By Sophie Glickman
Lesbians have always been lavender. But we’ve never been a scare or a menace.
Like lavender, we want to grow, to thrive, to be seen. You can hold us and bring us close. Enjoy our sweetness and take in our beauty. And we stay year after year, no matter who or what tries to cut us down. Despite all your attempts to prune us, we still flourish.
And together, in all our hues and sizes, we stand strong and united; a constant, beautiful and healing part of the world.
But lesbians are not plants; we are human. We deserve respect, empowerment and dignity. And when these things are ripped from our roots, when we’re forced to hide in the shade or planted in harsh terrain, we will not wither like lavender. We will bloom in defiance, our sweetest that you once enjoyed, becoming bitter.
We will become the menace you created.
Sophie (she/her) is a London-based creative who explores queerness, history, and everyday wonder through her lino prints and writing. Her work reflects a love of storytelling in all forms—etched, written, and felt. When she’s not creating, you’ll find her wandering museums or laughing with friends over something silly and brilliant.