Carrying signs, banners and bullhorns, more than 1,000 people filled the streets of Uptown June 29 for the city's annual Dyke March parade and rally.
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Attendance and spirits were high despite overcast skies and chilly weather early in the march.
The march was the second held in Uptown, as the event travels to a new neighborhood every two years.
The March stepped off from Margate Park and moved west on Argyle, turning south onto Sheridan and then west onto Lawrence. It looped back on Broadway and concluded along Argyle, home to dozens of East Asian businesses.
Restaurant and shop owners greeted the march with waves and cheers from the sidewalk, and families lined the route, taking photos.
Marchers shouted, drummed and danced, chanting, "The gender system must be broken! I am not your fucking token!" and, "My junk is not for you to see! Remove the sex on all ID!"
Dyke March is typically held on the Saturday before Sunday's annual Pride Parade. The march, seen as an alternative to a corporate-heavy parade, tends to highlight queer and trans-identified people, and others not always seen in mainstream gay organizing.
In recent years, the march has toured various neighborhoods in an effort to bring visibility throughout the city and connect with different communities. The 2011 South Shore march prompted concerns that a lack of engagement with residents betrayed the spirit of the march.
But the 2012 and 2013 march saw large crowds in Uptown as well as positive response from business owners and residents.
Juana Peralta, an organizer of the march, said that organizers worked hard to create an inclusive event, holding community forums and partnering with community organizations. Peralta said that the group especially worked to create safe spaces for queer and transgender people of color.
"So, this year feels really great," Peralta said. "We took to the streets. The police didn't get involved. It was the best case scenario, really."
The march wrapped up without incident. A rally in Margate Park followed. Performers included Mika, KRCC Drummers, Rex Manning Day, Legendary House of Ninja, LockJaw Nancy, Lyrical Genius, Queer Quior and Po'Chop.
Video by Kate Sosin
