Calgary Herald Article: Calgary Lesbians Claim Their Space By Having A March For Lesbian Visibility In Society!!!
The first ever Calgary Dyke March took place Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010 at noon with about 200 people taking part.
Photograph by: Lorraine Hjalte, Calgary Herald
CALGARY — More than 200 people took to the streets of downtown Calgary for the first ever Dyke March on Saturday.
The 20-minute march went from Shaw Millennium Park on 9th Avenue southwest to Century Park on 8th Street southwest. The march is a celebration of queer women, said Brianne Langille, event organizer.
Many marchers slogans like: “One, two, three, four – it’s not a secret anymore.”
While the walk isn’t part of the Calgary Pride Parade, it did take place during Pride Week events.
“A lot of people who would come to an event like this, wouldn’t come out to Pride,” Langille said.
“It’s more flashy and the boys have a lot less on and women are less comfortable with that.”
Langille added she felt the need to have a Dyke March in Calgary because the city is male-dominated and generally straight.
However, everyone was welcome to join the march and demonstrators felt supported by many just passing by the group.
Kelsey McWilliams was surprised by the large turn-out and felt empowered.
“You’re always coming out like if you start a new job or meeting new people you’re always explaining to them,” said the 23 year-old, noting even though she came out eight years ago, it’s always a process.
“It’s just part of life.”
Meanwhile, the Outlink’s Same-sex Parents Group Family Playdate was at Prince’s Island Park. The group usually meets every third Saturday of the month, but decided to hold its get-together during Pride Week.
Shereen Samuels, co-organizer, said about 25 families were at the playground for the morning fun. She added it’s nice to have same-sex parents to talk with and for the support.
“It also enables us to gather and be visible in the community,” noted Samuels, who, along with her partner, have an eight year-old daughter.
“Our kids are regular kids and our families are regular families. We are like every other parents dealing with naps and meal times and back to school.”
Tim Anderson and his two-year-old daughter were having fun on the playdate. Anderson and his partner adopted Elizabeth when she was a baby.
“We want Elizabeth to know other families like ours,” said Anderson. “We have lots of straight friends, who have families, too. Elizabeth needs to have all the experiences she can so she can figure it out for herself.”
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