October 8 marks International Lesbian Day, a global celebration of lesbian visibility, resilience, and pride. It’s a day to honour lesbians everywhere, from those who live loudly and proudly to those who are still finding safety and confidence in their identity.
As we move through 2025, this day feels especially powerful. Across the world, the rights and freedoms of LGBTQIA+ people remain under pressure, from laws restricting expression to rising anti-queer sentiment in many regions. International Lesbian Day is a reminder that visibility isn’t just about being seen; it’s about solidarity, safety, and continuing to demand equality for every member of our community.
“What do lesbians do?”
Crowd: “Get sh*t done!”
That chant echoed across the Sydney Harbour Bridge during WorldPride 2023, and honestly, it still rings true. Lesbians have long had a reputation for being practical, grounded, and reliable: the ones who roll up their sleeves and make things happen.
Jessica Bouyamourn is a proud lesbian woman.
No, we’re not all out there building log cabins every weekend (though, swoon!), but there’s something about our collective self-reliance that stands as quiet resistance to the systems that still try to box us in. In Sisters, the 2015 Amy Poehler and Tina Fey comedy, the lesbians at the party are mocked for their “Sarah McLachlan–Tracy Chapman mash-up”… until they unpack an entire DJ rig and turn the place into a nightclub. That’s lesbian energy.
The Backbone of Progress
Lesbians have always been at the forefront of LGBTQIA+ activism. Ever wondered why the “L” comes first in LGBTQ+? It’s a nod to the incredible lesbian leaders who cared for gay men during the AIDS crisis and protected their community in the decades when queer visibility was dangerous. Think Dykes on Bikes, leading Pride marches across the world: fierce, protective, and proud.
Today, that spirit lives on in the growing visibility of women’s sport and the incredible inclusivity lesbian athletes are championing both on and off the field. It’s change you can feel happening and it’s been a long time coming.
PBA Events BA (Lemons) Jessica Bouyamourn and Sara celebrate World Pride 2023.
Why Visibility Still Matters
In Australia, we’re fortunate to have legal protections and a culture that increasingly celebrates LGBTQIA+ lives. But across much of the world, including many of our neighbours, being a lesbian can still mean living in fear. That’s why visibility here matters: we show the world what safety, pride, and love look like when they’re allowed to thrive.
So this International Lesbian Day, whether you’re out and proud or quietly celebrating at home, know that you’re part of a powerful, unbreakable lineage.
READ MORE: Buy Rainbow 2025: Be Part of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ Small Business Fair
Celebrate with Us
If you want to connect with other women who love women, come along to Lemons: a night for lesbians, bi and pan women, friends, and allies. We meet on the second Thursday of every month, and this Thursday, October 9, we’ll be heading to Comedy for a Cause at the Newtown Pride Centre for the PBA Education Fund Awards Night.
READ MORE: Lemons Brings Women Together for Connection, Fun and Celebration
Then in November, we’re back at our usual home: Teddy’s, upstairs at the Warren View Hotel, for connection, conversation, and maybe a cheeky game (or three) of pool.
Lemons brings women together for connection. This is the group attending Lemons September 2025.
Everyone is welcome at the PBA! Check out our upcoming events.
With Love and Gratitude
The Pride Business Association (NSW) thanks every lesbian who paved the way for the freedoms and visibility we enjoy today. This year, let’s carry that energy forward, for those who can’t yet be visible, for those still finding their voice, and for those who keep getting sh*t done.
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Jessica Bouyamourn is a PBA Events Board Associate (Lemons)
