Posted by FYI on May 1, 2007, 5:21 pm “I remember marching in the early 80s with the Lesbian Mother’s Defense Fund. Being voted the 2007 Honoured Dyke is an honouring of the history that groups like the LMDF have made and of the incredible changes we’ve witnessed in the last 20 years for queer parents and their children” said Epstein on being named the 2007 Dyke March Honoured Dyke. Currently working as the coordinator of the LGBT Parenting Network at the Sherbourne Health Centre, Epstein developed Dykes Planning Tykes (with local midwife Kathie Duncan). A parent herself, Epstein is a prolific and very well respected researcher, writer, educator and activist on themes related to LGBTTIQQ2S parenting. She has worked with sperm banks and fertility clinics to ensure inclusion, access and equality, and has lobbied Health Canada to include LGBTTIQQ2S concerns in policies and regulations. “We are proud to have Rachel Epstein and Dykes Planning Tykes leading the 2007 Dyke March,” said Lenore MacAdam, Pride Toronto Co-chair. “Both have touched so many people’s lives through their inspirational and diligent work educating the community, to ensure that there is relevant information, options, resources and equal rights.” Developed in 1997, Dykes Planning Tykes (DPT) is a community-based program for lesbians, bi and queer women to explore options for bringing children into their lives. DPT is designed to provide prospective parents with information and a forum and community in which to make informed decisions and grapple with personal and social issues. To date, DPT has run 17 times with over 300 participants. Its popularity has seen the DPT course format and curriculum being used for similar courses all over the world. In Toronto, DPT currently runs out of the 519 Church St. Community Centre, and has spawned Daddies & Papas 2B and Trans Fathers 2B; courses for gay/bi/queer men and trans men, considering parenthood. “We look forward to marching in the Dyke March with our tykes,” said Carol Shery, a DPT participant. “DPT is a valuable resource that creates a safe and educational sense of community where I was absolutely thrilled to learn there were so many ways for me and my partner to have children.” Pride Toronto accepted nominations for the Dyke March Honoured Dyke and Honoured Group from the community-at-large. The nominees were then voted on by members of the women’s and trans’ LGBTTIQQ2S communities at the Pride Toronto General Meeting held on April 3, 2007.
Toronto, April 13, 2007 – Pride Toronto announced today that Rachel Epstein will be the 2007 Honoured Dyke for the Dyke March. Epstein will be joined by Dykes Planning Tykes as the Honoured Group, both leading the 2007 Dyke March on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
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