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Study, work or travel in the UK. British
culture and life.
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Subscribe
to:
Diva
(lesbian
magazine)
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Information for lesbian women coming to the UK
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INTRODUCTION
This page gives some basic information for lesbian women in the UK.
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VOCABULARY
Lesbian - a woman who is sexually attracted to other women
Dyke - another word for a lesbian (sometimes used in an unpleasant way)
Straight woman - a woman who is sexually attracted to men
Homosexual - someone who is attracted to a person of the same sex (may
be a man or a woman)
Bisexual (or bi or AC/DC) - a woman (or man) who is sexually
attracted both to men and women
Transgender - a person who has changed his or her sex
LGB (or GLB) - lesbian, gay or bisexual
LGBT (or GLBT) - lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered
Homophobia - a strong dislike of lesbian or gay people
Transphobia - a strong dislike of transgender people
Homophobe - a person who dislikes lesbian or gay people (a type of bigot)
Gay friendly - openly welcoming to lesbian or gay people
Coming out - telling friends or family for the first time that you are
a lesbian
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INFORMATION & ADVICE
Information for lesbian visitors to the UK is available from the Visit Britain's
website: http://www.visitbritain.co.uk/things-to-see-and-do/things-to-do-for-people-like-me/gay-britain
Ginger Beer is a website for lesbian women in London, with useful links
to other sites: http://www.gingerbeer.co.uk
UK publications for lesbians include the following:
- Diva is a monthly magazine available from newsagents or by subscription:
http://www.divamag.co.uk
- The Pink Paper is a fortnightly newspaper for gay and lesbian people:
http://www.pinkpaper.com
- g3 is a monthly magazine for lesbian and bisexual women: http://www.g3mag.co.uk
- ScotsGay Magazine is a Scottish monthly magazine aimed at gay or lesbian
people: http://www.scotsgay.co.uk
Some free publications can be downloaded from the website, or printed copies may
be available in gay/lesbian pubs or clubs.
A number of groups will offer free confidential advice to lesbians. These include:
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is a 24 hour information line for lesbians,
gays and bisexuals: http://www.llgs.org.uk
Many sexual health clinics have sessions which are for lesbians and bisexual women
only. You can use any clinic, not just the one in your local area.
Kairos in Soho is a voluntary organisation promoting the welfare of gay
and lesbian people in London: http://www.kairosinsoho.org.uk
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LESBIAN COMMUNITIES
London (in south England), Brighton (on the south coast of England),
and Manchester (in north England) all have large lesbian and gay communities.
Blackpool, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle also have significant
gay communities.
There is a directory of lesbian and gay organisations (sorted by location) produced
by the Gay Times: http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/HotSpots/GayGuide.html
Gay bars often use pink or rainbow signs so that they can be identified
easily.
The Queer Youth Network is a discussion forum for LGBT youth in the UK:
http://www.queeryouth.org.uk
Most universities have a LGBT society. You can find details on the website
of the university or of its students union.
Gaydar Girls is a lesbian personals web site: http://www.gaydargirls.com
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ENTERTAINMENT
Every summer there are Pride events in major cities across the UK. These
are organised by members of the LGBT community and often include a parade, rally
and entertainment. For photos and website links, see: Ideas/Album/Pride.
There is also an annual film festival showing lesbian/gay films which is
first shown in London and then is shown in other parts of the UK (see: http://www.llgff.org.uk).
To find out about lesbian sports groups in London or other parts of the
UK, try: http://www.outforsport.org
One website listing lesbian bars and clubs in London is http://www.girlguidelondon.co.uk
Time Out guide to lesbian and gay venues and events in London: http://www.timeout.com/london/gay
Libertas provides an online shopping service for lesbian products: http://www.libertas.co.uk
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ATTITUDES TOWARDS LESBIANS
Many lesbian people in the UK still find it difficult to admit their sexuality,
especially while at school or university. Many try to hide their sexuality from
other people, often leading to feelings of loneliness. The term coming out
refers to the stage when someone lets those around her know that she is lesbian.Over
recent years, young British people have generally become more tolerant of homosexuality
(both gay and lesbian). It is still quite rare for people in public life to admit
openly that they are lesbians, however. There are still some young people who
bully lesbians or call them names (often using terms such as "dyke"
in an unpleasant way). It is not common to see lesbian women to show their sexuality
openly in public (for example by kissing on the lips), although even straight
women sometimes hug or hold the hands/arm of another woman. The official teachings
of most religions in the UK remain hostile to lesbianism.
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LAWS
- The age of consent is the youngest age at which sex is legal. Homosexuality
was legalised in the UK in 1967, and the homosexual age of consent has been reduced
since then from 21 to 18 and now to 16 (the same age as for sex between
men and women).
- You are not allowed to have sex in public places.
- Since 2003 it is unlawful to discriminate in the workplace against someone on
the grounds of his/her sexuality or perceived sexuality.
- Lesbian weddings are not legal in the UK. However, the Civil Partnership Act
(passed in 2004) created a new legal relationship of civil partnership,
which two people of the same sex can form by signing a registration document.
Civil partners have a range of legal rights and responsibilities, although not
all of those associated with marriage. The act came into force in December 2005.
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LINKS
Pride events: Ideas/Album/Pride
Personal health: Personal/Health
Home page: Home
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© UK Student Life 2002-2009
* Search this website (www.ukstudentlife.com) or the web:
