DIVA Launch Lesbian Visibility Week at London Stock Exchange

This week marks lesbian visibility week, a vital seven-day celebration of the lesbian community, as well as an opportunity to stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people everywhere.

Founded by DIVA’s Linda Riley, she has explained it is vital that this opportunity is used to celebrate all women, in particular those who are vulnerable or marginalized. “Building on this, we want to create a week that recognizes, celebrates and importantly supports lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women across the UK and beyond to be their true selves at work, at home and socially.”

The week was launched with an event at London Stock Exchange, with their CEO Julia Hoggett speaking on the importance of uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, her own journey accepting herself and how she sees her identity as a lesbian as a superpower that has helped make her a better leader. Linda Riley led the Market Close Ceremony, Sinitta performed, and Liz Ward chaired a brilliant panel on inclusion in the workplace.

Launching alongside Lesbian Visibility Week, DIVA celebrated their Power List containing 100 trailblazers that are changing the game for LGBTQ+ representation. Celebrating LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people the list is one part of wider work to platform usually underrepresented voices and ensure they can be heard.

“Our rights are not guaranteed: they can be threatened, as witnessed with the UK Government’s refusal to include trans and intersex people in the Conversion Therapy Ban,” DIVA explains. “Now more than ever, we need to shout at the top of our lungs and the DIVA Power List goes some way towards doing that.”

Featuring asexual activist, Yasmin Benoit, model and activist, Munroe Bergdorf; comedian and actor, Mae Martin, singer, Cat Burns, and many other names – it is a list that exemplifies the talent and range of LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people.

Included on the list is myGwork’s Michelle Raymond who shared thoughts on the event at London Stock Exchange: “What an amazing way to kick off Lesbian Visibility Week with Linda Riley, DIVA publisher and founder of Lesbian Visibility Week in the U.K., and the 100 fabulous trailblazers named to the 2022 DIVA Power List. It was great to see representatives from both myGwork and our corporate partners honored during the closing bell ceremony at the London Stock Exchange. A massive congratulations to everyone recognized on this list for doing their bit for the LGBTQI women and non-binary communities.”