Read time:3 minute, 38 seconds

“Make sure our voices are heard, set the agenda, and change the conversation in a positive, meaningful way”

The biggest ever piece of research into the lives of women loving women (WLW) launches today, addressing the specific needs of LGBTQI women.

Conducted by DIVA Media Group, in partnership with Kantar, the people behind the world’s first Inclusion and Diversity Index, The DIVA Survey: LGBTQI Women’s Insight 2020 is a far-reaching state of the nation piece of research that will, for the first time, highlight the unique challenges faced by WLW, put the needs of lesbians, bisexual, queer, trans and intersex women centre stage, and shape the work of DIVA Media Group and its charity and corporate partners for many years to come.

WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW

91% WLW women agree there is misogyny in society towards LGBTQI women*

86% WLW believe LGBTQI men have more visibility in public life than LGBTQI women*

79% WLW have experienced misogyny within the LGBTQI community*

Launching the survey, DIVA Media Group’s Linda Riley said: “We know from the limited research that has been done previously that LGBTQI women face specific challenges relating to their sexuality and gender identity, and that homophobia combined with misogyny makes many women feel less able to be visible in many areas of life. A 2019 survey by social app HER, for example, found that 92% of queer women reported experiencing ‘some’ prejudice, while a 2018 Pride Matters survey by Pride In London showed that lesbians are two times less likely to be out in the workplace, compared to their gay male colleagues.

“We know some of the reasons why. But we want to know more about the challenges faced and, crucially, we want to tackle them. This research is a chance to make sure our voices are heard, set the agenda, and change the conversation in a positive, meaningful way.”

Linda Riley added: “DIVA has provided visibility for LBGTQI women on the newsstands for almost 26 years. Now, in launching this groundbreaking survey and Lesbian Visibility Week, DIVA Media Group is delighted to be shining an even brighter light on our lives and experiences, and build on that success with a week of inclusive events to recognise, amplify and celebrate all in our community.”

Kantar’s Mandy Rico said: “Inclusion and diversity is at the heart of our business agenda at Kantar. In a world that is so diverse, we should be our authentic selves, able to be open about who we are and what we bring to those we interact with. Working with DIVA Media Group has been a dream – it will really give us an opportunity to see how LGBTQI woman feel about who they are, how they are seen and portrayed in work, by the media, and other professionals with the aim of setting the stage for positive change.”

Laura Russell, Director of Campaigns, Strategy and Research at Stonewall, said: “We’re glad to see more research being done into the specific experiences of LGBT women. We can’t eradicate anti-LGBT attitudes in any meaningful way if we don’t at the same time work to tackle sexism. And to make real change for LGBT women, as a community, we need to challenge homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and sexism.”

The results of The DIVA Survey: LGBTQI Women’s Insight 2020 will be published during Lesbian Visibility Week. Launching at the Houses of Parliament on Monday 20 April, this inaugural celebratory week, headline sponsored by London Women’s Clinic, is spearheaded by DIVA Media Group with support from GSK, MyGWork and Tesco.

Lesbian Visibility Week will celebrate lesbian culture and put WLW front and centre with a series of inclusive events including the first ever LGBTQI Women Development Day on Tuesday 22 April, and the annual DIVA Awards, taking place at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London on Friday 24 April.

Lesbian Visibility Week is also supported by US magazine Tagg and leading charities including Stonewall, LGBT Foundation, Mermaids, UK Black Pride and Diversity Role Models.

Take the survey here: tinyurl.com/DIVAInsight20

Lesbian Visibility Week takes place 20-26 April 2020

To find out more, visit lesbianvisibilityweek.com and follow LVW on social using the handles below.

Instagram: @LesbianVisibilityWeek

Facebook: @LVWeek

Twitter: @LesbianVisWeek

*The Invisible Women report, published April 2019, which surveyed 500 women via the HER app

About the author

Newsdesk

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Close

Latest articles