Diva (magazine)

DIVA is a European magazine targeted towards lesbian and bisexual women. The magazine contains features on lifestyle issues affecting young lesbian and bisexual women and allies as well as political developments in the lesbian scene. It also contains articles on travel, music and the latest cinema releases in the sector.[1] The current publisher is Linda Riley.

Diva
Cover of Diva magazine (April 2013)
EditorRoxy Bourdillon
CategoriesLesbianism and bisexuality
FrequencyMonthly
PublisherLinda Riley
Founded1994
First issueApril 1994
CountryUnited Kingdom
Based inLondon
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.divamag.co.uk

History

The monthly magazine was first launched in March 1994 by Millivres Ltd, under the editorship of Frances Williams.[2]

Linda Riley became publisher of the magazine in 2016.[3]

In September 2021 DIVA announced a new editor, Roxy Bourdillon, who has been with the magazine since 2015. Bourdillon has recruited a dynamic and diverse team to help DIVA truly represent the community it reflects.[4] DIVA features articles by and for lesbians and bisexual women on a range of subjects, from celebrity interviews and in-depth news features, travel pieces and arts reviews. Celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Keira Knightley, Samira Wiley and Sarah Paulson have appeared on the cover.

In November 2008, DIVA commemorated its 150th issue with "The Souvenir Issue" which included the cover pages of every issue that had been published in the magazine's history.[5]

As well as a monthly print magazine (also available to subscribe in digital format) the DIVA brand now includes PodDIVA, DIVA Community on Facebook, DIVA Community on Clubhouse, the DIVA Awards and the Visible Lesbian 100 published in The Guardian. DIVA has also previously sponsored the Pride in London Women's Stage in Leicester Square.[6]

In 2020, DIVA launched the first ever DIVA Pride, an online event in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The magazine suspended publishing for several months during lockdown, returning to print in November 2020.[7] DIVA is no longer stocked in shops and currently only available via mail order or subscription.

The DIVA Awards

The annual DIVA Awards acknowledge and recognise individuals, charities and brands that support LGBTQI women.[8] The awards celebrate the achievements of LGBTQI women and non-binary people – and their allies – across business, the media, politics and sport.[9] Previous winners include Lauren Jauregui, Sandi Toksvig and Michelle Hardwick, as well as brands such as Disney and Netflix.[8]

Categories
  • Actor of the Year[10]
  • Inspirational Role Model of the Year
  • Brand of the Year
  • Broadcast Company of the Year
  • Corporate Ally of the Year
  • Diversity Champion of the Year
  • Media Personality of the Year
  • LGBTQI Network of the Year
  • Musician of the Year
  • Media Moment of the Year
  • Unsung Hero of the Year
  • Celebrity Ally of the Year
  • Young Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Community or Charity Project

Lesbian Visibility Week
Main article: Lesbian Visibility Week

In 2020 DIVA introduced the inaugural Lesbian Visibility Week to celebrate and support lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer women across the UK and beyond to be their true selves, at home and socially.[11] Research showed that lesbians are almost twice as unlikely to be out in the workplace as gay male colleagues [12] and found that LGBTQI women feel that they are misunderstood and under supported.[13]

Rainbow Honours

Rainbow Honours were launched to "shine a light on those unsung heroes and sheroes: those who strive to make the workplace a better place for LGBTQ employees and those who give up their spare time to volunteer" [14] The first ceremony took place at Madame Tussauds, and was hosted by drag queen Courtney Act and Duncan James.[15] Winners at the ceremony included: presenter Sue Perkins; Mayor of London Sadiq Khan; and activist Sue Sanders, who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement.[16]

DIVA Box Office

On 26 April 2019 DIVA magazine together with Lesbian Box Office launched Europe's first lesbian TV channel.[17][18][19][20]

Shows on the channel include:

  • Different for Girls [24]

See also

References
  1. "Diva Magazine Subscription". Newsstand.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017.
  2. Georgina Turner (September 2008). "The road to the lesbian nation is not an easy one: us and them in Diva magazine". Social Semiotics. 18 (3): 377–388. doi:10.1080/10350330802217147. S2CID 143502081.
  3. "New owners for lesbian focused 'Diva' magazine". OUTInPerth - LGBTIQ News and Culture. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  4. "WHO ARE WE? Meet the team…". DIVA. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  5. "15 Women's Magazines That Don't Suck, Are Awesome". Autostraddle. 11 April 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  6. "Pride in London Women's Area". PrideinLondon. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  7. Lyell, Carrie (20 October 2020). "We've missed you…". DIVA. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  8. "DIVA Awards 2020: Star-studded shortlist revealed". DIVA. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  9. "DIVA Awards Archives". Evening Express. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  10. EDITOR (17 March 2022). "Voting for the DIVA Awards is now open!". diva-magazine.com. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  11. Riley, Linda (17 January 2020). "Lesbian Visibility Week: Raising awareness, understanding and support for LGBTQAI+ people". DIVA. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  12. "Lesbian Visibility Week". Lesbian Visibility Week. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  13. Bussmann, Gus (20 February 2020). "Lesbian Visibility Week". RICS. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  14. "Home Page". Rainbow Honours. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  15. "Best of LGBQTI Britain celebrated at Rainbow Honours". Rainbow Honours. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  16. "Sue Sanders Wins The First Rainbow Honors Lifetime Achievement Award 2019". Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans + History Month. 8 December 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  17. "Introducing DIVA Box Office: Europe's first lesbian digital TV channel 🍿✨". DIVA. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  18. "DIVA Box Office". DIVA Box Office. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  19. "DIVA Box Office". Vimeo. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  20. "Why We've Launched Europe's First Lesbian Digital TV Channel". HuffPost (Huffington Post UK Edition). 26 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  21. "Heather Peace at the Bedford". DIVA Box Office. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  22. "Diva Box Office Exclusive… with Suranne Jones". DIVA Box Office. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  23. "Power Lesbians". DIVA Box Office. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  24. "Different for Girls". DIVA Box Office. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
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