A group of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) people are organizing a march in Washington, D.C. entitled “Dykes Against Displacement” on June 7, in an effort to bring an abandoned annual event back to the city.
The Dyke March is going to address the displacement issue that is mostly affecting Black and Indigenous LGBTQ communities.
Having been held in D.C. for the first time in 1993, the action collects donations for local organizations that help displaced people in the District such as One D.C. and No Justice No Pride. However, it faded out in the District over time, despite spreading to other cities.
This June, local groups are planning to revive the tradition, following a break of over 10 years.
The Dyke March that took place in New York City last year helped raise funds for the non-profit RAICES, which offers legal assistance for immigrants.
CALLING ALL DYKES! Join us on June 7 as we shut down the streets in DC. 🚨🌈 RSVP here: https://t.co/C0mSF49dHe … pic.twitter.com/wQltSryyRZ
— DC Dyke March (@dcdykemarch) May 4, 2019
In addition to raising money for its cause, the march raises awareness about housing and gentrification problems and developing tactics against displacement.
“We want to raise awareness within our community and act in solidarity with groups that do displacement work in D.C.,” Dyke March community outreach coordinator Christen Boas Hayes told Natasha Riddle, in an interview for the Greater Greater Washington.
“When it comes to gentrifying neighborhoods, we want to make sure that we’re understanding how the broader community is impacting displacement in D.C., whether it’s the arts community or the LGBT community,” Hayes added.
Dyke March is also scheduled to be staged in many major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and Boston in the coming weeks, as well as the Canadian city of Toronto.
NYC DYKE MARCH NEEDS YOU! Dyke March marshals are a vital part of the march—they keep marchers safe from traffic, police, and homophobes. Plus they have fun and get a free t-shirt and free entry to our after party! Sign up at https://t.co/zFUOmytNfG. pic.twitter.com/4HYcf5I7WI
— NYC DYKE MARCH (@NYCDykeMarch) May 15, 2019
@WehoCares hosts The Dyke March June 7 https://t.co/x0QIozIKNu More LGBT events at https://t.co/vB1bDIF9dx Subscribe for weekly agendas via email. Like us on FB & Follow on Twitter @ourtownla @ILoveGayLA #lalgbt #nonprofit #ourtownla pic.twitter.com/LhNWcS7YKJ
— OurTownLA (@ourtownla) May 17, 2019
I'm iffy on #6 because they've reclaimed the word. Hell we have a Dyke March in Chicago every year.
Would my lesbian friends like to chime in on that tho? https://t.co/SDu0LAZtAc
— Rodi Coderage (He/Him) (@RodiRubber2018) May 9, 2019
The Toronto Dyke March welcomes all self-identified dykes as we take over the streets of Downtown Toronto and march in a grassroots political demonstration with critical mass. pic.twitter.com/yYOoGPZ7Us
— Pride Toronto (@PrideToronto) May 14, 2019