Alessandra Caceres Mendoza, Contributing Writer
Pink and orange hues decorated all corners of Abner Clay Park as queer spirit radiated among the smiles of lesbian participants, while cheerleaders dressed in their unique outfits applauded those in the midst of a decisive round of tug-of-war.
Lesbians of diverse backgrounds gathered at the park Saturday for Lesbian Field Day, an outdoor community gathering organized by VCU first-year students Denisha Chisolm, Samaya Waldo and Danny Williams.
Chisolm, Waldo and Williams have hosted other events centered around strengthening community. In October studs, mascs and butches faced off in Monroe Park for their Performative Stud Competition, and just this month they hosted Sapphic Baby Oil Wrestling at Babes of Carytown.
This butch vs. femme-themed event featured competitive activities like tug-of-war, potato-sack racing and a water-balloon fight.
These two prominent lesbian identities teamed up and clashed in friendly competition throughout the day in pursuit of prizes, notably carabiners — a simple object that has become a recognized symbol within the community.
Participation in the activities required attendees to be 18 or older. Although catered towards lesbians, the event was open for all to enjoy.
Abner Clay Park is within walking distance of the Gladding Residence Center, the dorm building where many of VCU’s first-year students reside.
“As someone who’s not 21 yet, it’s frustrating finding events that are gay and especially lesbian-related,” first-year student Genesis Jackson said.
Chisholm sought to provide a safe space to celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week, observed from April 20-26, in addition to bringing about VCU students to finish the semester off on a good note.
“It’s showing queer visibility,” Chisolm said. “Lesbians are here at VCU. Lesbians are here in Richmond.”
Proceeds raised from the sign-ups were donated to the Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project.
Chisholm said they chose the organization as they are inclusive towards women, trans and gender non-conforming people. She said reproductive care can also be gender-affirming care.
In 2024, 12% of women in the state reported not seeing a doctor for reproductive healthcare visits 12 months prior due to costs, according to an analysis done by KFF, an independent healthcare policy research organization.
“It was very important for me and my friend to find an organization that supports that value of providing not only gender-affirming care, but life-saving care that benefits people’s mental health,” Chisolm said.
Lesbian Visibility Week is much more than a week-long event to Chisolm. It is where they can be acknowledged by the queer community and address the erasure ensuing within the current political climate.
“This is our time to be recognized for our accomplishments, contributions and innovations,” Chisholm said.
A femme competition to decide who was the best femme was held between the games. Participants lined up and were asked pageantry questions related to the event.
When asked “what does being femme mean to you?” many participants had answers pertaining to pride in non-conformity as well as support towards other lesbians.
The term femme is defined as an identity that actively rejects cis-heteronormative standards of what femininity means, according to an NYU Press essay.
The identity has strong ties to butches, who are lesbians who express themselves in a masculine manner.
“The most masculine of our community deserve the most protection right now, especially under the current administration,” said contestant and first-year student Elaina Shepard.
VCU students Sasha Blue Taylor Butler and Tazmania Taylor were the winners of the femme competition.
They both feel that events like this strengthen the already impenetrable queer community at VCU.
“Even though we go to VCU, and VCU’s a very queer place, some people are still too scared to be themselves,” Butler said.
After the water balloon fight and arm wrestling ensued, it was time to wrap up the field day with a childhood wonder: a rainbow parachute.
The organizers saw it as an important activity for attendees to tap into their “inner child and queerness.”