Visibility against the odds
AHEAD OF THEIR RUBY ANNIVERSARY, SYLVIA AND MAGGIE REFLECT ON A RELATIONSHIP FULL OF ADVENTURE
WORDS SOPHIE PERRY
They say that love conquers all – a sentiment that certainly rings true for Sylvia Daly and Maggie Redding, an inspiring couple of nearly 40 years. Theirs is a story of sheer determination, optimism and love, demonstrating that, against all odds, LGBTQI+ people have long made themselves visible, simply by living long and fulfilling lives that are, above all else, happy.
Hertfordshire native Maggie, 80, and 77-year-old east Londoner Sylvia met at a group for Catholic lesbian women in the 1980s. They have faced numerous obstacles leading up to their ruby anniversary, including family rejection and homophobic bullying, but time and time again have leapt hurdles together to have a fulfilling relationship and a wonderful life that they say has been “full of adventures”.