dykes gone digital
June 15th, 2020
To our Dyke Community,
It is with a heavy heart and with the safety of our community as our top priority that we announce that Ottawa Dyke March will not be having an in-person event this August and will instead be hosting a virtual event. We have been closely following the directives from public health experts and government officials regarding COVID-19 and we believe in order for everyone to stay safe we must forgo a large in-person event this year.
COVID-19 poses an immense threat to our community and, indeed, all communities across the country and around the globe, as it threatens people’s health, economic security, social connectedness, and access to supports. These threats are exacerbated for marginalized communities, such as the dyke community which is disproportionately likely to include individuals who are economically insecure, lack access to shelter, and experience domestic violence. We stand in solidarity with those who are most vulnerable in our community and ask those who are able to give generously to initiatives, including food banks and artist funds, that are providing support to those most affected by the pandemic.
Ottawa Dyke March also recognizes that COVID-19 has unique impacts on racialized communities and individuals. For instance, Asian individuals in Ottawa are more frequently the targets of racist attacks since the advent of COVID-19 in Canada; Black individuals may have legitimate concerns about wearing homemade masks, especially in light of the particularly blatant displays of police brutality and anti-Black institutionalized racism across North America; and the essential workers risking their health are disproportionately people of colour. Ottawa Dyke March firmly condemns hate crimes as having no place in our community and re-commits itself to standing in solidarity with BIPOC communities to combat systemic and ongoing racism in Canada. We further urge those in our community to give generously to organizations and funds that directly support the victims and families of hate crimes and police brutality or that contribute towards the dismantling of oppressive structures of white supremacy more generally.
While the in-person rally, March, and picnic typically hosted by Ottawa Dyke March will not take place this year due to COVID-19, we will still be hosting a virtual “Dykes Gone Digital” event on August 29th through which we will continue our activism and community celebration. We will feature speakers, performers, and virtual market as well as family and activist activities that need your participation. Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms for more details leading up to the event.
We are so thankful for all the support and love we feel from our community every ‘Dyke Day,’ as well as throughout the year. Although we may not be able to see each other in person this August, we look forward to sharing and connecting with our fellow dykes in a new way.
We are looking forward to “Dykes Gone Digital” and wish that you will join us in celebrating the Dyke community in Ottawa and Dykes everywhere. We hope that everyone is staying safe and can’t wait until we see you again.
With Love,
Ottawa Dyke March
In case you missed it, you can watch the full recording of the Dykes Gone Digital livestream, which took place on August 29th 2020, below!
thank you
Thank you to all of our speakers (Théo Paradis, Alyssa Gonzalez, Roksana Hajrizi, and anonymous contributors), performers (Harar Hall, Kelsey McGruer performing to music by Fliss, Andi Vicente, Saffron St. James, and Paige Maskell), volunteers, artists (KJ Forman and Munea Wadud), vendors, and supporters. A very special thanks to Capital Rainbow Refuge, Qu’ART, and HomoPhono for their generous support and collaboration.