| Lesbian Visibility Week | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | LGBT community,lesbians |
| Type | Visibility week |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | 1990 |
Lesbian Visibility Week (related toLesbian Visibility Day) is an annual observance in theUnited States, theUnited Kingdom and other countries dedicated to increasing the awareness oflesbian women and their issues. It was originally celebrated in July in 1990 inCalifornia, 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]
In mid-July from 1990 to 1992 inWest 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 theLos 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]
In 2020,Linda Riley, publisher ofDiva 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 ofGLAADSarah Kate Ellis Henderson,BBC Newsreader[13] Jane Hill, andUK Black Pride founderPhyll Opoku Gyimah. Some brands and companies hosted their own events.[14][15][16]
Lesbian Visibility Week 2021 took place between 26 April and 2 May 2021, and was powered byDIVA magazine,Stonewall (a charity) andFacebook. During this week, theMayor of LondonSadiq Khan[17] flew the lesbian flag atCity Hall,London to launch the week.[18][19]
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 bySophie Ward, which underscored the achievements within thesapphic community.
International Lesbian Day is a related observation that is observed on October 8 annually. It started inNew Zealand in the 1980's and is celebrated mainly in New Zealand andAustralia.[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 queer, nonbinary, and transgender people.[24]
National Day of Lesbian Visibility (Portuguese:Dia Nacional da Visibilidade Lésbica) is an established date inBrazil 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 everyAugust 29 since 2003.[25][26]
Several celebrities have come out in Lesbian Visibility Day includingMegan Rapinoe,Da Brat, andLena Waithe.[27]
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