Seven fabulous sapphic events to celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week
Get involved in Lesbian Visibility Week from April 20 to 26 .(Tristan Fewings/Getty)
How are you spending your Lesbian Visibility Week in the UK?
From Monday (April 20) to Sunday (April 26), there are so many fun, communal and educational events focused on celebrating and raising awareness of lesbian women and non-binary people.
To help guide your Lesbian Visibility Weeks celebration, here are some events to attend, from the annual DIVA Award to Brighton screenings, Scottish tours, and even a “fanniversary”:
Celebrating our Fanniversary: Feminism, Gender, and Justice in an increasingly Reactionary World
Hosted by the Vagina Museum, Celebrating our Fanniversary is a one-day conference exploring the contemporary role of feminism and gender in law, theatre, and the wider humanities. The event is in partnership with the Open University’s Feminism, Law and Gender cluster.
The event will feature a range of panels (on topics from politics to the body), followed by workshops, roundtables, performances and networking. You can attend the event in person or online.
Find out more about Celebrating our Fanniversary here.
Dyke Day in Brighton
Dyke Day in Brighton, running from 6pm to 10pm on Sunday (April 20), is all about community connection. The event will host DJs, arts and crafts, a photobooth, and a movie screening, plenty to get involved in!
The Dyke Day celebration is being supported by Brighton Dyke Collective, Brighton Queer Photographers Collective, Crafty Dykes, Dyke Sunday & Brighton Queer Movie Club. If you’re down south on the coast, it’ll be a perfect gathering for lesbians, lovers and allies.
Find out more about Brighton’s Dyke Day here.
DIVA Awards
The 2026 DIVA Awards are set to be the biggest yet. Hosted by DIVA Magazine, the awards celebrate LGBTQIA+ women and non-binary trailblazers. Individuals are celebrated across the worlds of entertainment, politics, business and more.
The evening, supporting DIVA Charitable Trust, will feature live performances from Horse, Ocean and Heather Peace. Furthermore, the event will include a live auction with “money can’t buy” lots.
Find out more about the DIVA Awards here.
Sapphic History Tour in Edinburgh
If you live in or around Edinburgh and want to know more about LGBTQ+ history in the city, this is a perfect event for you. Local guide Hannah Mackay Tait is hosting a two-hour walking tour that uncovers the hidden sapphic history of Edinburgh’s New Town.
From lesbian scandals to groundbreaking booksellers, there’s so much to learn while walking the Scottish streets. Additionally, you can follow the footsteps of lesbian icon Anne Lister on holiday with her Scottish lover, the subject of Gentleman Jack. Tickets are available by donation, with all proceeds going to DIVA Charitable Trust.
Find out more about the Edinburgh Sapphic History Tour here.
Representation 365 with UK Black Pride
In partnership with UK Black Pride, the University of the Arts London is hosting an event celebrating lesbian voices, lived experience and creative storytelling. It’s not a panel or lecture, but an informal, inclusive conversation that encourages an open dialogue.
Josie Peres, Trustee of UK Black Pride, and filmmaker Sharon “Rocky” Roggio will be in conversation for the event. Discussion topics will include the power of storytelling, documentary filmmaking, and amplifying voices that are too often marginalised.
Find out more about Representation 365 with UK Black Pride here.
Dykonic Times
Dykonic Times at The Clapham Grand is another highly anticipated event during Lesbian Visibility Week. Sapphic stories will be at the heart of a star-studded panel talk featuring singer Cat Burns, Drag Race’s Victoria Scone, influencer Georgia Wood and Dykonic activist Shiv Dave. The conversation will be hosted by influencer and presenter Charley Marlowe.
This non-profit event will raise funds for Queer Britain. Tickets will include a complimentary goodie bag courtesy of NYX Cosmetics and a chance to win Dykonic merch.
Find out more about the Dykonic Times at The Clapham Grand here.
The Arzner Cinema
Throughout Lesbian Visibility Week, The Arzner Cinema, an independent LGBTQ+ filmhouse, has programmed an exciting array of screenings. The cinema is hosting must-see sapphic dramas The Handmaiden, D.E.B.S., Mother Mary and a preview screening of Love Me Tender.
In addition to feature films, the cinema is showcasing shorts, previews, talks, and Q&As. The Arzner’s short film programmes – including themes of comedy, animated and animated – are a great way to see and support new sapphic storytellers.
Find out more about the Arzner Cinema screenings here.
