Meet Annie - an operations & logistics professional with a background in voice-over work in the Nigerian film industry. In this episode, she shares her story, talks about what 'home' means to her, and also what it was like to find strength in her voice and grow in confidence.  Jess and her also talk about her family, her Nigerian roots, what coming out meant to her, as well as how school and her relationship to her grandmother helped her become who she is today. In addition to this, there is talk about androgyny and explorations into why Nigerian snails are potentially better than Fre ..read more

Meet Kate Charlesworth, an award-winning illustrator, artist and graphic novelist who has recently brought out 'Sensible Footwear: A Girls Guide'. In this episode, she explores how her autobiography lent itself as a framework for the graphic novel and why re-telling lesbian and queer history is of more importance than ever. She reflects on her personal and professional life, non-monogamy, the institution of marriage, coming out, activism, and working in a male-dominated environment within the creative industry. There is also discussions about what is easier to draw: Kids, dogs or cats... Thin ..read more

Surprise - we've reached the Season One Festive Special of 'A Lesbian Affair'! So let's have a look at what makes Christmas good and how we can also talk about its associated challenges. What's love got to do with it and what about family traditions that are unique to each and every one of us? Jess explores these and other personal questions in a celebratory round-up of conversations with Diana Souhami, Mia, Fen & Kerry, Miriam, Sarah and Fae. Trigger warning - this episode features some serious 'grinching' but also more reflective and joyful moments. Thank you for listening and see you ..read more

For this year's 'Lezmas Special', we are joined by author, academic, and oral history expert Jane Traies, who tells us about her relationship to Christmas, Christmas routines but also Christmas taboos. She generously opens a window into her journey and work with lesbian refugee communities. There are reflections on the notions of shame and pride, citizenship, legal discrimination, what it takes to do oral history work, and the ethics of being a conduit for voices of the usually 'unheard'. She also talks about what her work has taught her about herself, as well as what it takes to prove to th ..read more

Meet Angie who for decades has been dedicated to the formation and nurture of lesbian community. She is an advocate for animal welfare, women, lesbians, and pacifism. In this episode, we explore stories and themes of Angie's life which include reflections on her personal relationship to her parents, her coming out, tales of squatting in Chelsea, her experiences during the AIDS epidemic, as well as what it means to find love. Watch out for anecdotes on anti-bourgeois balcony sleepovers... Things that are mentioned in this episode and might be of interest: The 'Battle of Brightlingsea'; Guardi ..read more

This episode is all about Miriam, a lesbian artist. Jess talks to her about her first experiences and crushes and what it meant to be attracted to women from an early age. She explores stories highlighting personal struggles in relation to internalised homophobia and shame, questions whether lesbians can objectify women as already often exemplified in heteropatriachial ways, and discusses issues around neurodiversity. There is also a discussion about the perception of intelligence in today's society, as well as why Queen Christina of Sweden would have been a great 'Sugar Momma'. Things of in ..read more

Victoria, a trainee psychosexual therapist, talks with Jess about labels, as well as the notions of 'sex addiction' and 'lesbian bed death' and whether they actually exist in reality. There is also a discussion on poly relationships, bisexuality, as well as common desire 'accelerators' and 'breaks'.  ..read more

What's it like to spend a night in a jail in the US and still see the humour in it? And what does it take to stay friends with your ex and maybe even work with each other professionally? Meet Alice Frick and Lauren Karl who, in this episode, share insights about their careers in comedy and entertainment, talk about their autobiographic and cultural backgrounds, and deliberate on what it means to navigate differences and language barriers within the industry and community.    Both also share their thoughts on the art of comedy and improv, what it takes to  do magic on stage, and ..read more

Jess talks to Lara and JJ. about their relationship to LGBTQ+ labels, investigates how they met, what their personal experiences in the community are and how these shaped their identity. Additionally, this episodes features musings on the nature and/or nurture debate, the subject of discrimination, as well as deeper thoughts on the lesbian appeal of Dusty Springfield. Links to talks and things that are mentioned in this episode: Vera Birkenbihl - Die Vielfalt der Geschlechtsentwicklung (German Lecture): https://youtu.be/8eEjnqsxlnI How Many Seconds to a First Impression? (APS): https://www.p ..read more

What does it take to be a radical bookseller? Well... meet Fen & Kerry, two women who have earned a reputation as just that. Both work for 'Letterbox Library' in London and also happen to be a lesbian couple. In this episode, we explore historical shifts within the community, and also how the terms 'queer' and 'lesbian' have changed in what they signify depending on generations. Fen and Kerry reflect on their relationship, how it all started, coming out, and why certain friendships can at times be testing. There are also reflections and stories about lesbian experiences at the doctor's o ..read more