OUR MISSION: Dykes Only Space (DOS) seeks to provide space that is solely for dykes on Pink Saturday in Dolores Park. We claim this space in order to be visible, honor our resilience, and share dyke camaraderie. We are founded and continue to be led by Black and Indigenous women of color who prioritize dykes of color, dyke elders, disabled dykes, trans and gender non-conforming dykes, and all dykes who live at the intersections of race, class, sex, gender, age, and ability. ALL dyke identities are celebrated and welcomed!
 


OUR HERSTORY:  Dykes Only Space formed in 2015, when a small group of longtime Dyke March organizers split off in reaction to the increasing homogenization of this one day marked as ours. This day was hard won by dykes in cities across the country more than 30 years ago. We sought to fight being simply absorbed by “Pride” and even more so, to push back at the ever-encroaching masses of non-dykes on this one day, by delineating an area of the park with what has become our signature and beloved “Dykes Only” caution tape. Nine years later, our footprint has grown and has welcomed back dykes who made this day possible, those who had long since stopped attending pride festivities, and dykes brand new to our beautiful community. 

***There has been no “official” march or rally since 2018. This year, a new committee has formed in an effort to rebuild. Dykes Only Space is in full support of this effort; however, we are a separate entity focusing on an exclusive dyke space. We remain 100% volunteer run, unpermitted and without any connection to law enforcement. While we sure know how to have a damn good time, our presence is a protest, not a party, nor parade. ***

If dyke herstory speaks to anything, it’s to our strength and resilience. Despite the ever-increasing pressures to erase us from our own day, political and logistical red tape, not to mention a full-on global pandemic, we’re still here. We continue to stand against corporate sponsorship.

2025 marks 32 years since we claimed this day as our own here in San Francisco.

In June of 1993 dykes in cities all across Turtle Island gathered in an effort to address the need for grassroots dyke organizing, visibility, solidarity, joy and justice. We gathered and took to the streets. We gathered and we rallied. Here in San Francisco, we claimed Dolores Park as the kick-off to our march and to serve as our home base for this one “dyke day." Over the past several years, there have been mighty attempts to shove us from this place and some of us have deeply considered throwing up our hands and letting ourselves be relocated. However, we’ve determined that while our resilience means bending, adjusting and growing, it also means we honor the traditions that strengthen us. There is power in continuing to show up to this same patch of grass. We will not be moved. We will not be broken.