If you think Pride season is all about the boys, think again. This year, the dykes of San Diego are taking to the streets on July 26, for the 2008 San Diego Dyke March & Fest, a day committed to increasing dyke and queer visibility. The day’s festivities will begin with an 11 a.m. rally/meet-up at The San Diego LGBT Community Center and culminate in an outdoor music and community festival on Ray Street, in front of the Rubber Rose, from noon to 5 p.m. The day is jam-packed with empowering appearances and performances; scholar, writer, and activist, Pat Washington will speak at the March rally, and rapper and activist, Melange Lavonne, will be one of many musical performers at the festival. Workshops on topics from marriage equality to transgender law to lesbian health will educate and empower festival attendees, as they gather to celebrate the day of the dyke.

“Our theme this year is ‘Activate, Celebrate, Demonstrate, Elevate!’ and that is exactly what we are hoping to do,” said volunteer Kelly Dorsey. “We hope to activate the crowd, celebrate diversity, demonstrate our need for equal rights, and elevate and uplift our community to prepare for this election year.”

Although dyke marches have been taking place across the nation for a number of years, the San Diego Dyke March began in 1994, when it was first 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,” only to evolve yet again when it was sponsored by V.A.G.I.N.A. (Vibrant Activist Grrls Invoking National Attention), a radical lesbian activist group. This is the second year that Dyke March and the festival following it, Dyke Fest, is entirely unaffiliated, and being planned by the owners of The Rubber Rose, with a diverse group of volunteers dedicated to dyke activism.

When asked why she is participating, volunteer coordinator Kathleen Stavis, is quick to note radical politics as an incentive.

“I always feel at home at Dyke March because it is usually one of the only Pride events that is completely women-centered,” she said. “Also, Dyke March is historically the most radical, political, in your face Pride event, which really represents who I am.”

Lea Caughlan, co-owner of The Rubber Rose, agrees that the radical and politically-charged event is empowering.

“I believe Dyke March to be, historically, one of the most politically charged events of Pride [season],” Caughlan said. “Throughout the years, we have seen Pride become more and more corporate and expensive, especially here in San Diego, and while that has its benefits, it also sometimes is nice to have an event that isn’t afraid of politics, discussion and pushing boundaries. With Dyke March, the personal is political.”

Caughlan wants to stress, however, that the event is not open exclusively to those who self-identify as dykes. Community allies and friends are invited to come out and support the dykes as they march, and the festival is open to all.

“I’m really excited by the turnout we had last year, and the morphing, at least in San Diego, of the event from a dyke-only/women-only event to a really amazing queer space that supports all of us,” Caughlan said. “I think it is reflective of the current mood and discussions surrounding sexuality and political expression, and the fact that we are turning more towards what our similarities are as humans, than segregating on the basis of sexual identity.”

The San Diego Dyke March Rally will take place on July 26, at 11 a.m. at The Center (3909 Centre St., Hillcrest). The Dyke March (which will run up University Avenue) will culminate with Dyke Fest, from 12 to 5 p.m., on Ray Street, in front of The Rubber Rose (3812 Ray St., North Park). For more information, visit www.myspace.com/dykemarchsd.