ChattaDykes

We had a moment to check in with founder of the new group ChattaDykes, Jaclyn Dennis (she/they). We're excited to share what we learned!

So Jaclyn, tell us a little bit about yourself.

 I grew up nearby in Dunlap, TN and later in Chattanooga, mostly roaming & four-wheeling around the woods and spending any chance I could in the water (creeks, lakes, pools, or in the trajectory of a water hose). I still love the water and being outside, along with making art, making food, dancing, and playing music on guitar & piano. I also have a deep passion for social and environmental justice - for a couple years in Vermont that included serving unhoused neighbors full time, and now I focus a lot of my energy to learning and volunteering in environmental conservation. 

Tell us about ChattaDykes.

ChattaDykes is a group for connecting sapphic folks in Chattanooga by holding events and providing safe spaces for dykes to mingle, flirt, and build community. “Dyke” has traditionally been used as a derogatory term for lesbians, especially butch and masculine lesbians, but over time this word has been reclaimed as an empowering label that many folks identify with. “Dyke” includes anyone with a connection to womanhood who is attracted to other women or those with a connection to womanhood. This is inclusive of all genders, abilities, races, ethnicities, ages, sizes, and economic experiences. 

Why did you start ChattaDykes?

Queer community has always been vital for me. As is the case for many southern queers, I grew up religious and conservative. I started the lifelong process of unpacking my queerness in college, and my queer friends helped me feel safe and empowered while my world shifted.

When I moved to Vermont after college, knowing no one within a 1,000 mile radius, I realized I missed that community - specifically queer community. I ended up finding that in a lot of places, but especially in a local dyke night at a bar every month. I had never experienced the feeling of empowerment and validation that comes with being in a space with so many people who shared my identity and were so confident about it. It helped me start gaining that same confidence in my own identity.

Though I hadn't pictured myself moving back to the South, as life would have it I found myself back in Tennessee just a year and a half ago. Being back in Chattanooga made me miss the empowering, explicitly sapphic spaces I had found in Vermont. Inspired by the amazing existing Chattanooga queer spaces and organizing, I decided I wanted to bring to life my version of that sapphic space I had found home in a thousand miles away.

My hope is that I can contribute a small part in creating safe space for dykes to laugh, build community, and feel empowered in their identity.

What is your mission?

The mission of ChattaDykes is to empower fellow dykes and create safe spaces to chat, connect, and flirt. We’re starting with a monthly Dyke Night at a rotating venue that is TBA, but hope to put on more events based on folks’ feedback.

What are your 2025 goals?

My 2025 goals are:

• To laugh more

• To dance more

• To bake more

• To go on an adventure

• To share in that laughter, dancing, baking and adventure with other local queers :) 

• Anything else you’d like to add?

  You can follow us @chattadykes on instagram for updates on where and when Chattanooga Dyke Night will be happening. I can’t wait to see all you sapphics out there!