Updated: March 11, 2025
The NYC Dyke March, a longstanding tradition in New York City, is a self-directed and nonhierarchical group built, led by, and open to all volunteers who identify as Dykes.
Since its inception in 1992 the march has stood as a powerful expression of solidarity and resistance within the LGBTQIA+ community.
We stand with historically marginalized people and continuously work to create a safe and accessible community through education, transparency, and an emphasis on intersectionality.
Dyke March defines historically marginalized as:
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. We are an anti-racist group that does not tolerate acts of hate, violence, or harassment.
- Transgender, Non-Binary, Gender Non-Conforming, Gender Fluid, Two Spirit and all individuals across the gender diverse spectrum. We stand in solidarity with Trans Women, particularly those of color, who receive a disproportionate amount of hate and violence.
- Intersex individuals and stand for their rights to bodily autonomy.
- Disabled and the Chronically Ill: We are actively working to root out ableism and erasure within the queer community and provide necessary accommodations for participation in the Dyke March and all our events.
- Those with intersecting marginalized identities, recognizing the unique challenges and experiences they face within the LGBTQIA+ community.
We are:
- For Bodily Autonomy and Reproductive Justice
- For the liberation of all oppressed people.
- Pro Immigrant: We welcome and support immigrants, recognizing the unique challenges they face within the LGBTQIA+ community and look to fight against the systemic injustices they face.
- Anti-Zionist: We oppose the nationalist political ideology of Zionism, particularly as it is promoted within U.S. institutions, which continues to be used to subjugate, displace, and marginalize Palestinian people. Anti-Zionism rejects the imperialist notion that the self-determination of one people can be used to justify institutional inequality, the forced displacement of a local population, or the ethnic cleansing and genocide of another ethnic and cultural group. We firmly distinguish between opposition to Zionism as a political ideology and antisemitism. We stand against antisemitism in all its forms and recognize that Jewish people have faced historical and ongoing oppression. Our critique is directed at a political system and ideology, not at Jewish people or Judaism.
- Body Neutral and Fat Positive: We promote body acceptance and positivity, recognizing that all bodies are worthy of love, respect and celebration.
- Inclusive of all religions and spiritual practices: We embrace individuals of all religious and spiritual backgrounds and strive to create an inclusive space for spiritual expression.
- Supportive of Sex Workers: We stand in solidarity with sex workers and advocate for their right to safety, autonomy, and dignity through the full decriminalization and destigmatization of sex work.
- Sex and Kink Positive: We affirm the rights of individuals to engage in consensual sexual practices and lifestyles without fear of discrimination or stigma.
- Intergenerational: we believe dykes of all generations can learn from one another.
- For Self Exploration: we do not police the identities of other dykes and support the fluid exploration of gender, sexuality, and expression.
- Independent: we do not work with corporations or take sponsorships.
- Non-Hierarchical: we do not elevate any individual volunteer as the face or acting leader of Dyke March. We are committed to collective decision making and shared leadership.
- Transparent: We are committed to open communication and accountability within our organization and with the broader community.
- A place for community and queer joy: We strive to create spaces of celebration, solidarity, and joy for all members of the Dyke community.
- A community of dykes who each have blind spots: When microaggressions occur we look to educate and grow in community with one another and are accountable to each other to create a safe environment for all with the aim of restorative justice.
- Inclusive of anyone who identifies as a dyke regardless of gender identity, expression, sex assigned at birth, race, age, political affiliation, religious identity, class, immigration status, or disability.
We Stand Against:
- Misogyny, Misogynoir, Trans Misogyny, Lesbophobia and Patriarchy.
- Ableism and Eugenics
- Genocide, Racism, Neo(colonialism), Fascism, White Supremacy, Antisemitism, Islamophobia and Xenophobia.
- Anti-LGBTQIA+ Laws across the globe.
- Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminism (TERF ideology) and any form of discrimination based on gender identity or expression.