The inaugural Sonoma County Dyke March took place on June 21, 2026, marking an historic first for a region known for its deeply rooted LGBTQ+ population. Sparked by local resident Pam Adinoff and her partner, Nancy Kelly, the grassroots event was born out of a desire to combat the growing invisibility of aging lesbians at traditional Pride celebrations. Organizers deliberately framed the gathering as a “march” rather than a parade to maintain a political edge, directly protesting nationwide political attacks on queer and trans lives, reproductive freedom, and civil rights. An estimated 600 participants gathered at Santa Rosa City Hall before embarking on a short, fully accessible sidewalk march to Old Courthouse Square.
A central focus of the march was building an intergenerational community by intentionally bridging the gap between older and younger generations. While the event reclaimed the word “dyke” as an historic symbol of pride and defiance, the volunteer committee worked closely with younger LGBTQ+ community members to ensure radical inclusivity for trans, non-binary, bisexual, and sapphic individuals. The march culminated in “Lez-A-Palooza,” a vibrant, interactive street fair featuring community booths, art creation, and games designed to transform the public square into a joyous, connected neighborhood village.
A week later, on June 28, Adinoff and Kelly were among those who rode in the San Francisco Bay Times Pride Parade contingent.
Published on July 16, 2026
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