Pride isn’t just about the men in San Diego. This year, the women are taking their rights and community involvement into their own hands as they hit the streets for Dyke March 2007. The San Diego Dyke Fest and Dyke March 2007 rallies all dykes, lesbians, queers, allies, activists and bike-riders to make a statement July 22 during Pride weekend.

“The mission of the San Diego Dyke March is to increase dyke/queer visibility, as well as to provide dykes, queers and their allies with a place to support and inspire one another,” said Abby Schwartz, organizer for this year’s event.

Dyke March is more than just a feminist rally. A tradition going back nearly 15 years in San Diego, Dyke March is a celebration of lesbian culture and a chance to protest ongoing discrimination, harassment and anti-queer treatment in schools, workplaces and the community.

“Historically, the Dyke March has always been political and radical in nature,” Schwartz said. “In keeping with that spirit, we hope to reach all types of San Diegans as we march through North Park and Hillcrest.”

The Dyke March began in 1994, when it was affectionately known as the “San Diego Lesbian Avengers Dyke March, Rally and Dance.” The Lesbian Avengers produced the event until 1997, then disappeared for a few years. The movement was revived in 1999 by Tryce Czycyznska and Wendy Sue Biegelsisen as the San Diego Dykes and Friends March and Rally. Later, San Diego Dyke March was sponsored by V.A.G.I.N.A. (Vibrant Activist Grrls Invoking National Attention). This is the first year that Dyke March is entirely unaffiliated and being planned by a group of passionate volunteers dedicated to the cause of increasing dyke and queer visibility.

“The point of the march is to say, ‘We’re dykes and we’re proud!’ and we hope to get that message out to anyone and everyone we pass,” Schwartz said. “I would even say that the march itself is about revolution or activism, and the festival is about celebration – both should be integral parts of Pride weekend!”

The rally begins at the fountain in Balboa Park at 11 a.m. “The day will kick off with a radical march through Hillcrest and North Park, and culminate with a festival featuring live music, speakers, workshops and more at The Rubber Rose,” Schwartz said. Dykes hit the streets for the official march at 12 p.m. Women are encouraged to march on foot or ride a bike with “Dyke-cycles on bicycles.” The festival follows at 1 p.m. at The Rubber Rose, where the community will enjoy performances by Team Gina, Eileen Myles, Lauren DeRose, MC Flow, Dropjoy, Addiquit, JFP, Jiggle It! Bitch Burlesque, and MC Laura Jane. The day’s festivities include workshops, music, grrrl-friendly vendors and a 21-plus beer garden. Best of all, the event is free!

Dyke performer Lauren DeRose is part of the musical lineup at this year’s Dyke March. “Why get involved with Dyke March? Well, let’s just say, this year I have become close with a lot of empowering, inspiring women,” said DeRose. “I feel like hanging out with these women on a more regular basis has re-lit my fire in respect to how much more I want to give back to my community!”

Lesbian-fronted rock band Dropjoy will also be pleasing the crowds on July 22. “I fell in love with the energy, people, exposure and general sense of urgency and purpose [of Dyke March],” said Nicki Walker, lead singer for Dropjoy. “I feel my participation as a performer is a statement to the public that lesbians are everywhere. Whether we are swinging a hammer, comforting a patient, fighting for our country or playing guitar, we deserve the same rights as everyone else. From the confident women who are publicly out to those who aren’t but want to silently support, Dyke March is a great place to gather, get information and feel welcomed. It’s an honor to perform and an expectation for me to march annually.”

“This year, we hope to provide dykes, queers and their friends and their family members with a fantastic day of programming,” Schwartz said. “We are hoping to attract a greater number of participants this year.

“This year’s event is going to be really special – to begin with, we are incredibly lucky to have the Rubber Rose on board, providing our space – it is so amazing that we now have a lesbian-owned-and-operated community space to use for the festival,” Schwartz said. “Ray Street will be closed down as it is for Ray at Night, and we’ll be setting up our stage outdoors in the Rubber Rose parking lot.”

The girls at The Rubber Rose are equally excited about Dyke March. “Why get involved? Because we love our dyke community!” said Lea and Carly at The Rubber Rose. “The inspiration to open the Rubber Rose is based out of wanting to create a woman-positive, sex-positive community for us to learn, teach, heal and celebrate together. And what better way to do that than to help make something as empowering and inspiring as Dyke March happen in San Diego?”

Lea and Carly have helped prepare some excellent programming for attendees of the Dyke March after-party. “Attendees can expect some amazing performances on stage with the likes of Eileen Myles and local phenomenal women such as MC Flow, Lauren DeRose and Laura Jane, an arts and crafts area, a bike repair workshop, an air-conditioned beer garden and local vendors that both represent and support our queer community.

“This year, we also really wanted to address the complex issues around gender identity and fluidity as well as to support our F2M brothers and lovers, so the ‘bois only’ workshop is one of my favorite highlights of the day!” the girls said.

It’s not too late to get involved in this year’s Dyke March! For more information on volunteering, e-mail dykemarchsd@yahoo.com.

The Rubber Rose is located at 3812 Ray St. in North Park; 619-296-7673.