Gabriela Kandziora
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Melanie Davis
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Gus Wolter
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The tradition of Dykes On Bikes® leading the pride parade began in San Francisco in 1976. In the late 1980’s the SF Pride became more structured as it grew and the riders created the Women’s Motorcycle Contingent officially known in the community as Dykes On Bikes®. As the mother chapter, San Francisco filed, fought and won the right to trademark the name from 2003-2008. Since then the tradition has grown globally. As the name is a registered trademark, Dykes On Bikes & Allies was used to reference the motorcycle contingent leading the Portland Pride Parade up until 2014. The community had some confusion as to why Dykes On Bikes® by itself couldn’t be used. After the Portland Pride Parade of 2013, Pride NW facilitated a community meeting on Tuesday July 16th to clarify Dykes On Bikes® did not have an official chapter in Portland which affected the use of the name. The meeting also provided an opportunity for the community to discuss the future of Dykes On Bikes® in Portland. Gabriela Kandziora and Melanie Davis, not affiliated with Pride NW, lead the meeting describing the history of the trademark, how it applied legally and their intention to start an official chapter in Portland.
On July 21, 2013, the first official meeting of Dykes On Bikes® Portland began with founders Gabriela Kandziora (President), Melanie Davis (Secretary), Gus Wolter (Treasurer) and two others filling the roles of Vice President and Sargent of Arms taking the first steps to becoming an official chapter. Dykes On Bikes® became official in August of 2013. During the first three years, the founders and board members worked towards fulfilling the mission of supporting philanthropic endeavors in the LGBTQ and women’s communities, through rides, charity events, Pride events and spreading queer visibility.
On July 21, 2013, the first official meeting of Dykes On Bikes® Portland began with founders Gabriela Kandziora (President), Melanie Davis (Secretary), Gus Wolter (Treasurer) and two others filling the roles of Vice President and Sargent of Arms taking the first steps to becoming an official chapter. Dykes On Bikes® became official in August of 2013. During the first three years, the founders and board members worked towards fulfilling the mission of supporting philanthropic endeavors in the LGBTQ and women’s communities, through rides, charity events, Pride events and spreading queer visibility.
