Chicago Dyke March Returns After 6-Year Hiatus, Marking 30th Anniversary During Pride Weekend

After six years away, the Chicago Dyke March is reclaiming its place in the city's Pride calendar — and organizers say the moment has never felt more urgent.

The Chicago Dyke March and Rally is set for June 27, kicking off at 1 p.m. near Dvorak Park in Pilsen, with a rally beginning at 3 p.m. at the park, 1119 W. Cullerton St. The return coincides with Pride Fest weekend, when the Northalsted neighborhood hosts one of the city's largest annual LGBTQ+ celebrations.

A Protest Tradition, Not a Parade

The march, which began in 1996 as a grassroots alternative to the corporate-dominated Chicago Pride Parade, is marking its 30th anniversary this year. It was founded by the Chicago chapter of the Lesbian Avengers, a direct-action group dedicated to lesbian visibility, and has historically moved through neighborhoods across the city — from Andersonville and Lakeview to Humboldt Park, Pilsen and Little Village.