About us

Vision – Our vision is a world where lesbian and bisexual women feel empowered to drive change and obtain full equality and acceptance in societies where discrimination against lesbian and bisexual women still prevails.

Mission – Our organisation is dedicated to championing visibility and empowerment of the LGBTI community, and especially lesbian and bisexual women. We will use the power of community and innovation to promote visibility, empowerment and sisterhood for lesbian and bisexual women.

Authenticity – We believe that everyone should be free to be true to themselves and have the right to assert their own sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sisterhood – We believe that amongst women, we have to stand in solidarity with and empower each other, regardless of our sexual and/or gender identity.

Courage – No change has ever been achieved without the actions of a courageous few. As a minority who are often being discriminated against, or in many cases being penalised for not being heterosexual, it takes tremendous courage to assert your sexual orientation and gender identity, and take a stand on behalf of the LGBTI Community.

Inclusivity – Social attitudes and beliefs can only be changed by involving and educating all representations/communities. Equality and acceptance of lesbian and bisexual women cannot be achieved by only preaching to the choir.

ELLA Global Community was created as a not-for profit association from Hansen & Partner, organisers of the ELLA International Lesbian Festival.

The idea behind the ELLA International Lesbian Festival was born from the realisation that there were no existing tourism and leisure providers that specialised in lesbian and bisexual markets. From the beginning, Hansen & Partner has dedicated its efforts to being a social enterprise by giving visibility and support to lesbian and bisexual women who have their own requirements and needs that are not yet well recognised. The company has always been committed to promoting a better life for lesbian and bisexual women and contribute to their empowerment.

After fourteen years of providing LGBT consultancy and event services for the leisure and tourism sector and organising six ELLA International Lesbian Festivals to date, the ELLA Global Community was founded in August 2018 by Kristin Hansen, CEO & Founder of Hansen & Partner, to promote awareness-raising and community efforts for lesbian and bisexual women.

The ELLA Global Community is committed to promoting the lesbian cause, as well as for all women that fall outside the socially accepted definition of gender identity and sexual orientation – including bisexual women.