Dyke
![]() |
The word dyke or dike commonly refers to a lesbian, particularly one with masculine or butch traits (although femmes can also be dykes[1]). The word is commonly considered a derogatory slur, but has been reclaimed and used positively by some lesbians.[2] Dyke is sometimes also used as an identity for non-lesbians, such as bisexuals.[1]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/DC_DYKE_MARCH_IMG_9994a_%2848034503686%29.jpg/300px-DC_DYKE_MARCH_IMG_9994a_%2848034503686%29.jpg)
A nonbinary person at the 2019 DC Dyke March.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Pittsburgh_Dyke_and_Trans_March_2018.jpg/300px-Pittsburgh_Dyke_and_Trans_March_2018.jpg)
A photo of the 2018 Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March. A genderfluid flag is visible behind the main banner.
Notable nonbinary people who call themselves dykes include poet Eileen Myles and entrepreneur Al Sandimirova.
In the 2019 Gender Census, 17 people (0.2% percent of respondents) wrote "dyke" as their identity, and one wrote "bulldyke".[3]
History
The etymology of "dyke" is uncertain. Some hypotheses for its origin include:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 @bigbadbutchh (19 August 2020). "like fr look at this dyke march". Archived from the original on 19 August 2020 – via Twitter.
- ↑ https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dyke
- ↑ Cassian (30 March 2019). "Gender Census 2019 - the public spreadsheet".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Belge, Kathy (14 July 2017). "What is the origin of the word "Dyke"?". LiveAbout. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "dyke (n.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 15 October 2020.