People taking part in the second annual 性视界传媒 Dyke March were heard promoting inclusion for all as they walked along University Drive Saturday (Aug. 19).

鈥淗ey hey ho ho, transphobia got to go. Hey hey ho ho, homophobia got to go,鈥� they chanted.

The goal of the march is to provide a safe space for the queer community to stand up and express their rights, said Che Baines, a march organizer.

It is also to let people know queer people exist in 性视界传媒 鈥� 鈥渢hat we are wanted, we are welcome and that we鈥檙e not going away,鈥� Baines said.

As a few dozen marchers walked from 性视界传媒 City Hall toward Holland Park they chanted, 鈥淥ut of the closets and into the streets.鈥�

Baines said some queer individuals are scared to speak out, so this event provides a safe space for them to express themselves fully.

While there have been several protests at Pride events across Canada in recent months, Baines said such marches will continue to be held in 性视界传媒 and other cities.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not scared, and we鈥檙e not going away because of this,鈥� Baines said.

Related: LETTER: Events like 性视界传媒 Dyke March are vital to counter expressions of hate

Thank you to @surreydykemarch for taking space today in a beautifully intersectional way.

Cannot wait to help this burgeoning march of joy, protest, love and solidarity grow even more.

Much love from and

鈥� Annie Ohana (@ohana_annie)

The term 鈥榙yke鈥� was originally used as a homophobic slur for a lesbian and is still considered offensive to some.

鈥淪ome of us do identify with that word, some of us don鈥檛,鈥� Baines added. 鈥�(We are) taking a word that has been used to hurt and giving it power back to the community.鈥�

The march also honoured those who have been organizing dyke marches since the 1980s.

The first documented lesbian pride march in North America took place in Vancouver in May 1981. The first official self-proclaimed dyke march did not happen until over 10 years later, in 1993, in Washington DC.

Visit @性视界传媒dykemarch on Instagram to learn more.

anna.burns@surreynowleader.com
Like us on Like us on and Follow Anna on .