Advocates in Quebec are calling for continued recognition of Lesbian Day of Visibility (LDV) 40 years after its first celebration in Montreal in 1982. The day is intended to bring attention to the discrimination and invisibility experienced by lesbian women and sexual diversity. Women have been marginalized throughout history, especially those who identify as homosexual, bisexual or trans, leading to inequalities that are often not recognized. Despite increasing visibility of sexual diversity in society, there is still a great lack of awareness of the realities of lesbian, bi and queer women. Right-wing ideology is also on the rise, further emphasizing the need for continued recognition of the LDV.
Geneviève Labelle and Mélodie Noël Rousseau, co-spokespersons of the LDV, emphasize the importance of making themselves visible in the face of ongoing discrimination and ostracism. The Naming to Exist campaign, launched by the Quebec Lesbian Network (QLN), seeks to allow those who have been silenced to speak out and reclaim their identity. The campaign recognizes that the term «lesbian» is often used pejoratively, and that reclaiming the term is an important step towards countering shame and validating identities.
Despite increasing representation of sexual diversity in the media, there is a tendency to showcase women who conform to traditional beauty standards, ignoring the diverse experiences of all lesbians. The QLN aims to address this by launching their book, «Lesbian Archives,» which tells the stories of «women who love women and who have shaped Quebec society in the shadows.» The book is an anthology of lesbian history, revisiting the stories of those who have left their mark from yesterday to today.
The QLN is celebrating the LDV with a party at the Bain Mathieu creative space in Montreal, featuring panels on issues experienced by queer women and an award ceremony for activists who have contributed to the cause. The event is meant to celebrate sexual diversity among women and promote queer joy, an important aspect of the LGBTQ2+ community.