Christmas has come and gone and, after the initial recovery phase, everyone is looking forward to the next big event. Namely Valentines Day.

Go round any department store and you will find cards and gifts specifically targeted to the love of your life. You will find gifts for him and gifts for her, virtually all in coloured in red to symbolise love.

All the marketing between December and February will be aimed at the average straight relationship. But where is the market for lesbian shopping? The rights of gay and lesbian relationships are more widely accepted now and people are proud to come out and happy to display their sexuality like a badge.

The market has now opened up for lesbian shopping sprees to be a good money earner. Books and magazines have long been available for gay people but now you can find virtually anything for a lesbian partner if you look in the right places.

Fashion and underwear is widely available as well as incidental things that can be purchased as gifts such as candles, hats, mugs, lighters and socks. All are available in rainbow colours to symbolise your sexual orientation.

If work mates are a difficult group to broach and you want to be known as a lesbian then shop for items such as mouse mats and stationery displaying the rainbow motif. Hey, why not go the whole hog and buy a rainbow flag - that should leave people in no doubt whatsoever!

Fun gifts are available for lesbian shopping at Valentine's Day, such as pole dancer handcuffs among other sex toys. DVS's, music and books are on sale with the intention of inspiring lesbians to create their own niche in the world and no longer hide away.

For that extra touch of cuteness, or for the single lesbian, how about buying pet supplies bearing the gay motif?

Moving on towards summer, thoughts always turn towards weddings.

Civil partnerships are now a legally recognised union, just as a straight marriage, but your average store will not provide for this group.

However, it is possible for lesbian shopping to now encompass commitment rings as well as all manner of jewellery displaying gay and lesbian motifs and the typical rainbow colours. Gay pride rings, equality rings and eternity rings are used for civil partnership ceremonies and bracelets, necklaces and earrings are all available as extra special gifts.

Pairs of brides, or grooms, are now available for wedding cakes and civil partnership ceremony invitations can be bought. You can even purchase decorations for the event in the gay pride colours.

Jewellery collections are available for lesbian shopping from Udi Behr, an award winning designer with a strong concept of gay rights.

When the couple live together in a civil partnership, or as co-habitees, you can buy new home cards specifically aimed at same sex couples. There is also the option of house warming gifts. Good examples would be Bi Art work. Available in striking designs and coloured simply with pink, blue and purple tones it makes a statement about the couples pride in their sexuality and also serves as tasteful decoration.

Whatever the lesbian heart desires, it is now available at specific lesbian shopping outlets.

Expert buyer Catherine Harvey looks at the plethora of lesbian shopping possiblities on the market today. To find out more please visit http://www.divadirect.co.uk/

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