The night before Gay Pride, in cities all over the nation, there are Dyke Marches. Women congregate, hold hands, hold signs, and hold themselves proudly as they march through their city. This year in Portland, the Dyke March is scheduled for Friday, June 18.
Many people might not know about the Dyke March here in Portland, so Sarah Holmes has kindly answered a few questions for us about the event.
First, a little history about the event.
I asked Sarah when it all started. She told me, "This is our fifth annual event! I can't believe we've come so far, and grown so much since the first year! It all started in June of 2005 - a few friends (Jill Barkley, Melissa Heckman and Sarah Holmes) wanted to help rebuild some of the local dyke community that had been lost when Portland's only lesbian bar, Sisters, closed. That first year, we signed up in the Southern Maine Pride Parade as the Dyke March Walking Contingent. We showed up at Monument Square that year for the pride parade and started talking to dykes we knew and asking them to walk with us, and about 50 women did! We even won the Southern Maine Pride Ruby Slipper Award that year!"
June 2006 was the first year that the Dyke March was its own official event, separate from the Saturday Pride Events, Sarah clarified. That year there was about 150 people, but last year's estimate was about 500. So, the event continues to grow.
Next, I wanted to know who participated. Is it just loud lesbians?
As Sarah put it, "The Portland, Maine Dyke March is for dykes and the people who love them." This includes the trans community, any bisexual women, and anyone who identifies in any way as dyke or women-loving. It is also important to note that this event is ALL AGES. Sarah exclaims that this event attracts "middle and high school aged youth to retirees!" If there is alcohol involved at any event, proper ID is always required and diligently checked.
Everything costs money, especially growing events like the Dyke March. How is money raised for it?
"It will cost us about $1300 this year to put on the June 18th event," the committee estimates. Many local business and individuals sponsor the event. There are also fund-raising events throughout the year, like regular Dyke March Parties at the North Star Music Cafe, and Drag King Shows at Styxx. One of the most exciting fund-raising activities comes from the raffle put on at the After Party. Sarah tells me that some of the amazing prizes include, gift certificates to Nomia Boutique, Peek-A-Boo Tattoo, tickets to the Kings of the Hill Show, the Portland LIFE Party and Styxx on Saturday night of Pride weekend, massage and body work, tax prep services, and more.
I wanted to know if the event has ever gotten any notable, negative attention.
Unfortunately, as Sarah tells me, in 2007 some members of Maine Christian Civic League, a local conservative, anti-gay group "took pictures and videotaped our activities. They wrote a scathing article in their on-line newsletter and included the planning committees names and email addresses. For many months after that, committee members received email messages from people affiliated with the group, demanding that our activities cease."
Thankfully, that was the only issue in the 5 years of the events existence.
Lastly, Sarah gives us this:
"Dyke March is one of the best events of the year, if I do say so myself. Our planning committee (Jill Barkley, Sarah Holmes, Sam Parker and Joanna Testa and our Volunteer Coordinator is Kolby Southwick) is all volunteer and a lot of work goes into making the event successful. It is free and all ages! There will be musicians, belly dancers, community speakers, drag kings, burlesque performers, and an amazing DJ."
DON'T MISS THE DYKE MARCH FRIDAY, JUNE 18th, 2010!
6:30pm Pre Show and Rally in Monument Square
7:30pm March Kickoff up Congress Street
8:00pm-1:00am After Party at One Longfellow Square
*tentative schedule*
For more information, upcoming events, and to see pictures of past Dyke Marches, click here.
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