The Journey to Founding Lesbian History Day.

We spoke to Marie-Helene Tyack about what inspired her to found Lesbian History Day and why preserving lesbian history is so important.

WCS: Can you tell us the story of how Lesbian History Day came to be? What inspired you or made you realise that this event was needed?

Marie-Helene Tyack: My lovely friend Kevin took me on a trip to the London Lighthouse (now the London Brand Museum). The London Lighthouse was the first palliative care centre for those dying of AIDS/HIV. Kevin told me stories of people he had loved and lost there - then reminded me that it was lesbians who looked after the patients, gave blood and marched for the rights of those with AIDS and HIV.

This sat with me and resonated very deeply. Most importantly I thought, what are we doing to make sure that people remember these and all the other lesbians who have shaped history? I didn’t feel that enough had been done to remember them, our stories are often erased or minimised and something had to be done about it!

WCS: What narratives about lesbians have been erased, sanitized or misunderstood that you most want to reclaim?

Marie-Helene Tyack: As I started doing more research on this topic I got more angry at how thoroughly our identity has been erased in history books. How many stories of women living with “a good friend” have you read, and it turns out that it was two women who had made a deep commitment to love each other? I felt that this was a sign of disrespect to the relationships, love and identity of these lesbians.

Lesbians are so often erased in media too. I’m thinking in particular of ‘It’s a Sin’. While overall the show is a wonderful representation of a particularly dark chapter in our history, there were absolutely no lesbians featured in the story (which we know is not the case). Personally I love the French film ‘120 Battements par Minute’, telling the story of ACT UP activists in Paris in the early 90s where lesbians are very present!

WCS: How are you considering intersectionality when shaping Lesbian History Day?

Marie-Helene Tyack: Intersectionality is absolutely key in how we look at history. The lives of so many fabulous lesbians of the past were shaped by overlapping factors such as race, class, disability, gender identity, culture, and age.

For example, Stormé DeLarverie was a butch lesbian of colour whose scuffle with the police sparked the Stonewall uprising, but they are often forgotten over figures like Marsha P Johnson. There is also Gladys Bentley, an icon of Black female masculinity.

When we speak about historical lesbians, we must recognise the different forms of marginalisation that they faced and how this shaped how they turned up and ultimately the role that they played in our history. I believe we also need to remember to link today’s challenges to those of the past. We know the rights of our community are being slowly eroded - so what can we learn from the struggles and leaders of the past?

WCS: How has access to lesbian history (or lack thereof) impacted your perspective on your own identity?

Marie-Helene Tyack: I turned 50 on International Women’s Day - a great day for a lesbian to be born! And perhaps this important milestone is making me think about my own personal legacy - my journey, the role models who have shaped me, etc. One of the key motivators for LHD was to set up something for today and tomorrow’s generation of lesbians. I am (and am ashamed to admit it) perhaps a little jealous of today’s generation and the ease that they have to wear their hair pink and not have to label themselves. I want to make sure that they know what my generation (and those before us) went through to allow them to do that; I am a product of the UK’s Section 28 legislation, which left a whole generation traumatised with internalised homophobia. Collectively we have fought so hard for our rights and this should not be forgotten. It should be intentionally celebrated!

For me, Lesbian History Day is about acknowledging the courage and resilience of those who paved the way for future generations. It's a day to celebrate our community's strength and diversity, and to inspire continued progress and acceptance.

WCS: Is there a figure or story from lesbian history that particularly resonates with you?

Marie-Helene Tyack: I have discovered the story of Jane Addams (her birthday is on 6th September - Lesbian History Day!) and wow, what an incredible woman! Born in 1860, she was an American suffragette, social reformer, activist and the first US woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She set up a community-led settlement house in Chicago, where men and women set up a school, theatre, nursery and so much more. She did so much work to end child labour and reform the law to protect women working in factories. She also revolutionised trash collection in Chicago, challenged women to change the way they thought about their own careers and did much for immigrants in Chicago.

She also happened to be a lesbian. She was with her partner, Mary Rozet Smith who was a teacher in her school for over 40 years. We are lucky to have correspondence between the two of them. In 1902 she wrote, “You must know, dear, how I long for you all the time—and especially during the last three weeks. There is reason in the habit of married folk keeping together. Forever yrs.” No denying that they were more than “gal pals”!

WCS: If a young lesbian comes across this day 20 years from now, what do you hope they feel?

Marie-Helene Tyack: Pride mostly! Pride that the lesbian community has such a rich and diverse history, pride to be part of it and wanting to share this day with everyone else! I would hope that they would be curious and want to find out more about individuals that have shaped our history.

WCS: How can people get involved with Lesbian History Day?

Marie-Helene Tyack: Check out lesbianhistoryday.com for updates on events as we get closer to Lesbian History Day. You can also follow us on Instagram for event updates and content on historical lesbians that you might not know about!

Marie-Helene Tyack (she/her) is Global Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging Business Partner at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, where she leads DEI initiatives globally. In addition to this, Marie-Helene has been involved in the Pride Employee Resource Group in the Allianz Group since 2018 – and has been the Chair since January 2022. In this role she sets the strategy for LGBTQ+ inclusion for the Allianz Group worldwide. She is also the founder of Lesbian History Day.

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