This speech was given by Dr. Ifunanya Dimaku on the occasion of the International Day of Lesbian Visibility, 26th of April 2023 in Munich. The rally was organized by volunteers with support from LeZ, lesbisch-queeres Zentrum München.

„Dear queer siblings, 

 For too long, lesbians have been silenced, marginalized, and made invisible in society. But now is the time for us to come out of the shadows and embrace our identities with pride and confidence.

Lesbian visibility is crucial because it challenges the myths and stereotypes that have been perpetuated about us for centuries. It shows the world that we are not just a footnote in history or a punchline in a joke, but rather, we are complex, diverse, and deserving of respect and recognition. It is necessary to shade light on hidden categories of lesbian existence. We exist as :

• Lesbians of colour
• Transgender lesbians
• Asylum seekers and refugees who are lesbians
• Disabled lesbians
• Poor lesbians
• Unemployed lesbians
• Lesbian households
• Single parent lesbians
• Elderly lesbians
• Lesbians that are religious such as Muslim lesbians, Christian lesbians, Jewish lesbians, Hindi lesbians etc
• Feminine looking lesbians
• Non-binary lesbians
• Polyamorous lesbian couples
• Lesbians with adoptive children/lesbians looking to adopt
• Homeless lesbians
• Lesbians who prefer no labels

When we are visible, we inspire others to be visible too. We create spaces for others to come out and be themselves. We pave the way for future generations to live in a world where being a lesbian is no longer stigmatized or taboo, but celebrated and accepted.

Lesbian visibility is also important because it helps us build a sense of community and belonging. When we see other lesbians living their lives out loud, it reminds us that we are not alone, that there are others out there who share our experiences, our struggles, and our triumphs.

Visibility is also a powerful tool for advocacy and social change. When we make ourselves visible, we challenge the systems of oppression that have kept us down for so long. We demand that our voices be heard, that our stories be told, and that our rights be protected.

So, my dear friends, let us embrace our visibility as a powerful tool for liberation. Let us be proud of who we are and show the world that we are here, we are lesbians, and we will not be silenced. Let us inspire others to join us in this fight for equality and justice until everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, can live with dignity, respect, and love, for our visibility have the power to change the world.

Thank you.“

Dr. Ifunanya Concilia Dimaku (she/her) is a medical doctor and holds a master's degree in International Health System Management. She is particularly concerned with the design of basic frameworks for emerging global systems and how to ensure that health systems are effective and sustainable as well as inclusive, diverse and equitable. She is an activist for human rights, especially women's and LGBTIQ* rights, and writes under her artist name Chribaxe. She has been active in Munich since summer 2022 and in the lesbian-queer center LeZ.