Dykes on Bikes: Women bikers made a bold move 50 years ago, changing Pride parades forever

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Kate Brown still remembers the first time she saw Dykes on Bikes at the San Francisco Pride Parade.

It changed her life.

"Before you see Dykes on Bikes, you hear them. You hear hundreds of motorcycle engines turning over, and there's this cacophony of sound, and then you see them coming," said Brown. "And when I experienced that it was a very palpable feeling, I was like that's me, that's exactly who I need to be."

Brown wasn't a rider then, but the experience inspired her to take riding lessons and buy a motorcycle.

Today, she's president of a group whose story began 50 years ago at the 1976 San Francisco Pride Parade.

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"It was the Gay Freedom Day March and a small group of dykes were on their motorcycles and decided to move from the back to the very front of the march. We've been known as Dykes on Bikes ever since," Brown said.

It was a bold move at the time because it went against the status quo.

"We didn't want to be behind the gay men. We really wanted to claim our own space, and we've always been pushing that boundary and being loud and saying, 'Here we are. See us.'"

Maria Puhakka has been riding a motorcycle for 43 years, but she's only been involved with Dykes on Bikes for the past four years.

She's the road captain who organizes monthly rides that can cover more than 150 miles.

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"You are smelling everything, hearing everything. You have the power. It's just a wonderful feeling. Dykes on Bikes represents freedom: freedom of speech and freedom of existence."

Sue Bolander calls it wind therapy. She started riding 40 years ago and has been part of co-ed rides, but really enjoys the camaraderie of the dyke rides.

"It's a great culture to be around when you're with other women that have the same likes and the same interests. I just enjoy it," said Bolander.

The organization fought to use the work "dyke."

The U.S. Patent and Trademark office first refused to let them use the word "dyke" and then to use the logo.

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The government said it was disparaging towards lesbians. Dykes on Bikes took the case to the Supreme Court and won twice.

"It was a major victory for LGBTQ rights, for freedom of expression, for being able to take an epithet, words of hate and use them in a self-referential manner and say this is exactly who we are. 'Dyke' has always been a word that conveys power, that conveys strength," Brown said.

San Francisco is the mother chapter of Dykes on Bikes. It has trademarked the name and licenses for chapters around the world.

Many of those Pride parades also follow the San Francisco tradition of having Dykes on Bikes lead the festivities.

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"As soon as the motorcycles start up, the crowd starts roaring. And to be right there in the front and have everybody see you first, it's just a natural high. We empower each other," said member Ann Furia.

This year, the Dykes on Bikes contingent will be followed by a flatbed truck with several motorcycles strapped down.

On them will be Brooke Oliver, the attorney who defended the right to use the word "dyke" before the Supreme Court.

And one of the women who made the courageous move to the front of the parade half a century ago.