Meet our team
Maz Gordon
Founder
Maz Gordon is a seasoned LGBTQ+ activist and entrepreneur. After launching a successful LGBTQ+ women’s speed dating & events business, she moved into media, working on influential, award-winning queer publications & events in the UK, US and Australia, including as g3 mag, Pink Sofa, Squarepeg Media’s Alternative Parenting show and more.
When Maz was in Australia, she worked in rural and urban communities, not just helping women date but helping to create communities.
Maz moved back to her home town of Oban from Brighton and realised that LGBTQ+ women in Scotland, particularly in rural areas didn't have a way of meeting to form community. She also found that so many women hadn't yet experienced the beauty of the Oban, as the normal lesbian tourist destinations are cities like Brighton, so she decided to change that.
Now she's the driving force behind Oban Lesbian+ Weekend, transforming the Scottish town into a unlikely new queer mecca while also running the global LGBTQ+ magazine, OutNewsGlobal.
Women from all over the world now come to Oban Lesbian+ Weekend. We've even got locals and Americans and Aussies coming back for the 4th or 5th time!
Deborah Anne Menalaus
Photographer, Mental Health First Aider & Artist
Deb originally bought an Oban Lesbian+ Weekend ticket 3 years ago, then applied to join the photography team at Oban Lesbian+ Weekend. Being a woman of many talents, last year Deb asked to host a Shamanic Drumming Workshop at the festival.
She is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider and has studied counselling and psychotherapy at Masters level. This year at Oban Lesbian+ Weekend, we are renaming the Chill Out area, Welfare & Chill Out area, where Deb & others will provide Tea and Empathy, and do everything possible to ensure you all have an amazing festival experience.
Deb has just published her first book, called Greenwind of Change, which can be found on Amazon HERE
Deb’s artwork is popular at our Oban Lesbian+ Weekend marketplace & yes, she never stops! Most workshop facilitators or performers come to do one job but Deb has to be asked to take a break.
She’ll be at Oban Lesbian+ Weekend for the full week. If you haven’t bought your ticket yet, make sure you book your accommodation & ticket asap. Deb’s first year, she booked for 3 nights, then decided to stay longer, so I had to move accommodation twice as everywhere was full!
Sam Smith
Van Life Workshop Facilitator & volunteer
3 years ago Sam was one of those people who bought a ticket and then due to unexpected life challenges nearly didn’t make it to Oban Lesbian+ Weekend. She decided to come and enjoy it, even if she did have to miss quite a few events. Sam went solo the first year and had such a great time, she decided to join the team!
Since then Sam has been a dedicated volunteer and was a finalist for the 2026 Proud Scotland Volunteer of the Year Award. She promotes OLW+ at all the many lesbian events she attends. She’s been amazing at each festival and helping out at mini events like our speed dating, camping or drinks events.
Sam is a full time carer for her 20 year old son, Kyle who has severe disabilities and is the love and light in her life. She is in the process of moving into her campervan full time, after having spent some time converting her second van, and so volunteered to co-host the Van Life workshop for 2026.
You can catch Sam out on the LGBTQ+ scene in Glasgow or zipping round the country to volunteer at other lesbian events or festivals. She’s always smiling and helping others, so if you’re a little nervous about attending OLW+ on your own, don’t worry Sam and the team will be there to help you with introductions!
Leanne Chambers
Manager
We are delighted to introduce Leanne Chambers, our talented Manager for Oban Lesbian+ Weekend!
A dedicated New Zealander now residing in Bristol with her partner Jo and daughter Emily, she brings a wealth of experience to the role.
As the Green Traffic Crew Manager at the iconic Glastonbury Festival and the Music Director of the vibrant Sisters of Swing, her expertise is unparalleled. Her background as a retired Army Officer further highlights her ability to be a systemic but personable leader.
Leanne is a seasoned festival worker, with volunteering experience at both Lfest and Unity Fest, she is excited to join Maz and the team in creating a weekend to remember. Her enthusiasm and commitment are sure to make this event unforgettable. Join us in welcoming her onboard for this incredible event!
Lauren Mueller
Crew Manager
Originally born in Naarm (aka. Melbourne), so-called Australia. Lauren came to Scotland one year ago to get involved in grass-roots herbal projects and ended up falling in love with her now girlfriend from Lismore.
Lismore is a tiny island, just off Oban, so Lauren is proof that you can find lesbian love in remote places around Oban, although we've now lost count of the number of short and long term couples who have met at Oban Lesbian+ Weekend.
Lauren has been involved previously in a queer community garden space and queer-run herbal collective in Melbourne. She’s an avid lover of pickles and ferments, herbalism, cycling and the outdoors.
She now lives in Glasgow where she is actively engaged in various queer and sapphic spaces, and loves spreading the OLW word.
Lauren’s work history, organising and facilitating workshops as well as being part of various grass-roots campaigns where she coordinated volunteers has given her the skills to be this year’s Crew Manager.
She quickly picked up paddle boarding at our Camping event and is very excited to be part of Oban Lesbian Weekend 2026
Gill Williamson
Head of photography
Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Gill Williamson has had a keen interest in photography since she was at college.
She is now an award winning photographer and we are delighted that Gill is back for a 4th Oban Lesbian Weekend.
Last year Gill ran a very popular photography workshop, where she showed guests how to use an SLR camera or take the best photos with their phone. Then they went for a scenic practical session by the sea.
She now spends much of her time travelling round Scotland in her beloved camper van, shooting beautiful images of the stunning countryside. Gill has won Urban Photograph of the year in the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the year competition, as well as wins and commendations in the Scottish Nature Photographer of the year competition.
Check out Gill’s website HERE.
Join our team
If you are interested in joining our team, have a business, are a performer or have a skill you think we'd be interested in, please email obanlesbianweekend@gmail.com.
You can also go to our volunteer page to apply. Our team get the opportunity to make amazing friendships and experience another side of Oban Lesbian Weekend. All crew get their acccommodation and ticket in exchange for their work. We couldn't do it without them!