We hear a lot of assumptions about lesbians and queer women from non-queer people. Often these assumptions are rooted in sexist and misogynist structures in our society.
Those assumptions can be particularly confusing for those who are new to the lesbian community. That’s why we’re bringing you this list of things that most non-queer people won’t have ever heard of or don’t understand about lesbians and queer women!
1. Women’s Music Festivals
Women’s music festivals are a great way to meet other lesbians in a fun and safe environment. These festivals also allow for a wide variety of activities and workshops.
The Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, for example, is one of the longest-running women’s music festivals in the country. It paved the way for other festivals like Lilith Fair and Ladyfest to follow suit.
2. Brooklyn
Brooklyn has a lot to offer the lesbian community. From storied bars to feminist bookstores, it has a long history of creating spaces that represent resistance and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community.
The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing on Tuesday to designate the headquarters of the Lesbian Herstory Archives as an individual landmark, which would make it the first lesbian site to be landmarked in Brooklyn.
3. South of Nowhere
South of Nowhere is a landmark TV series that paved the way for future lesbian teen shows. It tackled realistic issues such as sex, pregnancy, racism, teen drinking and drugs, death, hate crimes, domestic violence, religion and homosexuality.
But what really made it great was its edgy approach to queer things. It was the first teen show to feature a gay couple (Spencer and Ashley) as regular characters.
4. Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to support your community, meet new people, and feel good about yourself. It also allows you to get your hands dirty and make a difference in the world.
The research reviewed explored barriers to volunteering using a range of demographic descriptors, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
5. Sex Toy Stores
Sex toy stores are a key player in the world of pleasure. They sell everything from dildos and vibrators to nipple toys and BDSM gear.
They’re also a great place to get educated about your sexuality and the best toys to use in a safe environment. Some of their online education videos are even free.
6. Sex Pledges
A growing number of youths take virginity pledges — public or personal commitments to remain a virgin until marriage. These pledges are part of abstinence-only education programs that claim to prevent unplanned pregnancy and STIs.
Pledges often include humiliating and demeaning rituals designed to control a girl’s behavior. These rituals can have a harmful effect on a pledge’s self-esteem and judgmental mindset.
7. Independent Queer Theater
If you’re in the mood for a night out, independent queer theater is an excellent choice. Not only does it provide an opportunity for lesbian and gay artists to shine, but it also provides an avenue for presenting international queer stories.
For example, La Jolla Playhouse presents “As You Like It” with a cast of transgender, nonbinary and queer actors. It’s a fun and touching production that celebrates the joy and love of being alive.
8. Stonewall
Fifty years ago, an uprising outside the Stonewall bar in Greenwich Village helped spark a modern gay rights movement. Like Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on the bus in Alabama, it ignited an entire community and fueled civil rights activism across the country.
Back then, gay bars were often raided by police for a variety of reasons. Many were operated by criminals and had no legal protection. They would extort wealthy patrons with bribes.
9. Family Dinners
One of the simplest and easiest ways to foster connections is to create a ritual at the dinner table. From games to literacy ideas, there are lots of small ways you can incorporate fun into your family dinner routine.
It’s no secret that family dinners can get exhausting after a long day, but there are many ways you can make it a little more engaging.
10. Rainbow Gear
The rainbow has become a common symbol for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth. Visible symbols, shared narratives and other cues help produce group boundaries and self-awareness among young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (Cohen 1985; Brass 1991).
This visibility may prompt conversations with fellow members of the community that eventually turn into supportive relationships. But when brands capitalize on the LGBTQ+ community, they often minimize the ways that LGBTQ liberation is tied to colonialism, racism, sexism and capitalism.