Boston Dyke March History and Archive Project
The annual Boston Dyke March, the third largest and one of the most progressive dyke marches in the US, is an important part of Boston's LGBT social, political, and cultural history. The inclusive politic and the ongoing completely grassroots, non-corporate status of the Boston Dyke March make it one of the most unique and progressives dyke marches in the U.S.
Dyke marches arose in the U.S. in 1993, with New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco holding marches that year. The first Boston Dyke March was held in 1995. Like most of the other dyke marches held around the U.S., the Boston Dyke March was in response to the male-centered, increasingly commercialized nature of gay pride.
In the last decade, the number of participants in the Boston Dyke March has grown from 350 to 2000. The budget, fundraising events, infrastructure, promotional capacity, community networking relations, and organizing hours have grown accordingly. Nationally recognized activists, authors, and performers have taken the stage. And, as is typical of activist events, the Boston Dyke March has lived through several controversies.
The mission of the Boston Dyke March History and Archive Project is to collect and archive historically significant materials related to the Boston Dyke March. The ad hoc, grassroots manner in which many dyke marches are often organized makes it difficult for their history to be preserved. Fortunately, a few key organizers saved enough material to lay the foundation for this digital archive site. The purpose of this website is make the history of the Boston Dyke March available to individuals, activists, educators, and researchers interested in LGBT studies, feminist studies and social movement studies.
This digital archive site is an ongoing work in progress. New materials are added on a regular basis. Certainly, much more historically significant material exists, buried in closets and basements. If you have historically significant material related to the Boston Dyke March, please visit our contribute materials page. If you would like to submit a correction or an addition to the information presented on this site, please contact us!
Thank you and please come back to visit for updates.
Dyke marches arose in the U.S. in 1993, with New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco holding marches that year. The first Boston Dyke March was held in 1995. Like most of the other dyke marches held around the U.S., the Boston Dyke March was in response to the male-centered, increasingly commercialized nature of gay pride.
In the last decade, the number of participants in the Boston Dyke March has grown from 350 to 2000. The budget, fundraising events, infrastructure, promotional capacity, community networking relations, and organizing hours have grown accordingly. Nationally recognized activists, authors, and performers have taken the stage. And, as is typical of activist events, the Boston Dyke March has lived through several controversies.
The mission of the Boston Dyke March History and Archive Project is to collect and archive historically significant materials related to the Boston Dyke March. The ad hoc, grassroots manner in which many dyke marches are often organized makes it difficult for their history to be preserved. Fortunately, a few key organizers saved enough material to lay the foundation for this digital archive site. The purpose of this website is make the history of the Boston Dyke March available to individuals, activists, educators, and researchers interested in LGBT studies, feminist studies and social movement studies.
This digital archive site is an ongoing work in progress. New materials are added on a regular basis. Certainly, much more historically significant material exists, buried in closets and basements. If you have historically significant material related to the Boston Dyke March, please visit our contribute materials page. If you would like to submit a correction or an addition to the information presented on this site, please contact us!
Thank you and please come back to visit for updates.