Dyke: Difference between revisions

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    [[File:Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March 2018.jpg|thumb|A photo of the 2018 Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March. A [[genderfluid]] flag is visible behind the main banner.]]
    [[File:Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March 2018.jpg|thumb|A photo of the 2018 Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March. A [[genderfluid]] flag is visible behind the main banner.]]
    The word '''dyke''' or '''dike''' commonly refers to a [[lesbian]], particularly one with [[masculine]] or [[butch]] traits (although [[femme]]s can also be dykes<ref name="dykemarch">{{cite tweet|user=bigbadbutchh|number=1296038472982003712|title=like fr look at this dyke march|date=19 August 2020|archive-url=http://archive.is/m2mrT|archive-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>). The word is commonly considered a derogatory slur, but has been reclaimed and used positively by some lesbians.<ref>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dyke</ref><ref name="Krantz">{{cite journal|title=Reconsidering the Etymology of Bulldike|year=1995|last=Krantz|first=Susan E.|journal=American Speech: A Quarterly of Linguistic Usage |url=https://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1041&context=engl_facpubs}}</ref> Dyke is sometimes also used as an identity for non-lesbians, such as [[bisexual]]s.<ref name="dykemarch" />
    The words '''dyke''', '''dike''', '''bulldyke''' or similar, commonly refer to a [[lesbian]], particularly one with [[masculine]] or [[butch]] traits (although [[femme]]s can also be dykes<ref name="dykemarch">{{cite tweet|user=bigbadbutchh|number=1296038472982003712|title=like fr look at this dyke march|date=19 August 2020|archive-url=http://archive.is/m2mrT|archive-date=19 August 2020}}</ref>). The word is commonly considered a derogatory slur, but has been reclaimed and used positively by some lesbians.<ref>https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dyke</ref><ref name="Krantz">{{cite journal|title=Reconsidering the Etymology of Bulldike|year=1995|last=Krantz|first=Susan E.|journal=American Speech: A Quarterly of Linguistic Usage |url=https://scholarworks.uno.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1041&context=engl_facpubs}}</ref> Dyke is sometimes also used as an identity for non-lesbians, such as [[bisexual]]s.<ref name="dykemarch" />


    Notable [[nonbinary]] or [[genderqueer]] people who call themselves dykes include poet [[Eileen Myles]]<ref name="gqd">{{cite tweet|title=@DeJesusSaves @rugamarspr plus as a gender queer dyke I am trans|date=February 24, 2016|user=EileenMyles|number=702569073884811264}}</ref>, entrepreneur [[Al Sandimirova]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Costs of Identity: Running a business as an LGBTQ+ person |author= |work=Chasing the Dream |date=10 February 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |url= https://www.pbs.org/wnet/chasing-the-dream/stories/automic-gold-an-lgbtq-business-success-story/}}</ref>, and author [[Rivers Solomon]].<ref>[https://www.riverssolomon.com/bio Rivers Solomon bio]</ref>
    Notable [[nonbinary]] or [[genderqueer]] people who call themselves dykes include poet [[Eileen Myles]]<ref name="gqd">{{cite tweet|title=@DeJesusSaves @rugamarspr plus as a gender queer dyke I am trans|date=February 24, 2016|user=EileenMyles|number=702569073884811264}}</ref>, entrepreneur [[Al Sandimirova]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Costs of Identity: Running a business as an LGBTQ+ person |author= |work=Chasing the Dream |date=10 February 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |url= https://www.pbs.org/wnet/chasing-the-dream/stories/automic-gold-an-lgbtq-business-success-story/}}</ref>, and author [[Rivers Solomon]].<ref>[https://www.riverssolomon.com/bio Rivers Solomon bio]</ref>

    Revision as of 15:23, 7 November 2020

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    This article mentions reclaimed slurs, potentially offensive terms, and genital anatomy. If you are not comfortable with reading about this kind of topic, we suggest you take a step back.
    A photo from the 2019 DC Dyke March. The banner says "All Dykes Celebrated Here" and lists many types of dykes including queer dykes, black dykes, bi dykes, butch dykes, femme dykes, gnc dykes, latinx dykes, trans dykes, etc.
    A nonbinary person at the 2019 DC Dyke March.
    A photo of the 2018 Pittsburgh Dyke and Trans March. A genderfluid flag is visible behind the main banner.

    The words dyke, dike, bulldyke or similar, commonly refer 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][3] Dyke is sometimes also used as an identity for non-lesbians, such as bisexuals.[1]

    Notable nonbinary or genderqueer people who call themselves dykes include poet Eileen Myles[4], entrepreneur Al Sandimirova[5], and author Rivers Solomon.[6]

    In the 2019 Gender Census, 17 people (0.2% percent of respondents) wrote "dyke" as their identity, and one wrote "bulldyke".[7]

    History

    The etymology of "dyke" is uncertain. Some hypotheses for its origin include:

    • A shortening of hermaphrodite.[8][9]
    • Boudicca (Bou-dyke-ah), a Celtic queen who organized a revolt against the Roman Empire in 67 AD.[8]
    • From the slang term "get diked out" meaning "dress up".[8]
    • In the 19th century, "dike" was a slang term for the vulva.[9]
    • From the terms "bulldicker"/"bulldick", meaning "fake penis" or "fake man", describing the idea of "a woman with a clitoris extended enough to serve as a penis in lesbian relationships".[3]

    References

    1. ↑ 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.
    2. ↑ https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dyke
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Krantz, Susan E. (1995). "Reconsidering the Etymology of Bulldike". American Speech: A Quarterly of Linguistic Usage.
    4. ↑ @EileenMyles (February 24, 2016). "@DeJesusSaves @rugamarspr plus as a gender queer dyke I am trans" – via Twitter.
    5. ↑ "The Costs of Identity: Running a business as an LGBTQ+ person". Chasing the Dream. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
    6. ↑ Rivers Solomon bio
    7. ↑ Cassian (30 March 2019). "Gender Census 2019 - the public spreadsheet".
    8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Belge, Kathy (14 July 2017). "What is the origin of the word "Dyke"?". LiveAbout. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "dyke (n.)". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
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