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A History of the Pittsburgh Dyke March — Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure to participate in the Pittsburgh Dyke March, founded in 2006 by Eli Kuti and friends. I was at the first march in 2006 and many others. A few years I volunteered.
These are my own posts reflecting on the march, not a formal archive. And certainly not comprehensive. Still, it is important to document our histories. If you have content, including photos, that you’d like me to add, please email me.
The early years were in Oakland, a vibe that felt especially important and continues to be necessary to this day. The City failed to provide legally mandated protection or coordinate the paperwork properly. That’s when I tried to help, knowing some of those rules. But it was still a little terrifying to march down Fifth Avenue with a 7-up delivery truck barreling down on us, especially the parents pushing strollers. The City’s woeful response to public actions has a long history.
The march moved to Bloomfield and took on more of a suburban vibe, winding up Liberty Avenue, past the hospitals and into the park. I remember thinking it was a long walk. That felt like a barrier to perhaps older queer women who didn’t need a ride, just a reasonable route, and had a lot to teach all of us.
