Lesbian Visibility Day is 26 April

Lesbian Visibility Day is celebrated annually on 26 April, a day to recognise and celebrate the contributions of lesbian women around the world.

Lucy Gericevich, Manager Recruitment and Appointment, explained it’s a day where lesbians can celebrate their uniqueness with the broader human community, but also celebrate their togetherness with the queer community.

“It’s such a huge step forward in our society that we have these special days to celebrate and acknowledge our own journeys, and to be included,” she said.

Lucy said that while she had known most of her life that she was different, it wasn’t until she was in her 40s that she knew she was gay, after meeting the love of her life.

“When I came out to my mother she was shocked and asked me not to tell anyone in the family. This was the same woman who then accepted my partner as another daughter, and then later berated me for not inviting my Aunt to our commitment ceremony!

“I did keep true to my word of not telling the family at first. Although, my father and brother-in-law said, ‘they always knew.’”

Lucy said she has experienced a little bit of prejudice from the public after coming out as a lesbian, but she has been fully supported within HSS.

“I’ve been really lucky in that I really haven’t faced any discrimination or marginalisation over my sexuality. HSS as an organisation has been nothing but supportive.

“The older I get, the more comfortable and confident I am in my own skin, so I’m able to deal with any obstacles that I come across.

“I attended a conference in Canberra earlier this year where Magda Szubanski was one of the guest speakers. I think she summed up my experiences of prejudice perfectly when she said, ‘I have experienced more prejudice from being overweight than I ever have about being gay.’”

While at this conference, Lucy said she had never felt more positive about being a lesbian and part of the queer community. She said it was empowering to be in a group of 400+ individuals who were all there to be their true selves, to support each other and the wider community.

“Magda is a huge inspiration to me. Although she has been out for family and friends from a very young age, her publicly outing herself to support same sex marriage was a huge decision and has influenced me and my decisions around the queer community about what I can do, in my own small way, to help whose who are less supported than I am.”

Lucy said that in addition to Magda, there are many wonderful role models in media and pop culture for most parts of the queer community, and pointed out there are more and more TV characters who identify as lesbian, and whole shows that are made on that premise.

“I think that society, in general, has come a long way. The stereotypical lesbians in the past were all dykes, they were rough and dressed in a more masculine form and they were ‘out to convert every straight woman they could find’.

“I think now there is less fear about lesbians and the queer community in general. There is so much more information available, discussions are being had with younger people about sexual identity, and stigmas are slowly being removed. This isn’t to say that it’s ‘all rainbows and unicorns’ now, but I think people are less ostracised and more accepting of those who identify differently.”

When asked how non-lesbians could show solidarity and support for lesbians on Lesbian Visibility Day, and beyond, Lucy noted that ‘merchandise is always the friend of an ally.’

“Show your support by wearing an ally pin or a rainbow lanyard - it’s a great way to start. I also would suggest that if non-lesbians or non-queers have questions, respectfully ask them.”

And, when asked what message she would like to share with readers of this story on Lesbian Visibility Day, Lucy said:

“Lesbians are people just like everyone else.”