San Francisco Dyke March -- Rock on, Grrls!

Kids having fun!
see all photos »

Well, here it is again, the annual Dyke March! I go every year because hey, how many chances does a person get to gather with thousands of other lesbians and celebrate one's pride? It's usually a pretty awesome event, with rocking live music, captivating speakers, often hilarious dance performances, and some of the best people-watching around.

I got to the park a couple hours into the event, and it was jam packed! An undulating sea of sparkling, colorful bodies flowing across the park jubilantly. The stage was already rocking with a great R&B band. I saw couples entwined tapping their feet, dogs wearing purple boas, kids dancing on their parent's shoulders, and lots of people expressing themselves with outrageous costumes and wild hair. I camped out in the middle of the park, got out my camera, and started taking as many pictures as I could.

That first time, I just broke into tears as I saw all these women coming together, totally unashamed and totally out there, ready to tell anyone who'd listen that they were lesbians and happy to be so!

Oh say can you see!
see all photos »

After an hour or so of picture taking, I gathered up my stuff and headed toward the front of the stage. This hilarious group of women dressed in army clothes performed a dance routine that had me doubled over with laughter. First, they sang a tribute to lesbians to the tune of the U.S. Anthem (I'm afraid I can't repeat the lyrics here), followed by a sexy but overall very slap-stick routine. (See the pics!)

Next was a hardcore metal/punk band -- all girls. I don't usually get into metal, but man, they really rocked. I wish I could remember their name. The drummer growled out gnash-teethed lyrics I couldn't understand, as the trumpet player, guitarist, and bassist rumbled the air with crunchy, hardcore riffs. A mosh pit started up in front of the state -- it'd been a long time since I'd seen one of those, and I'd never seen an all-girl pit. Suffice to say, it was much less violent than most I've seen, and thank god! I didn't jump in, but just hung back snapping pictures and enjoying the scene.

I loved her!
see all photos »

The hardcore band was the soundtrack to our departure for the march. We lined up at Dolores and 18th St. as usual, and, to the beat of a drum group, we headed off down 18th toward Castro Street where the street party would commence later. I always love the march -- it'll never be as wonderful as it was the first time I did it, having come fairly fresh from Colorado where being gay isn't something you generally announce to people. That first time, I just broke into tears as I saw all these women coming together, totally unashamed and totally out there, ready to tell anyone who'd listen that they were lesbians and happy to be so! What freedom! I loved the march this time, too -- especially the onlookers who hang out of their apartment windows from two stories up screaming words of support and holding signs that cause you either to raise your fist and say "yeah!" or to laugh at their outrageousness.

Dolores Park, totally packed
see all photos »

I didn't stay for the after party this year, but if you attend Dyke March, you should try! Basically, everyone from the march gathers on Castro and parties into the night. If the weather's good, and it usually is, it feels awesome to be out there in the street with the warm breeze on you, dancing to the techno beats that bump from trucks filled with speakers, drinking a cold beer, and meeting new people. It's a wild night that you'll only forget if you drink too much!