Last month, police arrested a man in Brooklyn, N.Y., for allegedly knocking a lesbian woman unconscious in a subway. Officials said the suspect purposely bumped into the victim and her girlfriend while yelling anti-LGBT words such as “dyke” and “faggot.”
Jenn Anderson, a co-lead organizer for the 2017 Philly Dyke March, said these stories represent why the June 10 event exists.
“Obviously, dyke issues still need to be brought to the forefront because we’re not 100-percent accepted or recognized,” Anderson said.
The Philadelphia Dyke March will return to the city this weekend. Since 1998, the Dyke March has been an opportunity for women to march and rally.
“It’s a march, a protest, a movement,” the event’s Facebook page states, noting the protesters do not get a permit to take to the city streets.
“Too often, the LGBT community focuses on male-dominated voices,” organizers state on the page. “The Philly Dyke March is our protest in support of the dyke voice and experience, and focuses on the wants, needs and demands of our community. We march to show that we exist, that we matter and that we have a voice.”
Anderson noted that efforts for the Dyke March started earlier than in typical years. In the week leading up to the march, PDM hosted a Karaoke Happy Hour Kickoff event and the inaugural Dyke Ride, in which supporters participated in a group bike ride.
“We really want[ed] people to know what the Dyke March is about,” Anderson said. “It’s not exclusionary. You don’t have to identify as a dyke to come. People are not going to be unwelcome based on how they identify. That’s not what it’s about. That was part of the impetus behind us, trying to get out and involved right away.”
Other new initiatives PDM will participate in will include the Masculine of Center table discussion June 11, at which six panelists will discuss what it means to be “masculine of center” and other issues relating to the LGBT community.
PDM also made changes to its leadership style. In the past, positions within the organization changed each year but now leaders will hold their positions for two years.
“It has been a growing year for us,” Anderson said. “It has been a fantastic experience and we learned quite a bit.”
“It’s a really good time to get out there, be seen and be heard,” Anderson said about why the dyke community and allies should attend. “Sometimes, I feel like we tend to surround ourselves with people who are similar to us. It’s a really fantastic opportunity to get to know people and see who your community is.”
If you go …
- The rally begins 3 p.m. June 10 at Kahn Park, 1119 Pine St. The march will begin at 4 p.m.
- The PDM Official After Party will take place 6:30-10:30 p.m. June 10 at Tabu, 200 S. 12th St. Cover charge is $7.
- Masculine of Center: A Table Discussion will be held 1-3 p.m. June 11 at The Tusk, 430 South St. Admission is $10.
Visit www.facebook.com/philadelphiadykemarch for more information.