The week saw events take place in the House of Commons, the London Stock Exchange Group, City Hall and more
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY LSEG
Lesbian Visibility Week (LVW) 2026 was about more than celebration. In these trying times for LGBTQIA+ people globally, it offered a space for reflection, regrouping and collective action. Taking place 20–26 April, the week was observed around the world, helping to amplify the voices of our community everywhere from the House of Commons to the dancefloor.
This year’s theme, Health And Wellbeing, proved to be a vital cornerstone of the week itself. In particular, the findings of our 2026 Kantar DIVA Curve survey acted as a stark reminder that too many LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary individuals feel dismissed or discriminated against in healthcare settings. In fact, the data shows that one in three LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people are delaying healthcare because they fear discrimination.
Jo Atkins-Potts, Strategic Lead for LVW, said: “This year, our research has shown us that visibility is still deeply conditional. It depends on where you are, who you are with, and whether it feels safe enough to be fully yourself. We’re not just talking about access, we’re talking about trust. We’re talking about whether people believe that they will be seen, heard and cared for when it matters most.”
LVW was launched at Pan Pacific on 20 April, providing a platform for DIVA Charitable Trust’s (DCT) executive director, Dr Lady Phyll, to stress the need and urgency for intersectional, trans-inclusive messaging surrounding conversations about LGBTQIA+ rights. This message was mirrored at the LVW House of Commons reception, hosted by Kate Osborne, where the founder and CEO of African Rainbow Family, Aderonke Apata, gave a powerful speech.
Aderonke said: “When policies are made, I’m not sure if our sector [people seeking asylum] of the LGBTQIA+ community is ever considered. I never see anything for them in the policies and decisions. We often get lost in the conversation. We are lesbians, regardless of where we come from.”
Dr Lady Phyll also gave a rousing speech about why creating spaces like LVW is so important. “Our experiences are not single issues. Our identities do not exist in isolation. The systems of oppression do not queue up politely; they collide together. Wellbeing is not just about access, it’s about safety. It means walking into healthcare institutions, it’s not a neutral setting.”
Another notable moment during the week saw the lesbian flag flying high at City Hall with London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard. Dr Lady Phyll also provided an inspirational keynote speech at the Vagina Museum’s Fanniversary Conference, talking about why proper health and well-being care is essential for the LGBTQIA+ community.
LVW returned to the London Stock Exchange Group for a special Market Close celebration. Attendees got to enjoy a thoughtful panel about inclusion in the workplace, a performance from the Beyoncé Experience and a whole lot of confetti.
The DCT Gala and Awards on Friday (24 April) was a powerful display of diversity, belonging and inclusion. The room was packed full of game-changing LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary people from our community, including Christine McGuinness, Mzz Kimberley, Jessica Kellgren-Fozard and more. The event also included a silent auction and countless powerful speeches about why DCT’s work is so vital.
The week was closed by several highly anticipated events like Gal Pals’ Lezzerfest, Mint’s Official Closing Party of Lesbian Visibility Week, UK Black Pride and Brown Sugar’s event at The Common Press.
Find out more about Lesbian Visibility Week 2026: lesbianvisibilityweek.com/
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Did you know that DIVA has now become a charity? Our magazine is published by the DIVA Charitable Trust. You can find out more about the organisation and how you can offer your support here: divacharitabletrust.com
