A Lesbian Affair Jess W.

How do pitch forks, a bunch of woman during apple harvest, and a LP vinyl cover make history? And what's it like to travel the world in the name of music and feminism?

Meet Liza Cowan, an artist, former radio host, producer, magazine editor, and lesbian activist from New York City who lives to tell the tale. She happens to be the confidant and former partner of the late singer Alix Dobkin, who is also featured heavily in this episode. Listen in if you'd like to hear more about Liza's life, her roots in the lesbian feminist scene of the 1970s; what it was like to interview Yoko Ono for her radio show, and how it felt to fall in love 'on air'.

 Things mentioned in this Episode:
Liza's Yoko Ono Interview; Alix Dobkin Obituary (Guardian); Gay Head Cliffs;  Labyris Books NYC; Natalie Barney; Liza's Website

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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 the Home Office that you're an 'Expert' in all things to do with Older Lesbians.


Things mentioned in this Episode:
'Free To Be Me' ; Lesbian Immigration Support Group; 'Liberty' by Jay Taverner; 'Now You See Me';  Jackie Forster; Charlotte Charke; Ann Lister

Send Jess a tip via her virtual TipJar to support the podcast :
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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 how to safely 'play with fire'.

Things mentioned in this episode:
Alice's Solo Show 'A Frickin' Crazy Year' (voucher code: ALesbianAffair - 50% off); 'Body Ritual among the Nacirema' by Horace Miner; Lauren's Youtube Channel - 'Just Veganin';  What The Frick?;  Marina Abramović; Alice's Youtube Channel

Send Jess a tip via her virtual TipJar to support the podcast :
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What's it like to identify as a 'dyke' and live and work in Bamako, Mali?  How do women's co-operatives work and how does resource scarcity impact local economies and peace?

Meet Osazeme who, in this episode, helps shed some light on these questions. She spends most of her time developing agricultural businesses with local women and is also a jewellery designer on the side.

There are discussions about her relationship to labels, religion,  the aftermath of break-ups and toxic relationships, as well as the concept of 'sham marriages' and what it was like to take a 'purity pledge'.

Things mentioned in this Episode:
Bamako, Mali;  Tracy Chapman;  Audre Lorde 'Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches'

Feel free to send Jess a tip to support the podcast:
https://tpjr.us/alesbianaffairpodcast

Once upon a time, homosexuality was treated as a criminal offence within the UK military. Elaine Chambers unfortunately lives to tell the tale as she faced serious allegations that were hinged on her 'lesbian tendencies' and led to the abrupt ending of her career.

In this episode, Jess and her talk about the horrifying and heartbreaking treatment she endured and also discuss what led to her becoming a 'reluctant activist'. Elaine reflects on her early lesbian crushes, how she came to enlist with the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, and what it meant to find purpose and community in the aftermath of having been treated as a 'suspect' by the military police.

Things mentioned in this episode:
This Queer Angel (Elaine's book);  Myra Fances; The LLGC; Robert Ely; Don't Dream It, Be It (Song from the Rocky Horror Picture Show)

Feel free to send Jess a tip to support the podcast:
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What's it like to come out later in life to your family and children? And what does it take to gently challenge the status quo on an island where Lesbians might, conventionally speaking, not feel as visible?

In this episode, we meet Caroline who has made the Isle of Wight (UK) her home and thus can offer us some insights. She talks about what it was like to start a Lesbian / LGBT+ community within the smaller geographical confines of her surroundings, how she now relates to her own youth, and she also shares with us her knowledge in relation to fundraising for oral history / art projects.

Things mentioned in this episode:
Out On an Island Project & Exhibition, Joe Carstairs

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