Dozens of people gathered on Water Street in downtown St. John’s Thursday evening for what organisers described as the first Dyke March in Newfoundland and Labrador, a procession aimed at reclaiming language and reminding the public of Pride’s protest origins.
Taking public space
Marchers walked along the waterfront chanting and carrying signs as part of the St. John’s Pride Festival. The event’s organisers framed the march as both a demonstration of solidarity for lesbians and a wider call for queer inclusivity.
Organiser Shalyn Smith told media the choice to use the word "dyke" was deliberate: they wanted to repurpose a historically derogatory term and turn it into a banner of empowerment for the community.
"Today, in using the term dyke, we are taking our power back, using it to liberate ourselves and gather as a community,"
Artists and allies were visible as well. Maddi MacNeil, the event’s art director, emphasised that the march was open to people across the queer spectrum and their supporters, not exclusively lesbians.
Context within Pride
The march forms part of the ten-day St. John’s Pride Festival, this year themed “This Party is a Protest”. Organisers and participants described the Dyke March as a reminder that Pride originated in acts of resistance, not merely celebration.
During the procession, attendees chanted slogans intended to be both defiant and inclusive. One chant that echoed through the crowd called for visible acceptance of lesbian identity:
"say it loud, say it clear, all dykes are welcome here!"
Local significance and responses
Organisers said the event was historic for the province, marking the first public march of its kind on the island. For many participants, the march was an opportunity to assert visibility in a city where Pride events have increasingly become prominent fixtures of summer civic life.
There were no reports of major incidents during the march. The visible mix of ages and backgrounds among attendees suggested the event drew both long-time activists and newer supporters.
- Event: Dyke March
- Location: Water Street, downtown St. John’s
- Context: Part of St. John’s Pride Festival
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Theme (festival) | This Party is a Protest |
| Organisers quoted | Shalyn Smith; Maddi MacNeil |
As Pride events continue through the weekend, the Dyke March is likely to be remembered locally for its intentional use of language and its emphasis on protest as part of queer identity. For residents and visitors planning to attend remaining events, festival organisers continue to publish schedules and accessibility information through St. John’s Pride channels.
For many in the crowd, the evening was both celebratory and political — a public reclaiming of space and words in the city’s heart.
