June 6, 2007
6/4/2007
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
The first annual Portland Trans March will kick off from the NW park blocks (9th and Davis) at 7PM on Saturday, June 16th. People are encouraged to bring signs, noisemakers, banners, and other identifying markers. The Trans March will happen at the same time and in the same place as the annual Portland Dyke March.
Last year there was a community wide discussion regarding the language on the Portland Dyke March website (www.dykemarchportland.com), run by an anonymous person that pays for and supports the site, concerning the language on the site. Many trans people (particularly FTM trans people) felt the language was not inclusive and that they were not welcome because they do not identify as “women.”
Dyke March organizers contend that the language is not meant to be exclusive and is meant to allow folks to self-identify to decide whether or not the Dyke March is for them.
In response to this concern, Stef-Anie Wells (Pride Northwest 2007 president and longtime Dyke March organizer and participant), said that they would love to see a Trans March started in Portland like they have in San Francisco. Until that time, she encourages creating a space in conjunction with the Dyke March, for trans people wanting to march. Creating such a space respects the integrity of the Dyke March and also the integrity of the Trans community, who are often lumped in with the Queer community, whether or not they identify as Queer. This arrangement allows a recognized, distinct Trans presence during Portland Pride weekend and an organized venue within which they can demonstrate outside of traditional, mainstream pride events.
For more information on the San Francisco Trans March visit: www.transmarch.org.
For more information on the Portland Dyke March visit: www.dykemarchportland.com.
Feel free to contact Portland Dyke March organizers at: dykemarch@dykemarchportland.com.
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
The first annual Portland Trans March will kick off from the NW park blocks (9th and Davis) at 7PM on Saturday, June 16th. People are encouraged to bring signs, noisemakers, banners, and other identifying markers. The Trans March will happen at the same time and in the same place as the annual Portland Dyke March.
Last year there was a community wide discussion regarding the language on the Portland Dyke March website (www.dykemarchportland.com), run by an anonymous person that pays for and supports the site, concerning the language on the site. Many trans people (particularly FTM trans people) felt the language was not inclusive and that they were not welcome because they do not identify as “women.”
Dyke March organizers contend that the language is not meant to be exclusive and is meant to allow folks to self-identify to decide whether or not the Dyke March is for them.
In response to this concern, Stef-Anie Wells (Pride Northwest 2007 president and longtime Dyke March organizer and participant), said that they would love to see a Trans March started in Portland like they have in San Francisco. Until that time, she encourages creating a space in conjunction with the Dyke March, for trans people wanting to march. Creating such a space respects the integrity of the Dyke March and also the integrity of the Trans community, who are often lumped in with the Queer community, whether or not they identify as Queer. This arrangement allows a recognized, distinct Trans presence during Portland Pride weekend and an organized venue within which they can demonstrate outside of traditional, mainstream pride events.
For more information on the San Francisco Trans March visit: www.transmarch.org.
For more information on the Portland Dyke March visit: www.dykemarchportland.com.
Feel free to contact Portland Dyke March organizers at: dykemarch@dykemarchportland.com.