We often hear from readers who tell us they’re sick of having to “prove” their lesbian or bi sexuality to friends, colleagues and even other lesbians who tell them they don’t “look lesbian”, whatever that means. So we asked two very different feminine lesbians what it’s like to have people presume you’re straight (p46) and learned some surprising facts. As women, whatever our sexual identity or gender presentation, we are always under scrutiny in a way that most men simply aren’t. More recently, some radical feminists have questioned trans women’s right to claim the term woman, so we asked bi trans writer Freiya Benson to survey diverse cis and trans lesbian and bi women about what being a woman means to them, with fascinating results (p58). Our cover star (and lesbian IRL) Taylor Schilling’s character Piper goes gangsta in series four of Orange Is The New Black. At least, that’s what the good people of Litchfield are telling each other. In our interview (p70), Taylor revealed more about the new season and told us how important it is for her to be committed to fighting for LGBT rights. And as Pride season comes into its own this month, so too do music festivals, which, as DIVA discovers, are still falling short on female acts (p52). Finally, if you’ve not yet subscribed to DIVA, go visit divasub.co.uk/DV241. You can now get our 12-month subscription for only £24.99. Bargain!
Jane Czyzselska