Dyke Community Activists was a group of lesbian social justice activists who worked together in Seattle for around 21 years, hosting numerous community events to bring lesbians together to learn about and support progressive political movements, both locally around the globe. The group arose during the late 1980s as part of a women’s response to the first Palestinian Intifada (uprising). Using the name Palestine Panel Project, a mixed group of Jewish and non-Jewish lesbians organized events, displays, and demonstrations to educate people about the roots of the uprising. In order to make their lesbian identity more visible, they added Lesbian Work Group to their name.
During the mid-1990s, group organizers decided to expand their focus. They did wide outreach in the lesbian community for new members and chose the name Dyke Community Activists to reflect their deepest commitments. For the next 15 years or so, DCA organized movie-discussion nights and other events on a broad range of issues. Some memorable events were a women’s dance with live music by Yva Las Vegas that raised $1000 for Palestinian women, a showing of the documentary Two Towns of Jasper that sparked a candid conversation about racism, and series of events for the 2008 GALZ/ASWAT tour, that brought lesbian activists from Zimbabwe and Palestine into the heart of the Seattle lesbian community.
For many years, DCA was also involved in organizing the Dyke March, twice as the major organizing group. They worked to reinforce the political underpinnings of the march, and were instrumental in ensuring the presence of a bus to allow dykes with disabilities to be a meaningful part of the march. Another significant tradition was a yearly celebration of International Women’s Day with an event honoring local women activists for their often-unsung work to improve their communities.
Though DCA fundraisers drew in only modest amounts of money, their real value was in providing a place for progressive lesbians and their allies to come together to discuss important political and social issues. Though some core members were involved in the group since its inception, many others have participated for long and short periods. The group was organized as a collective, with a modified consensus decision-making process.
