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Dyke March Background Info
General March Info
Vancouver Dyke March Specific Info
General Information
DYKE MARCH BACKGROUND INFO:
Q. What are Dyke Marches?
A. Vancouver has had various incarnations of dyke marches in its history. However, the dyke march in this format - taking place the day before the parade and including an outdoor music festival component - was first organized in 2004. San Francisco
continues to have the largest and longest running Dyke March in the world.
Dyke Marches happen all over the place - San Francisco, Toronto, Los
Angeles, Chicago, Stockholm (SE), and Ottawa to name a
few. The idea behind a Dyke March is to create a space for dykes and their
friends/supporters to celebrate dyke pride.
Q. Why is the Dyke March on the day it is?
A. Dyke Marches around the world traditionally take place on the day before the annual Pride Parade. This means the dyke march will be held on the Saturday before the parade each year.
Q. Why call it a "Dyke March" if everyone is welcome?
A. Our primary goal is to have an event for women who love women, but also include their friends and supporters.
Q. Why have a Dyke March at all?
A. We believe it's important to raise women's visibility, celebrate dyke pride, and wanted to bring Pride celebrations to the Vancouver Eastside. The
better question would be, why *not* have a Dyke March?
Q. Have their been past Vancouver dyke marches?
A. As far as we know, there have been previous marches organized along Commercial Drive during past International Lesbian Week festivities (in the 80s and early 90s). However, we have not been able to glean any specific information regarding these marches. If you would like to share some insight, please let us know! This is the third year (of hopefully many more to come) that the task of formally organizing a Vancouver Dyke March has happened since the early 90s.
GENERAL MARCH INFO:
Q. Do I need to register to join the march?
A. No, just show up!
Q. Is it like a parade?
A. It's nothing like a parade. It's a march - that means we march (a.k.a.
walk) from one location to another. No 'floats' are permitted - that's what
the Pride Parade is for!
Q. Can I bring a banner or sign?
A. Please do! If you're bringing a banner for your organization, please make
sure you can manage it around parked cars.
Q. Can I bring my (insert whatever here)?
A. Bring everyone! We want to be an everyone-inclusive-fun-day-in-the-sun
event. If you're bringing a friend of the four-legged variety, please ensure
that they are on a leash.
VANCOUVER DYKE MARCH SPECIFIC INFO:
Q. When does the march actually begin?
A. We'll leave McSpadden Park at 12:00pm. However, if you do decide to come
early, there will be things for you to do/see/play with.
Q. What happens after the march is over? Is that it?
A. Heck no! We've got a live concert music festival planned for you at
Grandview Park. Come out and enjoy some great local performers.
Q. What is the march route?
A. The march will leave McSpadden Park and go west two blocks
down 5th Street, then north on Commercial to Grandview Park.
Q. Can my organization have a booth at the festival site?
A. We are not allowing for space for booths at the festival site. The only booths that will be present will be for Vancouver Dyke March specific information, a performers table, and
first aid. This is something we will consider again next year. If this is
something that would interest you, email and let us know at info@vancouverdykemarch.com.
Q. Do you need volunteers? How can I volunteer to help out?
A. We need volunteers for everything. Check out the Volunteer section for
more information.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Q. Where does funding for this event come from?
A. Mainly from fundraisers either we organize, or other community groups organize. 2006 was the first year that we received a festival grant from the City of Vancouver. During our first year we received many kind donations from community
members. For more information regarding our past fundraisers, visit our Fundraising Events section.
Q. How much money does it cost to run the event? Where does it go?
A. It costs roughly $15,000.00 to organize the dyke march and festival each year. We rely heavily on donations and fundraisers to cover the costs. It's important to us to maintain good relations with local businesses and the City of Vancouver so we pay for park permits, city costs related to stripping parking off Commercial, police support to ensure traffic is controlled, and so on. This helps ensure the safety of our participants and secures support from the City, transit officials, and the police. There are also numerous costs associated with running the festival component of the event.
Q. Is the Vancouver Dyke March a permitted event?
A. Yes, we have obtained permits from the City of Vancouver to hold this
event.
Q. Is the Vancouver Dyke March put on by the Vancouver Pride Society?
A. No, the Vancouver Pride Society is not organizing or funding the Dyke
March. The Vancouver Dyke March group and the Vancouver Pride Society are
two separate entities, although we have been given VPS' blessing and do keep
in contact with the VPS.
Q. How can I support the efforts of the Vancouver Dyke March?
A. Come out to a fundraising event! Or please considering giving a donation.
Every little bit helps more than you know.
If you still have questions regarding the Vancouver Dyke March, please email info@vancouverdykemarch.com.
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