Celebrating Lesbian Visibility Day with some words from our board
Lesbian Visibility Day, observed on April 26th, celebrates the achievements and existence of lesbian women around the world, highlighting their contributions to society and advocating for their rights and recognition.
It is crucial that we challenge invisibility and marginalization, and provide visible role models for young people, both in sport and culture, but also throughout society.
This Lesbian Visibility Day we asked our lesbian board members to explain why visibility is so important to them.
“Visibility not only affirms our existence but also empowers others within the community to come forward and be proud of who they are.”
Guin Joyce Ballard, Officer of Ceremonies
“For me, the representation of sapphic, gay women and lesbian is sports fosters on a personal level, a deeper sense of community and resilience against the odds. Even as we continue to struggle for equal rights, body autonomy and pay. I think sports empowers us to hype up and speak out for the equitable treatment of others whom are often sidelined or silenced.”
Grace Thompson, Officer of International Development
“It’s important for lesbians to be open and active in the world of sport and to fight for the opportunities to work at the professional level. We still have to work harder and be faster and smarter than men to have the chance to succeed.”
Kimberly Hadley, Officer of Sport
“As a global sports community, we are stronger when we fight together for equality. We ALL deserve to have a place to play and enjoy the sport that we love. We make sure that ALL women feel welcomed, included, empowered, and celebrated in every league or tournament we join, because we strive for openness, acceptance, and respect to ALL our community, proving that authenticity is the ultimate champion on and off the field.”
Judith Solanas, Officer at Large
“It's important to have lesbian visabity as all aspects of womanhood needs to have its recognition to show we exist in all shapes, ideals and forms.”
Joanie Evans, Co-President
“Seeing other women that are like me in my club or on the sports field makes coming out in a new club much less scary.”
Viv Woodcock - Downey, VP of Operations
“By raising our voices and sharing our stories, we inspire other lesbian women to feel proud of who they are. // Al levantar nuestras voces y compartir nuestras historias, inspiramos a otras mujeres lesbianas a sentirse orgullosas de quienes son.”
Angelica Saenz, Officer at Large