This #LVW24, we take a look back at the journey that we took to get here
BY MEGAN BONLEY, IMAGE BY GETTY
Lesbian Visibility Week exists to uplift and celebrate lesbians and show solidarity with all LGBTQIA women and non-binary people in our community. This year’s celebration is jam-packed with fun activities to attend.
If you’re near London, there is a Shorts Programme: Real Talk & Q+A which is not to be missed! There will be short films about the lives of lesbian and queer women, from the UK, USA and India. The films will range from a documentary about Black British tomboys in the 1990s, as well as futuristic queer parenting scenarios.
And an event to catch in Leeds is Rendez-Vous Dance: The Monocle. The untold story of ‘Le Monocle’ (an underground nightclub in 1930s Paris) will be told, through Rendez-Vous Dance. The performance will dazzle you with live music and virtuosic movement to celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week.
Let’s look back at the history of Lesbian Visibility Week:
Lesbian Visibility Week was founded in 2020 by Linda Riley, publisher of DIVA magazine. This week also has the support of GLAAD, Stonewall, Kaleidoscope Trust, Black UK Pride, Albert Kennedy Trust (akt), LGBT Foundation, Mermaids, the Tatchell Foundation, and the list goes on!
Linda spoke to Stonewall about why the week was so necessary: “As the publisher of DIVA, the leading magazine for LGBTQI women and non-binary people, I wanted to use our platform to create a unique space. I decided to look at extending the day to a week and, with the help of a brilliant team at DIVA Media Group, in less than two years the week has already become an unmissable event in the LGBTQI calendar.”
In 2021, Lesbian Visibility Week was supported by DIVA, Stonewall and Facebook. Within this week, the lesbian flag was lifted by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Also to celebrate in 2021, DIVA held their own PRIDE, and some of the performances included Heather Small, Horse MacDonald, and Heather Peace!
In 2022, Sinitta performed at the London Stock Exchange. The star and LGBTQIA ally performed her hit song So Macho. Linda Riley led the Market Close Ceremony. Speeches were also given, by Linda Riley of course, Stonewall CEO Nancy Kelley, and London Stock Exchange CEO Julia Hoggett.
To celebrate in 2023, Wembley Arena and Glasgow’s Hydro Arena were lit up for the occasion. Also in 2023, the annual DIVA Awards were hosted by Sophie Ward, stage and screen actress, accompanied by a performance by Emeli Sandé.
Here’s to great celebrations this year for Lesbian Visibility Week!
DIVA magazine celebrates 30 years in print in 2024. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
