Happy International Lesbian Day!
October 8th is a historical day of celebration and connection within the lesbian community, remembering our history and reveling in our culture. Today, you might find your lesbian friends at their favorite sapphic bar, rewatching their favorite wlw movie, or listening to their favorite gay artist. There’s no wrong way to celebrate today!
So, how did this magical day come to be? The roots of International Lesbian Day are uncertain but most historians believe the holiday began in New Zealand in March 1980 when a group of 40 lesbian activists conducted a Lesbian Day March through the country’s capital, according to Pride New Zealand. The day was moved to October 8 to mirror International Women’s Day, which is celebrated March 8.
The first Australian event was held in October 1990 at Collingwood Town Hall in Melbourne. The International Lesbian Day celebration was full of music, readings, markets, and lots of dancing. According to research from Australia’s gay news source, Star Observer, a National Lesbian Independence Day March was set to take place in Sydney in 1978, but was thwarted by police due to the march’s “offensive and therefore illegal” nature.
International Lesbian Day has come a far way since the ’80s and is now observed worldwide, mainly within the LGBTQ+ community. International Lesbian Day is also connected to Lesbian Visibility Week, which is celebrated in April and mainly observed in the United States and United Kingdom. Lesbian Visibility Week is used to increase the awareness of lesbian issues and needs.
The month of October also marks LGBT History Month. The month’s designation began in 1994 in the U.S. and has since been observed in the U.K, Hungary, Germany, Australia, and Cuba. LGBT History Month serves as an education tool for gay and trans history. LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations use this month to celebrate queer icons and promote resources for the community. Happy International Lesbian Day!
