“We aim to reveal the truths of this genocide, educate others on Palestine’s history, and rally the queer community in support for Palestine’s right to exist and thrive”
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY @HANNAHDINGLE
On Saturday (20 September) dykes in Norwich, Manchester and Leeds hiked the length of the Gaza Strip to raise money for Gaza Sunbirds. Walking for approximately 12 hours, the 26-mile hike had already raised £14,500 by the time they had finished.
Despite some groups facing relentless rain, the Dykes Against Airstrikes group taking part kept spirits high in order to raise awareness and money for Gaza Sunbirds to provide community-led aid in Gaza. Gaza Sunbirds was initially founded to support the growth of a professional para-cycling team, but has since focused its efforts on providing essential resources to those in Gaza.
Right now, 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced, and over 65,000 have been killed. In the last week, Gaza Sunbirds lost one of their own members, Mohammed Al-Madani, who was killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while looking for aid.
Karim Ali, co-founder of Gaza Sunbirds, said: “The Dykes Against Airstrikes campaign has shown how powerful it is when communities come together through sport and movement. By raising over £15,000 for the Gaza Sunbirds, you’ve not only supported our work but carried the cause of Palestine into spaces where it is too often unseen. That unity and inclusion is the essence of what we believe sport can do – bring people together across borders, struggles, and identities.”
Dykes Against Airstrikes’ hike was supported by Aurora Bar & Restaurant, Queer Brewing, First Draft Bar, The Bowling House, Tiny Barbers, Pixie Riot Cabaret and Victoria Rose Pilates.
Nic Mitchell and Hannah Dingle, organisers of Dykes Against Airstrikes, spoke about the need for the LGBTQIA+ community to speak up: “We’re watching ethnic cleansing unfold before our eyes, on our socials, on our televisions. Dykes Against Airstrikes will not stand by and accept it. We aim to reveal the truths of this genocide, educate others on Palestine’s history, and rally the queer community in support for Palestine’s right to exist and thrive. As a group of queer women, trans and non-binary people, we do not support the pinkwashing of this occupation and are advocating for an end to the genocide and a free Palestine.”
You can still donate now to Gaza Sunbirds. Donations close on 30 September. Donate here.
DIVA magazine celebrates 31 years in print in 2025. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA+ media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
