There were no barriers between the more than 1,000 people (according to organizers) who represented each of the multifaceted elements of the LGBTQ community and its allies at the 2014 Dyke March and Latina/o Pride Picnic at Humboldt Park on June 28.
Led by a division of Dykes on Bikes, they walked hand-in-handlesbian, gay, straight, queer, trans* and gender non-conforming, from all racial and economic backgroundsalong a one-mile route from Roberto Clemente High School, down Division street towards the Humboldt Park boat house. There was no division to be found between cultures, genders, immigrant and citizen, rich or poor. There was no shame in body type, no boundaries in expression. There were no floats, no politicians, no corporate sponsors. There was just a message of unabashed unity and fortitude that was called out along the route to enthusiastic onlookers who shouted back their support or pressed on their car horns.
For Devan Cameronwho carried a sign saying "Reclaim Dyke"the march and the message gets more empowering every year. "I just think the word 'Dyke' has been a derogatory term for so long that it's about time we reclaimed it and took away its negative power," she said. "This is an amazing day. I wouldn't have missed it for the world."
Kate Ekman represented Pride at Work, a coalition of LGBTQ people and allies seeking to build power within the labor movement. "Our organization is just about a year old so this is our first time at a march," she said with a laugh. "We want people to know that coming out at work is something people can feel supported doing."
There was also a huge contingent of support for immigrant justice. One sign read "LGBTQ and Immigrants Unite to Smash Bigotry." It was carried by Joshua Back and Jim Rudd, both participating in the Dyke March for the first time.
"We're out here to show solidarity between the LGBTQ and immigrant communities," Rudd said. "Both of them are always under attack by the right wing and by the state. We need to change immigration policy and challenge the abuses of transgender immigrants."
At the close of the parade route, under a late afternoon sun, the marchers enjoyed grilled hot-dogs, chicken and burgers and perused information tables from over 30 participating organizations including Lambda Legal, The TransLife Center at the Chicago House, the Transformative Justice Law Project, Howard Brown, the Sex Worker Outreach Project of Chicago, the Association of Latinos as Motivating Action (ALMA), the Illinois Choice Action Team and StoryCorps.
The afternoon's entertainment was hosted by Project Fierce co-founder Jackie Boyd and Gay Agenda co-presenter LaTony who began with Gloria Gaynor's statement "Life's not worth a damn, till you can say I am what I am." They introduced acts ranging from the all-female percussion ensemble dedicated to the growth of Puerto Rican culture "Las BomPleneras" to the jazz punk of "Sick Sad World" and the dynamic vogue performance of the "House of Ninja." For the kids, there was a magician, face painter and plenty of piñatas on hand.
The decision made by the Chicago Dyke March Collective (CDMC) to join forces with the Orgullo en Accion (OEA)-organized Latina/o Pride Picnic was one of a confluence of both events occurring in the same neighborhood. "We knew that the picnic was going on and they approached us as a way of building community," Juana Peraltaan organizer with the CDMCtold Windy City Times. "The partnership has proved to be amazing and really powerful for the community."
2014 marked the ninth year for the picnic which began as a Boystown event and moved to Humboldt Park for its second year in order to be in the heart of the Latina/o community. OEA board member Dulce Quintero was at the first picnic along with about 50 other people. "It's been growing every year," she said. "There's a lot of history with both the Dyke March and the Pride Picnic. It didn't make much sense to have two separate events in the same location instead of uniting and bringing our communities together."
Including entertainment and activities for children at this year's picnic was of significant importance to Quintana and OEA organizers. "When people try to marginalize the LGBTQ community, they do so saying that children and families do not exist in our lives," Quintana said. "We wanted to counter that and create an inclusive space for adults and children, for everyone!"
Strong community ties and collaboration are also essential components of the CDMC as they move through each new neighborhood. "It's not just about having a rally and performances," organizer Emilia Chico said. "It's about getting the word out. It's about saying 'come and join us and let's be visible!'"
Videos by Tracy Baim/Windy City Times:
Windy City Times: Dyke March 2014, A at the link: www.youtube.com/watch .
Windy City Times: Dyke March 2014, B at the link: www.youtube.com/watch .