DAY-9- Brussels Hosts Its First-Ever Dyke* March: A New Chapter for Lesbian Visibility

This Friday, May 16, 2025, Brussels is making history by hosting its very first Dyke March*. Inspired by similar marches around the globe, this event is all about visibility, pride, and protest for lesbian, queer, and FLINTA* communities (Women, Lesbians, Intersex, Non-binary, Trans, Agender, and more). If you’re looking for a space to celebrate, connect, and demand change, here’s everything you need to know.

What is a Dyke* March?

The Dyke* March movement began in the early 1990s as a response to the underrepresentation and discrimination faced by lesbians-not just in mainstream society, but even within gay (now LGBTQIA+) spaces. The term “Dyke*” (the asterisk is crucial!) is the English equivalent of the French “Gouine*,” and it’s used to signal inclusion for all lesbian, queer, and gender-diverse identities.

As the San Francisco Dyke March manifesto puts it:

“Dyke is not just a sexual orientation. It’s a political identity. It stands for community, solidarity, radical struggle, and love-whether you’re trans*, Black, Brown, queer, bisexual, lesbian, disabled, chronically ill, fat, femme, butch, Indigenous, or gender-fluid. It refuses erasure, displacement, appropriation, and hate.”

Why Brussels Needs a Dyke* March

The Dyke* March is more than a parade-it’s a protest for visibility and rights. It’s about making space for all lesbians, dykes, queers, and bi folks, in all their diversity. It’s a chance to be seen, heard, and celebrated on the eve of Brussels Pride.

If you identify as lesbian, dyke, bi, queer, or FLINTA*, this event is for you. Allies are welcome, too! For more info and the latest updates, follow @DykesBxl on Instagram and check out their Manifesto.

Event Details: How to Join the Dyke* March

• When? Friday, May 16, 2025
• Where? Meet at 5:30 PM at Crazy Circle (Rue du Prince Royal 11, 1050 Ixelles)-Brussels’ iconic lesbian bar
• March Start: 6:00 PM
• Route: From Ixelles to Saint-Gilles, via Avenue Louise and Place Stéphanie (1.7 km, about 1 hour, with accessibility in mind)
• At the finish: Community, speeches, open mic, and solidarity!
• Roller Disco: Into skating? Join the wild roller disco at 5:15 PM at Crazy Circle before the march kicks off!

The Dykonic Afterparty: Don’t Miss Out

After the march, the celebration continues at Ancienne Belgique with the massive DYKONIC party, co-hosted by queer collective Missfitte.

• Doors open: 8:00 PM
• Tickets: €15 presale, €17 at the door
• Lineup: DJ sets, live acts, and performances from JeanneTo, Planningtorock, Melissa Juice, Maara, SHYBOI b2b Goth Jafar, and Acid Lily
• Time: 8:30 PM – 3:00 AM
• Vibe: Ballroom-inspired, inclusive, and unforgettable

Why This Matters

Events like the Dyke* March are vital for visibility, solidarity, and joy. They create safer spaces, challenge stereotypes, and remind everyone that lesbian and queer identities are powerful, diverse, and here to stay. Whether you’re marching, skating, or dancing the night away, your presence counts.

See you in the streets-and on the dance floor!

For more info, follow @DykesBxl on Instagram and check out the Dyke March Brussels Manifesto. Let’s make history together!*