The Aqua Foundation for Women is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to serving and supporting LGBTQ+ women. Founded in 2004, it is the only 501c3 non-profit in Florida created by and for LGBTQ+ women. One of the 10 pillars of the LGBTQ+ community is lesbian and queer women, and the Aqua Foundation is committed to being their voice.
In celebration of Lesbian Visibility Week, the White House recently welcomed the cast of Showtime's “The L Word” and “Generation Q”, which chronicles the love, friendship, challenges, and triumphs of strong and resilient queer women. The event was attended by press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who is the first openly queer person to hold this position for the President of the United States.
During the event, Jean-Pierre highlighted the importance of visibility and representation for queer individuals, especially young people. The creator of “The L Word”, Eileen Chaikin, also spoke about the continued struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, including online harassment, legislative acts of violence, and physical violence. However, Chaikin praised President Biden for strengthening non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law.
Lisa Haley, who plays the bisexual character Alice on “The L Word”, had a message for queer people who may be listening, stating, “We see you. We hear you.” Haley emphasized the importance of being heard and acknowledged, as it is more important than being loved.
The presence of “The L Word” at the White House is a significant moment for the LGBTQ+ community. This representation and visibility demonstrate the progress made in queer media and culture. Furthermore, it provides a platform for queer voices to be heard and acknowledged. This moment shows how far the community has come and highlights the importance of continued advocacy and representation for all LGBTQ+ individuals.
