WORK

Many lesbians feel politically invisible, and poorly served by the LGBTQ+ activist organisations claiming to speak in their name. There is little mainstream consideration of how lesbian interests might specifically differ from other members of the LGBTQ+ coalition. Because lesbians frequently tend to be subsumed into larger sexual minority groups, a significant gap now exists in knowledge and understanding of the lives of same-sex-attracted women in the UK. There is an urgent need for an organisation solely dedicated to representing the rights and interests of lesbians in the UK. To see how we plan to address this within our work, scroll to the bottom of the page for our strategic plan.

1 Building a knowledge base about lesbian lives

We aim to be an independent and credible source of information about lesbian lives in the UK (present and past). We are committed to combatting false narratives about lesbians, and to disseminating methodologically sound research, firmly rooted in empirical evidence and not ideology.

2 Lobbying for sensible and evidence-based policy

We will talk to government, the judiciary, educationalists, health specialists, LGBTQ+ NGOs, and other interested parties about lesbian needs and interests, in an evidence-based way. We aim to get a seat at the table, as a professional body to be consulted, whenever lesbian interests are being discussed.

Alongside sister organisations, we are committed to helping rebuild lesbian communities, especially for young lesbians, working-class lesbians, and for lesbians within religious and ethnic minorities. Where possible, we will connect and swap expertise with other national and international organisations dedicated to promoting the interests of same-sex-attracted females. In this way, we will contribute to building a community that transcends borders.

3 Help build lesbian communities

Our approach

Building a knowledge base

  • We will identify the areas where lesbian experience is under-evidenced, or diverges from that of gay men, bisexuals, and heterosexuals

  • We will develop guidelines on adequate research design for academic studies about lesbian lives

  • We will conduct and commission qualitative and quantitative research (literature reviews, surveys, polls, focus groups, etc) with lesbians across a range of social demographics, to find out more about lesbian life

Policy development

  • We will be a resource for policymakers and the media, providing evidence in order to improve understanding of lesbian lives, needs, and interests

  • We will work to influence academic research sectors to ensure lesbians are identified appropriately as research subjects

Community building

  • We will support lesbians wishing to set up their own associations, organisations, and social groups

  • We will help connect national and international lesbian groups in order to restore community

  • We will organise and facilitate meetings with representatives of lesbian organisations across the world to build connections and share information about matters of mutual concern

3-year strategic plan

Below you can find our strategic plan for The Lesbian Project over the next three years. It communicates our values, the direction we are headed, the choices we have made, and the rationale behind them.