcia: I'm in Los Angeles and I started selling real estate at a very, very young age with my aunt, who was my mentor. And then I took a break for a while. Then I got my license and I've been doing it. This is my 25th year. So it's been a long time.

[6:20] Rose Garcia: And that is a good, a good business, a good networking, you need to be a good people person, you have to be very smart, you have to know what you're talking about. My husband just completed his license and it is an amazing world because you help people buy that you help people buy a house like that's the coolest thing ever. We're changing people's lives. You're giving them you're a part of the biggest transaction they're ever going to make in their lives next to having a kid.

[6:47] Rose Garcia: Right. And a mortgage is 30 years. A kid's 18, 24 if they go to college and that's it. But yeah, it's something I love doing because I connect with people and I've met so many people through this business and also the community. I have a lot of clients and friends that have trusted me to help them along the way.

[7:07] Robert Bannon: Oh, if I was buying a house in L.A., I'm coming to you. So my question to you is my question to you is the Dinah as in Dinah Shore and this festival that is up in Palm Springs, which you're not even allowed to be gay if you've never been to Palm Springs, people, you better go to Palm Springs. I mean, they have a whole street of gay, et cetera, and of queer life. I mean, you could go to Gay's R Us store right there in the middle of Palm Springs. If you have never been there, this is the perfect opportunity. What is the festival? Why did you decide to jump in here?

[7:39] Rose Garcia: So the festival's been going on for 35 years. Mariah Hansen, who is the creator of the festival, has a huge history with Palm Springs and started this based on the famous Dinah Shore golf tournament. Right. All the lesbians were going out there to golf and watch golf and do all the golfy lesbian things. And she had this brilliant idea of having this party around this tournament. And I don't think I think when she first did it, she didn't know that it would turn into this huge production. I mean, she has had Lady Gaga, Chaka Khan, Taylor Dayne, Meghan Trainor, Fletcher. I can go on and on with the folks that she's had. Katy Perry, Bebe Rexha. I mean, I can go on. It's so many people that she's brought to Palm Springs and to the Dinah.

And 35 years, it's just it was kind of a no brainer to jump in. You know, when she decided to step down and to sell the brand, I didn't think about going after it at all until my name was thrown in the room a few times. And at that point, I'm like, let me just think about this. And she and I had a nice conversation. And, you know, we just align. You know, I respect her for what she built and what she did. And I always tell her the Dinah is always going to be yours no matter what, because how do you take three? I mean, this is Mariah's Dinah, right? I'm just picking it up and continuing her legacy, a beautiful legacy that is. And it's just it's just an honor. It's just one of those things that just it felt right.

I don't have any other explanation other than, you know, when the opportunity, you know, presented itself, it just felt it felt right. And my partner, Bella, worked on the back end on a bunch of the stuff on the Dinah. And so when she wanted to jump in, it felt right to let her come in and for us to create this great partnership. And that's where we're at today. And Mariah is still heavily involved. You know, it's still her baby. So in between her pickleball and golf games and her beautiful retired life, you know, I'm like, can you help us with this? You know, do you have advisement on that? And she's been a wonderful, you know, partner of still helping us make this year a successful year.

[10:01] Robert Bannon: I saw the lineup. You have incredible lineup of people there. You have everything from hip hop to pop music. If you're if you're older like me, you're going to see Da Brat. If you're a youngster, you got the young you got the hip hop superstar like you. You have pop royalty. Like you have the up and coming all the way to the nostalgia of it all. So it's for everybody, any age, any who is the audience, who is allowed, who should feel welcome to come.

[10:26] Rose Garcia: So that's the thing about that's the thing about the Dinah 35 years. Right. So this thing goes from age 21 to age 71, like because of the years that it's been around. So part of putting that lineup together, I had to be aware of the fact that we have a ton of folks that have never been and it's their first time and folks that have gone, you know, 20, 25 times, you know, like I'm 25 plus years of going to the Dinah. So when we're creating, you know, this lineup, you need to take that into account. And, you know, I know Mariah has been trying to get Hayley Kiyoko for many years and she's the one that said you need to go after Hayley, get Hayley. She's having a big moment, a big year with her movie out, you know, go after it, go after Hayley and call her team and make it happen. So thankful they were cooperative and, you know, love the Dinah and Dinah's mission.

[11:18] Robert Bannon: Welcome back to The Roundtable! I am so excited to have Rose Garcia here with me today. Rose is a reality television favorite, an entrepreneur, and a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She’s here to celebrate a new era of The Dinah, the legendary music festival that has been bringing people together for 35 years. Rose, welcome!

[11:48] Rose Garcia: Thank you so much for having me, Robert! I’m thrilled to be here and to talk about The Dinah.

[12:18] Robert Bannon: So, for those who might not know, The Dinah is not just a party; it’s a celebration of queer women and a place where community is built. Can you tell us a bit about what The Dinah means to you personally?

[12:48] Rose Garcia: Absolutely! The Dinah has been a huge part of my life for decades. It’s a space where queer women can come together, celebrate who they are, and create lasting friendships. It’s about empowerment and joy, and I’m so proud to be part of its legacy.

[13:18] Robert Bannon: And now you’re stepping into this exciting new role as co-owner alongside Bella Barkow. What inspired this transition for you?

[13:48] Rose Garcia: It’s been a dream come true! I’ve attended The Dinah for years, and to now be in a position to help shape its future is incredible. Bella and I share a vision of making The Dinah even more inclusive and fabulous, and we’re ready to take it to the next level!

[14:18] Robert Bannon: That’s amazing! This year’s festival is happening from September 30 to October 4 in Palm Springs. What can attendees expect from this year’s lineup?

[14:48] Rose Garcia: We’re going BIG this year! We have an incredible lineup featuring artists like Hayley Kiyoko, Da Brat, The Aces, and so many more. Plus, we have comedians like Cameron Esposito and Pink Foxx. It’s going to be a celebration like no other!

[15:18] Robert Bannon: It sounds like a blast! Beyond the music and parties, what do you think makes The Dinah so special for the community?

[15:48] Rose Garcia: The Dinah is a safe haven for queer women. It’s a place where they can be themselves without judgment. The connections made here are lifelong, and the sense of belonging is truly powerful. It’s about celebrating our identities and finding our tribe.

[16:18] Robert Bannon: I love that! It’s so important to create spaces where people feel they belong. How do you envision the future of The Dinah under your leadership?

[16:48] Rose Garcia: I see a future where The Dinah continues to grow and evolve while staying true to its roots. We want to expand our reach and include even more voices and experiences. It’s about creating a festival that reflects the diversity of our community.

[17:18] Robert Bannon: That’s a beautiful vision! As someone who has been part of The Dinah family for so long, what has been your most memorable moment at the festival?

[17:48] Rose Garcia: Oh, there are so many! But one that stands out is when I first attended as a fan. The energy, the love, and the sense of community were overwhelming. It was a transformative experience for me, and it’s what drives me to give back now.

[18:18] Robert Bannon: That’s so inspiring! It’s clear that The Dinah holds a special place in your heart. What message do you want to share with those who are considering attending for the first time?

[18:48] Rose Garcia: I would say, come with an open heart and mind! You’ll find a community that welcomes you with open arms. It’s a place to celebrate yourself and connect with others who share similar experiences. You won’t regret it!

[19:18] Robert Bannon: That’s fantastic advice! For those listening, how can they get tickets and find more information about The Dinah?

[19:48] Rose Garcia: You can visit our website for all the details on tickets and the lineup. We can’t wait to see everyone in Palm Springs!

[20:18] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much, Rose! I’m excited for The Dinah and can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve.

[20:48] Rose Garcia: Thank you, Robert! I appreciate the opportunity to share our story.

[21:18] Robert Bannon: Absolutely! And for everyone listening, make sure to check out The Dinah and support this incredible celebration of queer women.

[21:48] Rose Garcia: Yes, we hope to see you all there!

[22:18] Robert Bannon: Until next time, keep celebrating and supporting each other!