The dyke scene is relatively small in the UK. Statistics would suggest that there are approximately 3 million gay women living in the UK. Some of us are out most still closeted at one level or another. Some women remain in the closet because they fear the fierce homophobic reactions of the non gay community. So this "tiny threat" is increasingly on the receiving end of sexual violence, verbal and physical abuse, discrimination and a constant source of derisory jokes. Our self value, visibility, friendships, families and economic stability is being picked apart by the irrational hate that we all tolerate, accommodate and make excuses for.
In essence by not coming out we endorse homophobia. By remaining invisable, not participating in the gay scene and not embracing diversity we support the efforts to erase our existence from life. No amount of legislation will change peoples hatred and no matter how many businesses accept the Pink pound this should not be conceived as acceptance of ones sexuality.
We are tolerated in some quarters of the world however the tolerance is tentative and subject to conditions, one of which is to not "rub ones sexuality in ones face". So don't hold hands, don't kiss in public, do not show any signs of affection, love, care, tenderness or else you will be challenged, dismissed, ejected and denounced. Are we really upsetting to the straight eye?
In Jamaica it is now illegal to be gay. In Nigeria laws are being ushered in to make it illegal for gay people to live together, in South Africa (the only African country that has a human rights constitution that includes gays and lesbians) Lesbians are subjected to corrective rape. In some states of America the Buggery Laws still applies.
Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues and many other places of worship preach the destruction of the world if Gays and Lesbians are allowed to exist. Some African countries see being gay as a "white" disease and some Far East countries see being gay as a Western disease. I am not white, my ancestry is not western and more importantly I am not a disease. I am a loving daughter, partner, friend, a colleague, a co-parent, a sister, an aunt, a neighbour, a survivor, a mentor, a believer in humanity an inspiration to those who took my lead and came out and out I shall remain.