"We were just a collective of dykes that wanted to have a space to gather and connect to each other. So it went from being a wild idea after going out and getting back home and just thinking about it and chatting about it to actually being able to bring it to life, thanks to the Corner," says Knives, a member of the collective.
Soon, the Corner in downtown Miami became Dyke Nite's home base. (The bar is also home to the LGBTQ+ event Steer Queer.)
"A lot of lesbian events are very much rooted in this idea that they cater to cis women or ways that predominantly serve cis women," says Knives.
Photo by Mar Sub Laban/@marsublaban
Championing Vital Spaces
The collective uses an approach that recognizes the role bars and clubs have played as vital spaces for queer and trans people. "If I have to make an in-and-out list, it will be partying for the sake of getting drunk, out; partying for mutual aid, in," Knives says.After living in Miami for seven years, Knives is now based in New York City. "I still felt the need to continue making things and continue fighting the good fight because of the state of things in Miami and the state of things in Florida when it comes to the queer community and trans community," Knives adds.
Knives credits Masisi and Pressure Point's work in nurturing safer nightlife spaces for the Black queer community as the primary source of inspiration. The collective, which includes Phai, Lady JMW, Goddess Elektra, Sykada, Red, and Mar Sub Laban, pools its skills to build together without burning out.
"There's a big difference between a community organizer and an event promoter," Knives says. In Miami, parties are often cranked out to make money. Spaces where you can show up authentically are challenging to find. It's even harder when you're not white or cisgender.
"A lot of lesbian events are very much rooted in this idea that they cater to cis women or ways that predominantly serve cis women. And at Dyke Nite, we have an understanding that we cannot do absolutely anything without trans people, especially trans dykes and Black and brown dykes," Knives stresses. "Most, if not all, of our organizers are dykes of trans experience. And that is something that we felt, that there was a gap."
"All of our budget goes directly to our performers and our DJ," Knives explains.
Photo by Mar Sub Laban/@marsublaban
A Community Effort
Dyke Nite's model doesn't support egocentrism. "All of our budget goes directly to our performers and our DJ. Dyke Nite as a collective doesn't necessarily bring in a lot of cash because we're not doing it for that," Knives explains.After promoting its first party on January 11, Dyke Nite quickly amassed 200 Instagram followers. "I was not expecting that many eyes on us that fast, but it helps that a lot of the people that are involved in the collective have been involved in going to parties and going to the events and connecting to other people," Knives says.
Knives designed the flyer and invited Mistrix, a trans and queer collective he's part of that throws local kink events, to host. Vibraciones and Lady JMW DJed all-vinyl sets, and there was a strap-on ring toss contest.
When a member of the collective urgently needed help with housing, Dyke Nite quickly organized its March event, with the Doll Link Up curating a slate of all-trans performers. The collective also reached out to many local businesses, who all offered to pitch in raffle prizes.
"This is a labor of love," Knives says. "And it's a bunch of people coming together to actually support one of our community members."
Dyke Nite. With Lady JMW and SpiceZ. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday, April 20, at the Corner, 1035 N. Miami Ave., Miami, #101; thecornermiami.com. Admission is free.
