The significance of the letter “L” precedence in the LGBTQ+

The letter L comes first in LGBTQ+ as a tribute to the lesbian community’s critical role during the AIDS epidemic. In the time period between the 1980s and the 1990s, lesbians provided essential support to gay men affected by the crisis, offering care, advocacy, and solidarity when it was desperately needed. By placing L at the front, we honor their selfless contributions and acknowledge their leadership during one of the community’s darkest times, expressing gratitude and ensuring that the sacrifices and strength of lesbians are always remembered.

With this in mind, I wanted to dedicate this blog to the great achievements of the LGBTQ+ community and embracing the spirit of World Pride Month 2024 in all its vibrant colors.

World Pride Month 2024: The Author & The Cause

For World Pride Month 2024, I would like to dedicate a special thank you note to Cheers Queers, an online safe space for Russian-speaking lesbians (and all individuals who identify with a lesbian identity). Upon joining the space in October 2023, I was met with such warmth and open-mindedness during one of my lowest points in life. I felt like I was part of the group. I felt accepted and was able to finally discover the Slavic queer identity that I never got to learn much about since emigrating from my home country Russia at the young age of 12 years old. 

Now, at 26, I enjoy being multilingual and feeling a sense of belonging to several cultures I have lived in—Russian, Swiss, French, and English. By writing this blog post, I would like to give back to the community that introduced me to so many great people by sharing their profound work with the world! 

Cheers Queers was founded in January 2023 by Tatiana Kalinina (lesbian, fem/queer activist, co-founder of the regional fem-project No Flowers, narrative practitioner, and facilitator) and currently holds space for over 400 Russian-speaking lesbian-identifying women* worldwide. It is a space where we discuss our human joys and sorrows, support each other, share useful information, joke, talk about our experiences, and reflect on our own queer identity. At Cheers Queers, we value open dialogue, respectful curiosity, nonviolence, courage, solidarity and feminism/human rights.  We host monthly online lesbo-conferences with speakers, occasional offline meetups, literature and cinema clubs, English speaking clubs and lots more.

Discovering Partners For Love

I have found them through the power of online friendships, and they have become an integral part of my volunteering work and have recently grown into my professional field. It is via Cheers Queer’s member that I found out about Drinkable Gifts and having loved both projects, I wished to use my writing gift (pun intended) to encapsulate the great work that is being done by both initiatives.

Having friends and family scattered across the globe gives me countless opportunities to visit new places and always have people I know around me. I could fly to the USA, Canada, across the EU or even Japan or Singapore and be lucky enough to stay at my friends’ houses. On the other hand, being away from my family takes a toll on me eventually, so knowing that with Drinkable Gifts or Gift Baskets Overseas, I can send them a token of my love means a lot to me. This World Pride Month 2024 – stay closer with friends and family with the help of these two gifting giants. 

A celebration of the LGBTQ+ Community: Noting achievements in Science, Art, and Beyond

Pride is about embracing love and celebrating the diverse contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Within this vibrant tapestry, people have had to fight especially hard for recognition. This struggle is even more pronounced in certain countries, yet the resilience and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community continue to shine brightly across various fields. Today, we honor the incredible contributions of queers in science, art, and beyond, celebrating their groundbreaking achievements and the barriers they’ve shattered for future generations.

LGBTQ+ Achievements in Science

Dr. Sally Ride (1951-2012)

Dr. Sally Ride was the first American woman in space, and her groundbreaking achievements have left an indelible mark on the field of space exploration. As a physicist and astronaut, Ride flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983. Her contributions to NASA and her efforts to inspire young women to pursue careers in STEM are profound. After her passing, it was revealed that she was in a long-term relationship with her partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy, highlighting the importance of acknowledging LGBTQ+ pioneers in all fields.

Dr. Lynn Conway (1938-Present)

Dr. Lynn Conway is a renowned American computer scientist and electrical engineer. She made significant contributions to the development of VLSI (Very-Large-Scale Integration) technology, which is essential in modern computer processors. Conway’s work revolutionized the semiconductor industry and is also known for her activism in transgender rights. Her courage in both her professional and personal life serves as an inspiration to many.

Dr. Sophie Wilson (1957-Present) 

Dr. Sophie Wilson is a British computer scientist who played a key role in designing the BBC Microcomputer and the ARM architecture, which is now used in most mobile devices. Her contributions to technology have been transformative, making her one of the most influential figures in computer science. Wilson’s work continues to impact millions of people worldwide.

