Reflections on the Archive: 2nd International Dyke March
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“Big frocks on hoydens with lipstick and lashes, Fuck-happy butches with dash (and moustaches) Wild women in leather or tied up with string These are a few of my favourite things…”
This The Sound of Music contrafactum was penned by Hayley Fox Roberts for Issue 108 (July 1998) of GCN as part of an article anticipating the 2nd International Dyke March. The monumental event was being hosted in Dublin that year, with the writer compelling the magazine’s readers to join the occasion.
“Come on now, dykes of all diversions. Bring your cunt, your heart, your head and your voice to O’Connell St. Time to grab hold of that lust for power, take it in both fists and hold it up for the world to see. I could kiss every one of you,” Fox Roberts wrote.
“Tell ya, June 26 will be heaven, it’ll be hell, it’ll be mirth and debauchery and it will be ours.”
The first-ever Dyke March was held in Washington DC in April 1993, boasting 20,000 attendees and described by Newsweek as “an unabashed display of lesbian clout”. The following year, the first-ever International Dyke March took place in New York City, in which as many as 40,000 people took part.
Throughout the ‘90s, these protests boasted themes including ‘Ignite the Riot!’, ‘Snatch the Power!’, ‘It’s a Dyke Thing!’, ‘It’s all about You!’ and ‘Fierce Dykes Ignite for Power!’. These strong slogans reflected the nature of the events, which embodied the radical spirit of the Stonewall era, and AIDS and queer activism.
Hayley Fox Roberts first mentioned the Dublin march in Issue 101 (November 1997) of GCN, revealing its theme, ‘Lust For Power’, which had been decided at the first coordinating meeting on October 18. The event featured again in Issues 103 and 104, giving readers the committee’s latest updates.
In Issue 107 (June 1998), they explained the reason for the ‘Lust For Power’ theme: “Our sexuality is what makes us who we are, and our lust for sex, for life, for freedom, is a powerful force.”
In the same article, they also stressed that the march welcomed “all women who identify as women”.
With the support of members of the New York City Lesbian Avengers and the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization, the event was scheduled for the Friday of Pride Week 1998. Many New Yorkers also travelled over for the occasion, bringing with them a banner that they had made especially.
Ahead of the march, other activities were organised to build anticipation, including a lesbian poetry reading and wine reception at Waterstones Bookshop the night before and a “Get Bold” self-esteem workshop on the day. On June 26, approximately 300 people took to the capital, with the march commencing at 7pm from the Garden of Remembrance. The group was joined by a drumming and a salsa band, as they made their way to Central Bank for a final rally, where supporters from the sidelines were welcomed to join.
As reported in Issue 109 (August 1998) of GCN: “With colour, noise, abandon and pleasure, the Dyke March brought beauty to the streets and power to the hearts of women.”
To celebrate, those who wanted more decadence went to the Tivoli Theatre, where Tara Brandel, the Camp Vamps, Bete Noir and the Distraction, and DJ Liz Greene “entertained a huge, handsome crowd of loud, louche, laughing lesbians”.
“It was a dream, a storm, an evening of energy and promise,” GCN reported, alongside photos of the occasion accompanied by captions like: "The streets are ours (for a while, anyway)".
While there were hopes of a follow-up in 1999, Irish lesbian trailblazer Izzy Kamikaze previously stated “The Dyke March was something the TERFs stole,” which was perhaps the reason for the lack of similar events.
