“Abortion is a mitzvah,” and Other Refections from the Dyke March 2022 #churchladiesforchoice. #abortionrights #gaypride

 

This blogger by Donna Aceto

Pic by Jamie Leo

The Church Ladies serenade the march. Pic by Jackie Rudin

THE 30th ANNUAL NYC DYKE MARCH : DYKES FOR TRANS LIBERATION

TODAY, JUNE 25th AT 5PM AT BRYANT PARK

The fight for Dyke rights is inseparable from the struggle for Trans liberation. The New York City Dyke March glows with all hues of the gender spectrum and stands with Trans people - those Trans Dykes we love to see at the Dyke March, and those Trans non-Dykes with whom we join in solidarity.

As Trans kids are being threatened by new laws, as Trans rights are being ripped away, as simply using the right pronouns is treated as a burden while Trans people wait years for affirming medical care, we stand with and fight for TRANS LIBERATION.

Artwork by Isabelle Sigrid

"Sabrina Jones

In loving memory of Elizabeth Meixell, who knitted together threads from #actupny action tours, and WHAM! into the glory of #churchladiesforchoice. #abortionrights #gaypride"

When I asked Elizabeth Meixell what were her favorite moments, her happiest moments as an activist, she she gushed:

“The Dyke March every year.  It's a heartwarming moment.  Spectacular joy at the Dyke.”

There have been three decades of Dyke Marches. 

For many of those years, Elizabeth Meixell serenaded the march along with the Church Ladies for Choice, the pro choice act up affinity group. 

Elizabeth was not here this year, having shuffled off before the march, before pride, before she heard about the court decision on Friday. 

Still the Church Ladies arrived to serenade the thousands of dykes, making their way down 5th ave, being adored, by their supporters.

Of course, most were pissed about the court decision Friday, expressing the point in their signs along the way. 

Yet, this was a day to celebrate. 

Many of my heroes are on hand, some of the best organizers of my generation, Lisa Fithian, Jennifer Flynn Walker, Maxine Wolfe.

Say the organizers:

“The intergenerational nature of the NYC Dyke March is part of what makes it so beautiful and powerful. Maxine Wolfe is one of the founders of the Dyke March and has trained hundreds of our marshals with her stories and experiences as a long-time activist. Each year she continues to keep our march safe as our head back marshal and as part of the organizing community. 

Happy 80th Birthday, Maxine! You are a true force reckon with and we can't wait to be out in the streets with you again!

The surprises are many along the way, activists I have known for years, from my union, from Occupy, From Rise and Resist.

Many knew Elizabeth, some knew her as Madge, others as Yasha, or Sister Mary Cunnilingus, always in good taste.

Waiting for the dykes, we chat about Elizabeth, harm reduction, and what's going to happen, 

We toast Elizabeth and the many heroes on hand, alive and dead, the best organizers around. 

. “Here come the lesbians,” says Donald, 

greeting a wave of bodies, smiling, cheering, waving in a cascade, toasting a lost comrade.

RIP Elizabeth. 

You are missed. 

post march fun by VJ Tran (Vietjohn Tran)

As Ziggy Turns 50. 

Donald Grove puts it:

"The power and glory of the Dyke community (of all genders) is reason enough to celebrate on a huge scale, to march, to fight, and to love. And Betsy -- whether in her presence or her memory -- just makes it sweeter!"