Speakers included Kate Osborne MP, Nia Griffith and Linda Riley
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGES BY JONATHAN PHANG
Lesbian Visibility Week (LVW) was kicked off once again in the House Of Commons yesterday (22 April) with the special launch of DIVA and London Women’s Clinic’s new manifesto on IVF and fertility justice. With speeches from Kate Osborne MP, Nia Griffith, founder of LVW Linda Riley and Anya Sizer, the event highlighted the number of barriers LGBTQIA women and non-binary people face when building families.
The event was attended by a number of MPs including Caroline Nokes, James Asser, Kim Leadbeater, Antonia Bance, Dame Angela Eagle, Olivia Blake and Nadia Whittome.
Kate Osborne gave an impassioned speech about her own experience with IVF, calling for a need for change. “This is a subject close to my heart. Everyone deserves the chance to start a family, no matter their sexuality or gender identity. It was around 16 years ago that I started the IVF process as part of a same-sex couple. At that time we went through unnecessary procedures, a long waiting list, and significant costs.”
Anya Sizer added: “We are proud to be working with DIVA and LVW to launch our IVF Equality Manifesto which provides five core asks. A piece of paper can change the world. We will keep striding, pushing forward and providing hope.”
With the backdrop of the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of the term “woman”, many speakers took the opportunity to show their support for the trans community. The event had a pledge, signed by attendees, to show their unwavering support for trans rights. Linda Riley, founder of LVW, spoke candidly about the ruling: “I can’t tell you how disappointing this ruling is. DIVA will be standing with our trans siblings. The DIVA family includes our trans siblings. We are L with the T every day, forever.”
This year’s Lesbian Visibility Week is celebrating LGBTQIA families. Lesbian Visibility Week was founded in 2019 by DIVA Publisher Linda Riley.
On Thursday 24 April in Westminster Hall, MPs will hold a debate on Lesbian Visibility Week.
DIVA magazine celebrates 31 years in print in 2025. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
