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9th Annual Dyke March Takes State Street
June 9th, 2009

Is This Really the Greatest Threat to America?

By Rebecca Edwadrs

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Under overcast skies on Saturday afternoon, fired-up women (and a few men) representing the lesbian community gathered in City Creek Park for the 9th annual Dyke March. The March helped to kick off the 2009 Utah Pride Festival, converging with the Interfaith March at the Federal Building for one of the opening rallies of the weekend.

dyke

In the wake of an especially tumultuous year for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community a spirit of revolution was palpable. From the opening speeches to the march down State Street, calls for equal rights were the predominant message.

"We demand to be seen and to be heard," LaRiesse Dimmick, one of the organizers of the March, said. "We demand recognition of our love, our partners, our children, and our families."

Although equal rights and the fallout of Proposition 8 were the premier topics, the organizers, speakers, and crowd were also passionate about a bevy of other issues our country is currently facing. I was impressed that the speakers used this opportunity not only to rage against the hot-button topic of marital exclusion, but to express their concern for the community at large.

"There's a lot of stuff to march about, right?" Laura Littlefied, Field Coordinator of Equality Utah, shouted. "The economy sucks. Our healthcare system sucks. All people are not treated equal in our society. School class sizes are gi-normous, and we're still in this endless war."

Both Littlefield and Dimmick roused the crowd with messages of courage, outrage, and empowerment before leading them toward with the Federal Building amid cries of "What do we want--equality! When do we want it--now!"

dyke march

Marching down the street, with signs such as, "Look Ma, We're the greatest threat to America" were lesbians, transgender, straight, young, old, male, and female. For a group of people who are denied access to healthcare for their families and protection from discrimination, they delivered their message with both spunk and humor--along with unwavering conviction.

"This is our day to be visible," Dimmick said. "And we are not asking for permisison. We are here and we're not going anywhere."

Related Links:

Utah Pride Center

Proposition 8 stories & blogs:

Deseret News Article

Gay Agenda Prop 8 Ruling

Mocking Prop 8

Reader Comments

John Funk

.

Thanks so much for the article. I appreciate you covering all areas of our society. Thanks Rebecca Edwards for a wonderfully written piece.

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