Dykes on bikes
Dykes on Bikes ( English : Lesbians on Motorcycles, abbreviated DoB) is an association of lesbian motorcyclists. Founded in San Francisco in 1976, there are now 16 local chapters of the Dykes on Bikes in the USA , Australia and Europe . The female bikers traditionally ride at the top of Pride parades and also accompany other LBGT events. In addition to political work, the motorcycle clubs focus on enthusiasm for the motorcycle , leisure activities and maintaining contacts. The only German chapter to date was founded on August 2nd, 2010 in Hamburg .
Word meaning
The English name Dyke originated as a homophobic and misogynistic denigration of a boyish or androgynous type of woman. While the derogatory use of the word still exists, the term has been appropriated again in the context of the Pride movement as a positive phrase that implies assertiveness and harshness, or simply as a neutral synonym for lesbian .
history
In 1976 a group of women motorcyclists first accompanied the San Francisco Pride Parade, which has been taking place since 1970 . Individual bikers had already accompanied earlier parades, but this was the first time that they participated as a group. For logistical reasons, the riders were placed at the head of the parade so that the motorcycles did not have to ride within the slower foot groups. A rider's comment that it was "Dykes on Bikes" was picked up by the city's most important newspaper, the San Francisco Chronicle . The name of the group, which is still used today, developed from this.
An important role in the establishment of the Dykes on Bikes is Queer -Aktivistin Soni Wolf , a Motorradenthusiastin and veteran of the US Air Force (born September 1948 ; † 25. April 2018 ) attributed to himself took part as a driver from the year 1978th The idea of demonstrating pride in one's own sexual orientation through an impressive motorcycle group “loud and proud” established a tradition with growing success. The Dykes on Bikes eventually became one of the most recognizable symbols of the LGBT movement. In some parades up to 400 Dykes on bikes ride.
In the mid to late 1980s, the informal group became the formally organized Women's Motorcycle Contingent . This term should also include other queer women in addition to lesbians . Colloquially, however, the name Dykes on Bikes was retained.
Trademark law
In 2003 Soni Wolf found out about an attempt by a clothing company to protect the Dykes on Bikes brand for their business. If successful, this could have prevented the motorcycle groups from using the name in public. A first attempt to register the designation itself as a US trademark failed in 2004 at the United States Patent and Trademark Office because of the originally derogatory connotation of Dyke. The registration only succeeded in 2006, after which the group had laboriously provided evidence of the scene-specific change in meaning of the term.
Worldwide importance
Since it was founded in 1976, Dykes on Bikes have participated in numerous demonstrations, Pride parades, gay games and other LBGT events around the world . For example, they could be seen at parades in Melbourne , Paris , London , Tokyo , Toronto , Vancouver , Sydney , Zurich , Tel Aviv , Vienna , Cologne and Greece .
In Germany there has been a chapter in Hamburg since August 2, 2010. Unlike most chapters, the German club does not use the DOB's usual back patch logo, which consists of a red triangle with a stylized gear wheel. Because of the unintentional similarity to the identification of the prisoners in the concentration camps of the National Socialism , the group uses the symbol of a V-engine , which is surrounded by a feather headdress in the rainbow colors. There is also a local group in Austria that takes part in the gay parade in Vienna.
Pop Culture
Members of the San Francisco chapter appeared in a 2014 episode of the US series Sense8 in a Dyke March.
Another group made an appearance in the 2018 film The Mule . There an encounter between the Dykes on Bikes and the protagonist played by Clint Eastwood was shown.
Web links
- San Francisco Chapter of the Dykes on Bikes
- Dykes on Bikes Hamburg
- Scene with Clint Eastwood in The Mule
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b The Woman Behind Dykes On Bikes Has Died. Retrieved February 15, 2020 .
- ↑ Dykes on Bikes: About Us. Accessed February 15, 2020 (German).
- ^ Susan E. Krantz: Reconsidering the Etymology of Bulldike . In: American Speech . tape 70 , no. 2 , 1995, p. 217-221 , doi : 10.2307 / 455819 .
- ^ In Memory: Soni Wolf, 'Dykes on Bikes' Founding Member. May 5, 2018, accessed February 16, 2020 .
- ↑ a b Sam Whiting: Soni Wolf, who founded Dykes on Bikes and fought to protect its name, dies. May 5, 2018, accessed February 16, 2020 .
- ^ Sarah Karlan: Meet The Dykes On Bikes Of San Francisco. Retrieved February 16, 2020 .
- ↑ Dykes on Bikes Co-founder Soni Wolf Dies. Retrieved February 15, 2020 (American English).
- ↑ Sam Whiting: Soni Wolf, who founded Dykes on Bikes and fought to protect its name, dies. May 5, 2018, accessed February 16, 2020 .
- ↑ a b National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC) - Article. July 1, 2007, accessed February 16, 2020 .
- ^ IJMS / K. Alex Ilyasova: Dykes on Bikes and the Regulation of Vulgarity. April 24, 2018, accessed February 16, 2020 .
- ↑ Lesbian bike brigade demands trademark for club name . Pakistan Daily Times. July 28, 2005. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008. Retrieved on August 21, 2007.
- ↑ Warm May Gay Festival . What's on when. 2007. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved on August 21, 2007.
- ↑ a b GAY IN VIENNA: Dykes on Bikes Austria. April 7, 2015, accessed February 16, 2020 .
- ↑ Sapphite links Groups & Communities . Sapphites in Greece. July 30, 2006. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved on August 21, 2007.
- ↑ DOB Hamburg: About us. Retrieved on February 16, 2020 (German).
- ^ "The Wachowskis shoot scenes for Sense8 at Dyke March in San Francisco" . Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ↑ Steve Rhodes: The Wachowskis shoot scenes for Sense8 at Dyke March in San Francisco . Retrieved May 22, 2018.