Lesbian Visibility Day has existed since 2008, but only in 2020 did the occasion expand to a whole week of events. This year's event comes in the wake of a survey conducted by DIVA media group revealing that over three quarters (77%) of queer women and non-binary people have found their mental health to have worsened during the pandemic.
One participant was quoted saying, “Uncertainty about the future has left me very anxious and sometimes it’s hard to push through feelings of despair and carry on. Concentration is difficult and things often feel hopeless”.
These feelings of low mood and anxiety were not limited to those with named mental health conditions.
“Just over half (51 per cent) of the whole sample considered themselves to have a mental health condition, but this figure also skyrocketed for young queer women and non-binary folk between the ages of 16 and 24 (67 per cent).” Pink News
Queer parents and those attempting to conceive (especially couples both assigned female at birth) are also struggling disproportionately with prenatal care during the pandemic.
Laura-Rose, the founder of LGBT+ Mummies Tribe, stated “We have people reaching out saying: ‘I’m really struggling, I’m the non-bio mother or parent. I don’t get addressed, I feel like I’m a third wheel, I’m not part of the journey. I’m really struggling, I’m really depressed, I feel really detached.'”
“All of the barriers imposed by the pandemic, on top of those that already exist for queer parents and the fact that LGBT+ people are more likely to suffer from mental health difficulties, have made for a “horrific” situation.”
Lesbian Visibility Week will run from 26th April to 2nd May, with a variety of workshops and events held by DIVA magazine and Stonewall.
The organisers have said, “It is essential that Lesbian Visibility Week is a voice for unity and lifts up ALL women, especially those who come from marginalised communities. Our aim is BOTH TO celebrate lesbians and show solidarity with all LGBTQI women and non binary people in our community. We believe in unity, and lifting up those who are most marginalised.”
To see more information and the full programme see below:
https://www.lesbianvisibilityweek.com/
