Despite the pandemic, lesbians around the world again celebrated International Lesbian Day yesterday.
Although predominantly celebrated in Australia and New Zealand, 2020 saw lesbians worldwide celebrating the day on social media.
They celebrated, promoted awareness and also shone a light on the discrimination and prejudice many still face.
While the exact origin of the day remains unknown, many believe it began with a Lesbian Day March held in New Zealand in 1980.
Queer Screen tweeted to both honour and celebrate the achievements of fabulous lesbians everywhere.
Happy #InternationalLesbianDay! 💜Today we join the global celebration of lesbian visibility, honour lesbian history and culture, and recognise the achievements of fabulous lesbians everywhere! pic.twitter.com/GeSGhM5sAh
— Queer Screen (@Qscreen) October 8, 2020
Stormé DeLarverie
Vintage Pics and others took to Twitter to remember Stormé DeLarverie, the butch lesbian whose arrest many remember as sparking the Stonewall protest. Since her death, Stormé has been described as the ‘Rosa Parks of the gay community’.
Happy #InternationalLesbianDay!
What a perfect day to celebrate Stormé DeLarverie, a butch lesbian who’s arrest sparked the Stonewall uprising pic.twitter.com/AdcQTosUBV— vintage pics (@60spics) October 8, 2020
Stormé, who died in 2014, worked for many years as a bouncer at lesbian bars after an earlier career as a drag king. As a member of the Stonewall Veteran’s Association, Stormé also regularly attended Pride celebrations and volunteered as a street patrol worker.
Share the love on International Lesbian Day
While some used the day to make political points, some simply raised visibility by sharing the love.
Happy #InternationalLesbianDay all the love to all you fabulous lesbians and everyone else!!! 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/wxsd1XiyJn
— Holly Van Ristell (@HollyRistell) October 8, 2020
While others chose the day for momentous announcements.
Might as well announce it on here since it’s #internationallesbianday
We’re engaged! I cannot wait to call this beautiful woman my wife.💍👩❤️💋👩 pic.twitter.com/UBZG80U8wc— Mariela. (@MarielaFragoso4) October 8, 2020
And some made posts that we just liked.
View this post on Instagram
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For further reading about lesbian history, check out the incredible Dr Lilian Cooper, Queensland’s first lady doctor and her lifelong partner Josephine Bedford.
For the latest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) news in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
