
โThereโs not many places in Kitchener Waterloo where itโs like, this is our queer space. And this is where we go,โ Jules Hall said.ย
Hall is part of Dyke Bar Takeover Kitchener Waterloo; an organization which aims to create safe spaces and events for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
Kitchener Waterlooโs lack of queer spots has become increasingly apparent with the regionโs constant shutdown of gay bars. โWe have lots of young people and different organizations,โ said Hall. โBut thereโs no common meeting ground.โ
DBTโs focus on womenโs experiences sets it apart from other queer space organizations. โWe want to center women specifically, but weโre never going to turn someone away,โ Hall said. โThe wording we use usually draws in people who are primarily women or those interested in a women-centric event.โ
When listening to Hall talk about DBTโs events, it was hard not to notice the variety beyond bars. From comedy and trivia nights to the recent outdoor art afternoon at Schneider Haus historic site, events appeal to multiple audiences.
โWe can use the ability to support queer or marginalized performers. But the event itself doesnโt necessarily have to be centered around gayness,โ Hall said.
The pandemic hasnโt stopped DBT from creating safe spaces; most of their events so far have been held virtually, with some in-person. Their upcoming collaboration with the Kitchener Public Library, for instance, will be on Zoom.
Itโs a considerable effort given the scope of the event, which will include a storytelling workshop and performances.
The organization’s careful planning is clear with the precautions theyโre taking. Notably, performers may have the chance to pre-record at the library to avoid connectivity issues.
Hard work is not exclusive to any one DBT event โ the team is constantly coming up with new ideas to bring people together. Theyโre currently working on a baking themed event for next month, which Hall called โclose to [her] heart.โ
The original DBT is in New York, and it inspired offshoots such as the one in Kitchener-Waterloo. โThey helped us get started and provided some advice for us,โ Hall said. โThe whole idea that our two founders came up with came from Dyke Bar Takeover New York, but weโre not tightly affiliated with them.โ
Affiliated or not, Kitchener-Waterlooโs Dyke Bar Takeover is a promising chance for the LGBTQ+ community to come together. For a region devoid from vibrant queer spaces, their prescence is not only hopeful, but also much needed.
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