Lesbian Visibility Day 2021: Abby Robson
Since the launch of Lesbian Visibility Day in 2008, it is indisputable that we have seen substantial progress in the face of acceptance and equality. More people than ever are coming together in celebration of days like today, which strive to highlight the experiences within our community, whilst continuing to tackle our struggles.
Although we have made this progress, Lesbian Visibility Day (and week) is still a vital opportunity to highlight both the issues facing lesbians, and the uplifting stories within our community. It’s also an opportunity to discuss the lack of lesbian visibility (throughout the rest of the year) and the need for us to make space for our voices. Through feeling represented, 365 days a year, we can come together to continue fighting the issues we face. There is power in feeling visible and knowing that others care about your experiences and struggles. Lesbians must be allowed to take up space, for shared support within the community, and feeling safe knowing you are heard.
It’s common knowledge that many LGBTQ+ spaces aren’t too welcoming to gay women, whether explicitly or not. Granted, others deserve their space too, but unfortunately many ‘inclusive’ spaces still hold a power dynamic which can exclude lesbians. Having frequently been declined entry to LGBTQ+ bars myself on the basis that I am woman, we must remember that these spaces should be home for us too. It’s important for us to have this space and visibility, to share experiences with those who understand what it is like to be a lesbian - shared understanding really does matter.
Living in a world which centres men, especially as lesbians, makes it almost impossible for us to find spaces to escape this. Without this community space, it’s hard to find your place, and even harder to feel visible. Lesbians hold a unique experience, one which comes with challenges of feeling valid, even within our own community. So often we’re told that we’re exclusionary for not liking men, which is a complete dismissal of what it means to be a lesbian. Harmful stereotypes are created about us, and often our fight to challenge these are ignored.
Only through elevating lesbians can we make progress. Bringing focus to the lack of representation can help with having our stories elevated, making sure we share our experiences and struggles in order to continue our fight for equality. Of course, much of our community shares similar difficulties and have crossover experiences, and it's important to remember to elevate everyones voices.
Not all lesbians share the same experiences, as a white, cis woman I definitely cannot represent every intersection of our community. The fight for more lesbian representation must be diverse and elevate those who need need their voices heard.
We need more solidarity, especially for lesbians from more marginalised communities. Appreciate and uplift the lesbians in your life, and unpack the ways that you can help us. Please share the things you see highlighted today, but don’t let us fall behind the rest of the year. Help us be visible and let us own our space.
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Words by Abby Robson for Learnest.