Lesbian Visibility Week Explained

Type:visibility week
Holiday Name:Lesbian Visibility Week
Observedby:LGBT community, lesbians
Duration:1 week
Frequency:Annual
Firsttime:1990

Lesbian Visibility Week (related to Lesbian Visibility Day) is an annual observance in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries dedicated to increasing the awareness of lesbian women and their issues. It was originally celebrated in July in 1990 in California, and more recently in April,[1] [2] starting with Lesbian Visibility Day on April 26.[3] It has been celebrated in England[4] [5] and Wales.[6] [7]

Historical observations

In mid-July from 1990 to 1992 in West Hollywood, Lesbian Visibility Week was celebrated annually.[8] It was conceived out of lesbians' frustrations with the higher visibility of gay men than lesbians, and intended to gain awareness and sociopolitical capital.[9]

The week was coordinated by West Hollywood Lesbian Visibility Committee and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and devoted to raising awareness of lesbian identities and topics and celebrating the lesbian community. The celebration was "a combination of cultural programming, workshops addressing current and impending needs, awards ceremonies, and social events." The events included film screenings, safe sex discussions, dog shows, marches, and more.[10]

Recent observations

2020

In 2020, Linda Riley, publisher of Diva magazine, began a new Lesbian Visibility Week. The inaugural week took place from the 20th of April 2020, ending on Lesbian Visibility Day, 26 April.[11] [12] LGBT speakers included president of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis Henderson, BBC Newsreader[13] Jane Hill, and UK Black Pride founder Phyll Opoku Gyimah. Some brands and companies hosted their own events.[14] [15] [16]

2021

Lesbian Visibility Week 2021 took place between 26 April and 2 May 2021, and was powered by DIVA magazine, Stonewall (a charity) and Facebook. During this week, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan[17] flew the lesbian flag at City Hall, London to launch the week.[18] [19]

2023

Lesbian Visibility Week 2023, celebrated from April 24 to April 30, highlighted the theme of trans-inclusivity,[20] featuring collaborations with prominent organizations such as Deliveroo, Greene King, GLAAD, and Mermaids. The week was notable for its use of social media campaigns employing hashtags like #LWithTheT and #LVW23 to promote engagement and visibility across the LGBTQIA+ community. A highlight of the week was the DIVA Awards,[21] hosted by Sophie Ward, which underscored the achievements within the sapphic community.

Related observations

International Lesbian Day is a related observation that is observed on October 8 annually. It started in New Zealand in the 1980's and is celebrated mainly in New Zealand and Australia.[22] [23]

Sapphic Visibility Day is observed on April 9 annually. It started in the US as a celebration of the diverse identities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, emphasizing the significance of Sapphic individuals - including queers, nonbinary and trans-folks.[24]

National Day of Lesbian Visibility (Portuguese:) is an established date in Brazil created by Brazilian lesbian activists and dedicated to the date on which the 1st National Lesbian Seminar - Senale took place, on August 29, 1996. It happens every since 2003.[25] [26]

In popular culture

Several celebrities have come out in Lesbian Visibility Day including Megan Rapinoe, Da Brat, and Lena Waithe.[27]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-04-26. Lesbian Visibility Week 2021. 2021-07-09. LCR Pride. en-GB.
  2. Web site: LGBT Pride and Awareness: Celebrating International Lesbian Visibility Day. 2021-07-09. abc10.com. 27 April 2021 . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2018-04-26. Lesbian campaigners tell us what Lesbian Visibility Day means to them. 2021-09-09. PinkNews . en-GB.
  4. Web site: Lesbian Visibility Week | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | StaffNet | The University of Manchester.
  5. Web site: 2017-04-26. Lesbian visibility matters. 2021-09-09. Stonewall. en. 2021-09-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210909185500/https://www.stonewall.org.uk/node/48453. dead.
  6. Web site: Ali. Joseph. 2021-04-29. Lesbian Visibility Week: Influential gay women from Wales. 2021-07-09. WalesOnline. en.
  7. Web site: Ennis. Dawn. 2021-04-26. It's Lesbian Visibility Day! Lez celebrate those in sports. 2021-07-09. Outsports. en.
  8. Web site: Wood. Stacy. Ponce. Sabrina. Finding Aid for the Lesbian Visibility Week records. 2021-09-09. 2022-04-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20220419132932/http://pdf.oac.cdlib.org/pdf/ucla/mss/lesb1948.pdf. dead.
  9. Web site: Moore. Mary. 1995-07-06. COVER STORY : Out in the Open : West Hollywood Lesbians, With Help of City Officials, Are Being Seen--and Heard. 2021-08-26. Los Angeles Times. en-US.
  10. Web site: 2019-04-09. GAY LA: When Lesbian Visibility Was an L.A. Specialty. 2021-08-26. The Pride LA. en-US.
  11. Web site: O'HaraApril 22. Mary Emily. 2020. How Lesbian Visibility Week Forces Brands to Pay Attention. 2021-09-09. en-US.
  12. Web site: 2021-04-12. Lesbian Visibility Week 2021: 26 April - 2 May. 2021-07-09. Stonewall. en.
  13. News: 'We do like a rave!' Inside the UK's last lesbian bars. en-GB. BBC News. 2021-07-09.
  14. Web site: Lesbian Visibility Day: LGBT+ women in sport share advice on sexuality. 2021-07-09. Sky Sports. en.
  15. News: Wilson. Lena. 2020-06-30. How Women Did Pride in a Pandemic Year. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-07-09. 0362-4331.
  16. Web site: International Lesbian Visibility Day 2021 « EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community. 2021-07-09. europeanlesbianconference.org.
  17. Web site: 2021-03-25. Sadiq Khan: I will fly the lesbian flag above City Hall for Lesbian Visibility Week. 2021-07-09. DIVA. en-GB.
  18. Web site: 2021-03-31. Lesbian Visibility Week. 2021-07-09. Workplace Pride. en-GB.
  19. News: 2021-04-26. Lesbian Visibility Week 2021: Celebrate LGBT+ women in sport - Sports Media LGBT+. en-GB. Sports Media LGBT+. 2021-07-09.
  20. Web site: Lesbian Visibility Week 2023 is delivering a powerful trans-inclusive message. 2023-04-24. 2024-03-28. The Pink News.
  21. Web site: 2023 . The LSEG DIVA Awards shortlist is here: Vote for your favorites . 28 March 2024.
  22. Web site: Checkiday. It's International Lesbian Day!. 2021-09-09. Checkiday.com. en.
  23. Web site: 2020-10-08. Celebrations for International Lesbian Day around the world. 2021-09-09. QNews. en-us.
  24. Web site: 2024 . Sapphic Visibility Day . 28 March 2024.
  25. Web site: 2019-08-29 . Dia do Orgulho Lésbico: entenda por que a data é necessária . 2022-05-19 . . pt-BR.
  26. Web site: Jonas . Alessandro . 29 de agosto – Dia Nacional da Visibilidade Lésbica . 2022-05-19 . Secretaria da Justiça e Cidadania de São Paulo . 29 August 2020 . pt-BR.
  27. Web site: 2021-04-26. Lesbian Visibility Day: Celebrating Stars' Coming Out Stories. People (via yahoo.com).

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