Statement Amsterdam Dyke March 2024
The Amsterdam Dyke March came into being two years ago with the intent to celebrate our lesbian identities and to celebrate the spirituality of connecting with one’s own community. By marching through the streets, we take part in a longstanding, worldwide tradition of lesbian strength and solidarity. Importantly, Dyke Marches have historically enshrined the importance of mutual aid; a legacy we aim to carry on into the future.
This march is not just a celebration of who we are as dykes, but a demonstration of our solidarity with all oppressed communities. We recognize that our fight for liberation is intrinsically linked with the fight against racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, transphobia and all forms of systemic oppression. As we once again take to the streets of Amsterdam, we want to reiterate our stance on the liberation of marginalized groups. We condemn the ongoing genocides in Palestine, Congo and Sudan. We condemn pinkwashing and the silencing of those speaking out against violence; we call for a ceasefire and an end to the apartheid regime. We stand in solidarity with the student protestors here in Amsterdam and around the world, condemning the violence against them.
Repression both abroad and at home serves as a stark reminder that pride has been – and will always be – a protest. Stormé DeLarverie, a black butch lesbian, was one of the sparks that ignited the Stonewall uprising and her legacy as a pioneer of lesbian and LGBTQ+ liberation ought to be carried on. As we march, we remember the radical roots of our movement, push forward with the determination of activists who came before us, and take back the streets through solidarity and strength.