This LVW, we’ve partnered with ILGA World to find out more about rainbow families around the globe
Happy Lesbian Visibility Week 2025. This year our theme is all about family. We’ve partnered up with ILGA World, a worldwide federation of more than 1,900 organisations from over 160 countries and territories campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex human rights to find out what family means to activists all around the world.
This is what family looks like to Crystal, Programme Officer for Sex Characteristics at ILGA World and an intersex rights activist.
What does family mean to you?
Family, to me, means love, safety, and a sense of home. It’s not always about blood – sometimes it’s the people who choose you and love you without conditions. As a queer intersex woman, I’ve come to know that family is who holds space for all of who you are, especially the parts the world doesn’t always understand or accept. Family is about deep connection, shared care, and mutual support – whether that’s with relatives, close friends, or a chosen community.
Tell us about a typical day in your family life.
A typical day is full of small, meaningful moments – quiet breakfasts, shared check-ins, laughter over dinner, the occasional chaos of life happening all at once. We try to be intentional about how we show up for each other. Being part of a queer family means we’re often navigating the world together, supporting one another in spaces that don’t always reflect us. But it also means we celebrate fiercely, love loudly, and carve out joy wherever we can. There’s a rhythm of resilience and care that guides us.
How have things changed for LGBTQIA+ families over your lifetime?
There’s been a real shift over time. When I was younger, there was so much invisibility and stigma around LGBTQIA+ lives and families. We were often erased, misunderstood, or seen as “too different” to belong. Legal recognition, social acceptance, and visibility have all improved – but not equally, and not for everyone. Intersex people, in particular, are still fighting for bodily autonomy and recognition, and queer families still face barriers, especially when it comes to parenting rights, healthcare, or safety in certain spaces. But the conversations are louder now. We’re not hiding – we’re building community and claiming space.
What are your hopes for the future for LGBTQIA+ families?
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