The Chicago Dyke March is returning for the first time in six years, just in time to mark the protest and celebration’s 30th anniversary. The Dyke March and Rally kicks off at 1 p.m. on June 27 near Dvorak Park in the Pilsen neighborhood, with participants rallying at 3 p.m. in the park.

History of the March

The event, which started in 1996, has long served as a protest of corporatized Pride, with organizers focused on showing support for lesbians and fundraising and advocating for particularly vulnerable groups. Organizers are fundraising $10,000 to cover the costs of putting on the event, pay performers, and give out free food.

According to Amar, an organizer with the Chicago Dyke March Collective, the event is not a parade, but rather a grassroots gathering of people coming together to fight against an oppressive world and build an abundant connection. The march has “always been a space for gathering and inspiration for our communities,” Amar said.

Challenges and Legacy

Since the start of the Trump administration, the federal government has implemented many policies targeting LGBTQ+ and particularly trans people, including prohibiting trans female athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s sports teams and blocking access to pediatric gender treatments for youth. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat, the stakes feel personal, organizers said.

The word “dyke” was once seen as a slur for lesbians or masculine women, but lesbians have reclaimed the term over the years. After decades of work, organizers want the event to continue to help people find themselves and their community.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.