Lesbian Visibility Week
What’s Lesbian Visibility Week and why are we talking about it? Put simply, it’s a week to celebrate, shine a light on and amplify Queer Women and non-binary people. The brainchild of Diva Publisher and Trans in the City Champion Linda Riley, it’s been a firm fixture since 2020 – celebrating the contribution of Lesbian and Bi Women to arts, business and wider society – and why do we care? Well – that’s an easy one, because Trans Women are Women, and some Trans Women love Women. So by definition, they are Lesbians!
When Linda kicked things off, a couple of notable things happened – the first was that the word ‘Lesbian’ was reclaimed as something to be proud of and wear as a badge of honour; for many Cisgender women, describing themselves as ‘Lesbian’ felt risky – connected to a very male centred view of something a bit ‘naughty’ or worse still – invalid. Stories of women who for years felt compelled to hide their identity at work for fear of exacerbating disadvantages they already faced as a result of their gender meant that for many they were forced to live a secret life – something that any trans person of any sexuality can empathise with and understand.
The second thing that happened was that a vocal minority tried to use the event as a means to further invalidate Trans Lesbians – with the warped logic that no trans woman was really a woman, and could not therefore be a Lesbian. Something seized on by the right wing press – and something that Linda Riley stamped out rapidly. Making it clear that her view, and that of the vast majority of Lesbian women in the UK was that our community is an inclusive one and there is room for everyone.
The overriding element of the week is its’ intersectionality – look at any of the events being held, from conferences, to film festivals, to parties and the amazing Diva Awards and you will find Black Lesbians, Disabled Lesbians, Intersex Lesbians, Trans Lesbians and all varieties of Women who love Women represented. The tagline for this year speaks volumes - #UnifiedNotUniform – and that’s the absolute truth. Our members and leadership team have found nothing but a loving welcome at events and express love and gratitude for the welcome, the visibility and frankly the fun that we get to share in.
Despite what those of us who live under a largely male gaze would think, LVW is not about sex, or dating (well not entirely!) – it’s about building communities, making connections in the office, the streets, at sports events and yes, sometimes at home. It’s about ‘visibility’ for a reason, too many LBTQIA women hide in the shadows, deal with internalised and socialised homophobia and the week almost gives ‘permission’ to be ourselves – and the impact lasts long beyond the end of the week – the connections made and the light of visibility means that those role models we hear about in this last week of April are able to lead the conversation, influence policy and act as a much needed voice of unity, inclusion and love for 365 days a year. Because after all – Lesbians are Lesbian 24/7/365 and we should be visible all year round.