Lesbian Visibility Week is a time to celebrate, uplift, and recognize the power of lesbian voices. But have you ever wondered why the “L” comes first in LGBTQIA+?
The order of the acronym isn’t random. It tells a story — a story of care, activism, and resilience. Leading with the “L” is a deliberate choice that honors the role lesbians have played, often behind the scenes, in fighting for the liberation of the entire queer community.
Here’s why that matters.
Lesbians at the Frontlines of the AIDS Epidemic
When the HIV/AIDS epidemic began devastating the gay male community in the 1980s, fear and stigma were everywhere. Many people — including families, healthcare workers, and governments — turned their backs on those suffering.
But lesbians did not.
Lesbian women showed up when others wouldn’t. They organized blood drives when gay men were banned from donating. They became nurses, caregivers, and chosen family to men abandoned by their biological relatives. They fundraised for medical care, marched for policy change, and demanded attention to the crisis when the world wanted to look away.
This work wasn’t about being saviors — it was about solidarity. It was about showing up for their community.
As the activist group ACT UP famously declared:
“Silence = Death.”
Lesbians refused to be silent.
Pushed to the Margins, Still Leading the Way
Lesbians have often occupied a complicated space in queer movements. In mainstream feminist spaces, they faced exclusion because of homophobia. In gay male spaces, they were sidelined due to sexism.
Despite this double marginalization, lesbians remained a driving force in queer activism. From the early days of organizations like the Daughters of Bilitis (the first lesbian civil rights group in the U.S.) to the leadership of figures like Audre Lorde, Barbara Gittings, and Phyllis Lyon & Del Martin, lesbians consistently fought for visibility, rights, and justice — not just for themselves, but for the entire LGBTQIA+ family.
Prioritizing the “L” is one way of making sure these contributions aren’t erased.
Why Order Matters
Some people assume the acronym order is alphabetical. But if that were true, we’d say GLBTQIA+. And in fact, earlier versions of the acronym did begin with “G” — until activists pushed to center the “L.”
This wasn’t just a semantic change. It was a correction. A recognition. An act of honoring those who nurtured, protested, and carried the weight of care work during one of the darkest chapters in queer history.
It is a reminder that visibility is political. And order matters.
Lesbian Visibility Is About More Than Just a Letter
Lesbian Visibility Week exists because lesbians have often been overshadowed — even within LGBTQIA+ spaces. This week is about reclaiming space, amplifying voices, and celebrating lesbian joy, love, leadership, and resilience.
When we say the “L” goes first, we’re saying:
✔️ We see the labor of lesbian caregivers during the AIDS crisis.
✔️ We remember the activists who refused to let lesbians be erased.
✔️ We recognize that lesbians have always been here, showing up for themselves and for others.
Sources & Further Reading
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ACT UP Oral History Project
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“The Care Work of Lesbians During the AIDS Crisis” – LGBTQ+ History Archive
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The Legacy of Lesbian Activism in the AIDS Epidemic – TheBody.com
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“Why the L Comes First” – them.us
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Making Gay History Podcast, Ep. “The Lesbians Who Helped During the AIDS Epidemic”
Visibility is Power. Solidarity is Key.
This Lesbian Visibility Week — and every week — we honor the lesbians who continue to lead, love, and resist. Whether you’re out, questioning, loud and proud, or quietly living your truth: we see you. We thank you.
