International Women’s Day: 10 inspiring LGBTQ+ women changing the world in 2026
Inspiring LGBTQ+ women to celebrate for International Women’s Day. (Gareth Cattermole/Taylor Hill/Valerie Macon/Getty)
Today (8 March) is 2026’s International Women’s Day and there is no better time to highlight the LGBTQ+ women helping make the world a better place.
International Women’s Day is an annual celebration of women across the globe, as well as a reminder of the continued work needed for true equality.
The theme of this year’s day is “Give To Gain”, a campaign that encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. The IWD non-profit notes that this year’s theme “emphasises the power of reciprocity and support”.
It adds: “When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.”
Here are just 10 amazing, queer women we are celebrating to mark International Women’s Day:
Cat Burns
We already loved British singer-songwriter Cat Burns, but we saw a different side to her on The Celebrity Traitors as she schemed alongside Alan Carr and Stephen Fry. The three-time Brit-nominated 25-year-old broke into the music charts in 020 with her track “Go”. Gaining popularity on TikTok, Burns proved she was not a one-hit wonder. She released her second album, How to Be Human, last October, which rose to No5 in the UK charts.
As mentioned, Burns was known for her artistry, but on The Celebrity Traitors, we got to know the woman behind the music. On the show, she opened up about her ADHD and autism, speaking with honesty about how her diagnosis impacts her everyday life.
Laverne Cox
Trans actress and LGBTQ+ activist Laverne Cox may have gained attention for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, but her career longevity is down to being unafraid to stand up for what is right. Cox holds many firsts: the first openly trans person to have a wax figure at Madame Tussauds, the first trans person to be nominated and win an acting Emmy, the first trans person to grace the cover of Time and Cosmopolitan.
The 53-year-old star continues to work hard; her upcoming memoir, Transcendent, is scheduled for release in June 2026. Furthermore, most of Cox’s social media is used to highlight pressing political events and draw attention to community engagement – including PinkNews posts.
Carla Denyer
Green Party MP Carla Denyer, who is bisexual and represents Bristol Central, has been a key voice in parliament when it comes to raising LGBTQ+ issues. The 40-year-old politician has been vocal on a range of issues, from environmentalism to trans rights in the UK. When selected in 2021, Denyer became the first openly bisexual leader of a major political party in England.
Denyer has used her voice to uplift the LGBTQ+ community on numerous occasions. Previously, she has noted trans equality does not “threaten [her] rights as a woman”. She has also written a PinkNews exclusive warning how the Equality and Human Rights Commission could become a “bigot’s charter”. Then, just a few weeks ago, she was heckled in parliament when speaking on LGBTQ+ inclusive sex ed in primary schools.
Amber Glenn
American figure skater Amber Glenn made us all proud as she secured gold at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in the team figure skating event.
Glenn, who identifies as pansexual, made history as the first openly queer woman to figure skate for Team USA at the Olympics. Though her Olympic journey was full of ups and downs, she has noted that coming out has made her a better athlete.
Outside of the Olympics, Glenn has proudly waved the Progress Pride flag and handled the pressure with incredible maturity. Her openness has allowed for more conversations to take place surrounding women in figure skating; she was initially worried she’d be looked at as less feminine because of her identity. “But I realised, well, if we’re ever going to get past that worry, someone has to do it,” she said about leading the change.
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard
Influencer Jessica Kellgren-Fozard has been using her platform to raise awareness of chronic illness and disability in the LGBTQ+ community, while also showcasing her love of motherhood and her vintage lifestyle. Kellgren-Fozard has been open about her life as a deaf and disabled activist. She has been making videos online since 2011, and with over a million subscribers, her tone has always been hopeful and optimistic.
Alongside her work online, the 37-year-old lesbian contributed a chapter to the anthology Owning It: Tales from our Disabled Childhoods, published last April. Speaking with candour about her experiences and platforming other voices, Kellgren-Fozard showcases the importance of the LGBTQ+ community uplifting one another.
Miriam Margolyes
When it comes to British icons, Miriam Margolyes is at the top of our list. You may think at this point the 84-year-old would have run out of hilarious anecdotes, but it seems she has a never-ending supply. Though she came out as “unapologetically woke” last year, Margolyes has always led with kindness and the sincere endeavour to learn.
Additionally, the lesbian British-Australian actress has never been one to worry about being outspoken. She has remarked that JK Rowling was “too harsh” in her views on the transgender community – Margolyes starred in the Harry Potter films as a Hogwarts professor. A national treasure who always reminds us to be true to ourselves, Margolyes is a real LGBTQ+ star.
Hunter Schafer
2026 is set to be a great year for Hunter Schafer. The year will see her star in pop epic Mother Mary and sci-fi miniseries Blade Runner 2099. Furthermore, she’s set to reprise her role of Jules in Euphoria season three, which returns to screens in April. Schafer has consistently showcased her acting prowess, bringing dimension to her characters.
When she’s not acting, the 27-year-old has used the spotlight on her to raise awareness of crucial issues. Last year, she took to TikTok to criticise the Trump administration for changing passport gender markers without citizen consent.
Kristen Stewart
Kristen Stewart may be best known for Twilight, but this year she proved that she’s wildly talented behind the camera. With her feature debut, The Chronology of Water, Stewart showcases real directional talent and cinematic vision.
The film, based on Lidia Yuknavitch’s 2011 memoir of the same name, chronicles the turbulent life of a woman who finds escapism in writing and swimming. After an abusive childhood, she navigates her own troubled relationship with motherhood and trauma.
The film is also the first from Nevermind Pictures, the production company set up by Kristen Stewart, Stewart’s wife, screenwriter-producer Dylan Meyer and producer Maggie McLean.
Alice Oseman
Author and illustrator Alice Oseman is the voice behind one of the popular LGBTQ+ show Heartstopper. This year, the show will conclude with a feature film. Adapted from Oseman’s upcoming sixth graphic novel, as well as the novella, Nick and Charlie, Heartstopper Forever will mark the end of Nick Nelson (Kit Connor) and Charlie Spring’s (Joe Locke) queer teen love story.
Away from her Heartstopper work, Oseman has been open about being aromantic and asexual. In a similar way to how Heartstopper has opened dialogues with young people, Oseman’s openness has helped conversations around normalising asexuality.
Lola Young
At 25 years old, musician Lola Young already has a Brit and Grammy win to her name. After her track “Messy” went viral on TikTok, Young quickly became an artist to watch in pop music. She was widely praised for her frank songwriting, which addresses topics of sex, bisexuality, ADHD and wanting more from her partners. After rumours spread about her being bisexual, Young clarified her sexuality in a TikTok comment: “I like p**** as well u kno.” She went on to write about her bisexuality on the opening track of her third album, I’m Only F****** Myself.
Last year, Young collapsed mid-performance. She bravely put her career on hold to take a break, something that can be understandably terrifying for an artist hitting her stride. However, upon her return, Young seems stronger than ever. At the Brit Awards, she took home the Breakthrough Artist award, marking an iconic moment in her career.
