Lesbian Visibility Week

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Lesbian Visibility Week
Observed byLGBT community, lesbians
TypeVisibility week
Frequencyannual
First time1990

Lesbian Visibility Week (related to Lesbian Visibility Day) is an annual observance in the United States and the United Kingdom dedicated to increasing the awareness of lesbian identities and 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.[1][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 LGBT men than LBGT women, 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."[8] The events included film screenings, safe sex discussions, dog shows, marches, and more.[10][9]

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, 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]

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.[20][21]

In popular culture[]

Several celebrities have come out in Lesbian Visibility Day including Megan Rapinoe, Da Brat, and Lena Waithe.[22]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Lesbian Visibility Week 2021". LCR Pride. 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  2. ^ "LGBT Pride and Awareness: Celebrating International Lesbian Visibility Day". abc10.com. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  3. ^ "Lesbian campaigners tell us what Lesbian Visibility Day means to them". PinkNews - Gay news, reviews and comment from the world's most read lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans news service. 2018-04-26. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  4. ^ "Lesbian Visibility Week | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | StaffNet | The University of Manchester".
  5. ^ "Lesbian visibility matters". Stonewall. 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  6. ^ Ali, Joseph (2021-04-29). "Lesbian Visibility Week: Influential gay women from Wales". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  7. ^ Ennis, Dawn (2021-04-26). "It's Lesbian Visibility Day! Lez celebrate those in sports". Outsports. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  8. ^ a b Wood, Stacy; Ponce, Sabrina. "Finding Aid for the Lesbian Visibility Week records" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b Moore, Mary (1995-07-06). "COVER STORY : Out in the Open : West Hollywood Lesbians, With Help of City Officials, Are Being Seen--and Heard". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2021-08-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "GAY LA: When Lesbian Visibility Was an L.A. Specialty". The Pride LA. 2019-04-09. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  11. ^ O'HaraApril 22, Mary Emily; 2020. "How Lesbian Visibility Week Forces Brands to Pay Attention". Retrieved 2021-09-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Lesbian Visibility Week 2021: 26 April - 2 May". Stonewall. 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  13. ^ "'We do like a rave!' Inside the UK's last lesbian bars". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  14. ^ "Lesbian Visibility Day: LGBT+ women in sport share advice on sexuality". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  15. ^ Wilson, Lena (2020-06-30). "How Women Did Pride in a Pandemic Year". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  16. ^ "International Lesbian Visibility Day 2021 « EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community". europeanlesbianconference.org. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  17. ^ "Sadiq Khan: I will fly the lesbian flag above City Hall for Lesbian Visibility Week". DIVA. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  18. ^ "Lesbian Visibility Week". Workplace Pride. 2021-03-31. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  19. ^ "Lesbian Visibility Week 2021: Celebrate LGBT+ women in sport - Sports Media LGBT+". Sports Media LGBT+. 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  20. ^ Checkiday. "It's International Lesbian Day!". Checkiday.com. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  21. ^ "Celebrations for International Lesbian Day around the world". QNews. 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
  22. ^ "Lesbian Visibility Day: Celebrating Stars' Coming Out Stories". People (via yahoo.com). 2021-04-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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