Dr. Ben Barres (1954-2017)

Dr. Ben Barres was a pioneering neurobiologist and the first openly transgender scientist in the National Academy of Sciences. His work on glial cells transformed the understanding of the brain and neurological diseases. Barres was also a vocal advocate for gender equality in science, using his platform to address biases and support young scientists.

World Pride Month 2024 Gift Recommendations For Science Lovers

If you want to keep in touch with your friends in the lab (while they see what’s on the slap) – gift baskets are a great way to go. Alcohol gifts are convenient. The sealed bottles make them safe, even for office delivery. (Don’t drink and work friends!) But alcohol comes in a variety of flavors and cocktail gift sets. Making quality spirits the go-to-gift for science loves, friends, and family. 

LGBTQ+ Achievements in Art

Sappho (circa 630-570 BCE)

Sappho, the ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos, is one of the earliest and most significant figures in LGBTQ+ history. Known for her lyrical poetry that explores love and passion, often directed towards other women, Sappho’s work has profoundly influenced literature and the understanding of same-sex relationships. Her legacy endures as a symbol of lesbian love and artistic expression.

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

Emily Dickinson is celebrated as one of America’s greatest poets. Known for her reclusive lifestyle and prolific writing, Dickinson’s poetry delves into themes of identity, nature, and mortality with profound depth and innovation. Although much of her personal life remains shrouded in mystery, her letters and poems suggest deep, affectionate relationships with women, adding a significant dimension to her legacy in LGBTQ+ history.

Yulia Tsvetkova (1993-Present) 

Yulia Tsvetkova is a Russian artist and activist known for her feminist and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She gained international attention for her “vagina monologues” artwork and body-positive drawings, which led to her being charged with distributing pornography under Russia’s restrictive laws. Tsvetkova’s work and her fight against censorship have made her a significant figure in the Russian LGBTQ+ movement.

David Wojnarowicz (1954-1992)

David Wojnarowicz was an influential artist and activist known for his powerful visual art and writing that addressed issues of sexuality, AIDS, and government neglect. His raw and emotional works remain a critical part of the conversation on LGBTQ+ rights and artistic expression.

World Pride Month 2024 Gift Recommendations For Artists

Keeping the inspired artist happy and productive is an art all on its own. The key to it – a loving support system that knows when to leave the artist at work. For those moments when your friends are deep in their creative process, try sending them a charming wine gift set. Best set with snacks, or even better, make a customer wine gift set just for them! 

LGBTQ+ Achievements in Activism

Edie Windsor (1929-2017) 

Edie Windsor was an American trailblazing LGBTQ+ rights activist. Her landmark Supreme Court case, United States v. Windsor, resulted in the overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 2013, which was a pivotal moment for marriage equality in the United States. Windsor’s courage and determination helped pave the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage nationwide. 

Olena Shevchenko (1980-Present) 

Olena Shevchenko is a well-known LGBTQ+ activist in Ukraine. She is the head of Insight, an LGBTQ+ and feminist organisation that advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Ukraine. Shevchenko has been a vocal opponent of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people and has organised various Pride events and human rights campaigns.

Harvey Milk (1930-1978)

Harvey Milk – the first openly gay elected official in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. His groundbreaking work in politics and activism for LGBTQ+ rights made him an icon of the movement. Milk’s legacy continues to inspire LGBTQ+ individuals to pursue leadership roles and fight for equality.

Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)

Bayard Rustin was a civil rights activist and a key advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He played a crucial role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington. Despite being openly gay in a time of significant discrimination, Rustin’s contributions to civil rights and social justice were monumental.

World Pride Month 2024 Gift Recommendations For Activists

Pride activists are some of the busiest worldwide! Keep them active with alcohol-free gift sets filled with their favorite goodies. Or help them unwind at home with a victory bottle of champagne. After all, nothing deserves a reward more than fighting for human equality and love! 

Celebrating World Pride Month 2024 with Thoughtful Gifts

At the end of the day, the most thoughtful gifts come from the heart. Celebrating the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community with a carefully selected gift from Drinkable Gifts is a meaningful way to show your appreciation. Whether you’re recognizing a pioneering scientist, an influential artist, a courageous activist, or simply a human being, the gift baskets offered are a way to honor these incredible people and their enduring legacies.

Gift-giving is an art; the people behind Drinkable Gifts strive to make the process easier. So, let’s celebrate the remarkable achievements of the queer community with the beautifully curated gift baskets inspired by the great names. Each basket is a testament to the love, respect, and admiration held for those who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations. Happy World Pride Month 2024 and beyond!

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