This year confirmed all the reasons we love women, and more…
BY ELEANOR NOYCE, IMAGE VIA DYLAN MEYER ON INSTAGRAM
We’re here, we’re queer and we’re here to make it clear. It’s been a fantastic year for women who love women, and what better way to celebrate that than a run-down of DIVA’s most memorable #WLW moments of 2021?
Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer’s engagement
Ta da! Kicking it off is Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer’s engagement. The two lovebirds have long been smitten with one another. Back in November KStew announced, “We’re marrying, we’re totally gonna do it. I wanted to be proposed to, so I think I very distinctly carved out what I wanted and she nailed it”. Congratulations, ladies.
The next Royal wedding. https://t.co/w5DEmrjl9y
— NEON (@neonrated) November 2, 2021
Wegan launching legal action against NHS Frimley’s fertility sector
Lesbian couple Whitney and Megan Bacon-Evans launched a legal case against the Frimley branch of the NHS fertility sector in England in November, citing unjust barriers against LGBTQI couples seeking fertility treatment. NHS Frimley’s policy dictates that same-sex female couples, single women and people with wombs must pay for 12 insemination treatments to indicate medical infertility before receiving financial help from the NHS. The couple have spent over £8000 on donor sperm and compulsory pre-insemination tests. Shaping the discourse around NHS fertility policy, Wegan are championing LGBTQI medical rights.
Rebel Dykes’ win at LGBT+ Film Festival The Iris Prize 2021
This was a charming moment! Taking place in Cardiff in October 2021, this year’s Iris Prize celebrated the best of LGBTQI film. Supported by The Michael Bishop Foundation, Rebel Dykes won the prize for Best Feature Award. Directed by Harri Shanahan and Siân A. Williams and produced by Riot Productions’ Siobhan Fahey, the documentary follows the true story of the Rebel Dykes, a radical community of LGBTQI women and non-binary people living in post-punk 1980s London. Their win was a joyous moment for WLW in film, with their accolade presented by our very own Roxy Bourdillon.
Anne Lister’s statue being unveiled in Halifax
Everyone’s favourite historical lesbian, Anne Lister, secured permanent lodgings in her hometown of Halifax in September. With a brand spanking new statue unveiled by Suranne Jones herself. Portraying Anne in the legendary BBC series Gentleman Jack, Suranne was overjoyed to bring Anne to life in the £25,000 installation. Season two just wrapped, so stay tuned, DIVAs.
Arlo Parks swooping the Mercury Prize
Everyone’s favourite musical sweetheart, Arlo Parks, made #WLW history in September by securing the iconic Mercury Prize for her debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams. Narrating stories of queer lust and heartbreak alike, Arlo has been vocal about her sexuality in singles Caroline and Eugene. What a moment.
The moment @anniemacmanus announced the winner the Hyundai Mercury Prize! Congratulations again to @arloparks our 2021 winner.#HyundaiMercuryPrize pic.twitter.com/0sDyABG4WS
— Mercury Prize (@MercuryPrize) September 9, 2021
DIVA magazine celebrates 28 years in print in 2022. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQI media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
