Since 2008, women who love women or lesbians have celebrated Lesbian Visibility Week in April all over the world. Its aim is not only to show solidarity with all LGBTQI women in their community. Sponsored by DIVA Media, Europe’s largest LGBTQI group, it’s the only media group that engages, supports, and unites LGBTQI women and their allies internationally. It has over 250,000 users every month.
DIVA magazine is Europe’s leading magazine for lesbians and bisexual women. Its awards celebrate the achievements of LGBTQ1 women, non-binary persons and their allies across the categories of politics, sport, the media, and business. With the “Visible 100,” you’ll find “out” recipients who have been given awards such as GLAAD’s board president Pamela Stewart and GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis. Linda Riley, publisher of DIVA, says her magazine “celebrates all sexualities and labels, not just lesbians, and has reclaimed the L in LGBTQI + to represent it as being fully respectful, accepting and inclusive.
What & When Are The Events?
This year, Lesbian Visibility Week is from April 26th to Sunday, May 2nd. The online events are free and live-streamed through Facebook and YouTube unless stated otherwise. You can watch the session after the Livestream on our YouTube and Facebook channels. Powered by DIVA, Stonewall, Facebook, some of the sponsors for the week’s celebration include GLAAD, LGBT Foundation, P & G, Citibank, to name a few.
A Sampling of Sessions In The Remaining Days
Friday, April 30, 10 a.m.-11:00am PRIDE WOMEN
Description: How can Pride events better support LGBTQI women and non-binary people. This timely conversation we will also explore the impact the pandemic has had on Pride organizations across the U.K. and beyond.
Friday, April 30, 11:30-12:30, LGBTQI Charities
Description: Conversation with some of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ Charities on how they’ve coped over the last year and how we can as a community better support LGBTQI women and non-binary people. Panel: Liz Ward, Director of Workplace, Stonewall. Alice Waller, Director, Opening Doors, Stephanie Fuller, General Manager, Switchboard, Lui Asquith, Director of Legal & Policy , Mermaids, Ellie White, Program Co-ordinator, LGBT + Foundation, Valentino Vecchietti, Founder, Intersex Equality.
Friday, April 30, 12:30-3:30 Stonewall Housing – Let’s Talk About LGBT WELLBEING!
Description: Round table to discuss LBT women’s experiences of health and wellbeing, when accessing housing. Hear real stories, latest research. The panel: Tina Wathern, Director of Education and Engagement, (Chair). Konstantina Diamanti, Services Manager, Jenny Jean Paul, Mental Health Advocate and Shaval Heaven, LGBTQ+ project worker, Cat Haldane, Fundraising and Initiatives Manager, Chloe Florence, House of Stonewall Diva Award Winner, LGBT+ project worker.
Stonewall The Community and Me: Self and Collective Care at Work
Friday, April 30. 14:00-15:30 .
Friday, April 30, 1400-14:30 Being Out and Proud LGBTQI + Women in the Workplace
Liz Ashford, H.R. Director from TSK has a conversation with SJ and Lesley around why being an out and visible LGBTQ1 woman is important in the workplace.
Involvement in Lesbian Visibility week will show your workplace:
- Employees and customers that you are actively supporting LGBTQ! Community as part of your overall Diversity and Inclusion strategy.
- Provide your company with an annual platform to actively and authentically support the LGBTQI women in your workplace.
- Give your company and employees insights and resources that can be used to better support your LGBTQ1 community or network on an ongoing basis.
- The LGBTQI women at work will provide an excellent development opportunity for your LBTQI and ally employers.
Friday,April 30. 15:30-16:15.Fireside Chat with Emma Reynolds and Natalie Coleman
Saturday, May 1. DIVA PRIDE. Co-hosts Char Bailey and Saski. Performances from Heather Peace, Horse MacDonald, Heather Small and many more.
Watch the DIVA Pride 2020
The Benefits of Watching Lesbian Visibility Week
Last year, Christine extolled LVW by saying “seeing so many inspirational women share their stories really helped me feel more valid and gave me the strength to speak more openly about bisexuality.
When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know
For more detailed advice, see book, co-authored with a mother of a gay son and a psychiatrist, Jonathan L. Tobkes, M.D.
