U.S. Trademark Office Rejects Attempts to Register "Dykes on Bikes"

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/07/14/MNGR7DNPOQ1.DTL

Vic Germany thought registering a federal trademark for San Francisco's iconic Dykes on Bikes organization would be no problem. After all, the nonprofit lesbian motorcycle group has become internationally known for riding in the lead position at San Francisco's pride parade every year for nearly three decades.

Instead, the group has spent a humiliating two years slogging through the swampland of trademark law, with no end in sight, said Germany, president of the San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent, a.k.a. Dykes on Bikes.

Twice, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has rejected the Dykes' application, on the grounds that "dyke" is vulgar, offensive and "scandalous." Patent office attorneys even point to Webster's dictionary, which says dyke is "often used disparagingly."

i'd say this doesn't matter to you.

An excellent way to incense many
with absolutely no upside.

There is nothing wrong with the moniker
"San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent."
The tail should not wag the dog.

who is getting upset by the request

and who are you to decide what "moniker" is appropriate

this group is known as Dykes on Bikes; that is the title that they ride under

"San Francisco Women's Motorcyle Contigent" just flows, doesn't it? And the acronym, SFWMC, is so snappy!

Frankly, I'm tired of worrying about other people's sensitivities about a word that is used to describe ME, not them. If I, as a dyke, happen to approve of the word and want to use it, why whould it be denied.

There are several decades worth of positive usage of the word "dyke" in the gay community. It's a wonderful, strong word, and one that I have used for over two decades. I'm not giving it up and I don't think Dykes on Bikes should either. They've been around as long as I have and for god's sake if anyone has a problem with their name they should be over it by now.

who would refer to them as the San Francisco Women's Motorcyle Contigent--they are and will always be the Dykes on Bikes

and of course the Dykes on Bikes has led to the Mikes on Bikes

:rofl:

By taking back the word "dyke" and using it openly and even proudly, gay women are removing yet another weapon from the arsenal of homophobes.

Yes, it can still be thrown at me as an insult, but the emotional sting is missing and that's what attackers crave -- to see me cringe or flinch or stop doing whatever uppity thing they don't like. Instead, I can shrug off their use of the word without even thinking about it. And that lack of reaction robs them of a hit.

I'm queer, I'm a dyke, I'm a lesbian. Those aren't bad things to be and neither are the words to describe what I am.

Besides, "Dykes on Bikes" is just so... funny. I mean, really, who can't help but smile at the puckish rhyme. It's an immediate tell that the women are having fun, being themselves, roaring up those Harleys and not giving a damn who knows they're queer. I don't even like motorbikes, but every time I see a photo of them in the Gay Pride parade I just crack up.

No offense meant (I'm Jewish myself).

Along with "The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People."

Because many people now find the words "Negro" and "Colored" to be offensive, vulgar or scandalous.

Also, there's got to be some kind of anti-gay group that has the word "homosexual" or something similar in their trademark.

Can we file a complaint?