A Lesbian Affair Jess W.

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:
https://tpjr.us/alesbianaffairpodcast

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

Send Jess a tip to support the podcast and keep it going (and free of adverts):
Go to the 'A Lesbian Affair' Tip Jar

Something curious happens whenever Elaine is told that she can't do something... In fact, chances are that every 'no' she received in her life has possibly resulted in something special.

When it comes to the community here in London - this special thing is called the 'Glass Bar', a small paradise tucked away in a lodge outside a big train station. Elaine built this women's space up herself and in this episode she talks about what it took to get it going.

Jess and her explore her value system, the concept of 'butchness', her childhood, and experiences of bullying and discrimination. There is also a surprise guest who used to be a former patron of the bar.

Listen to this episode if you have a special interest in stories from the Glass Bar's 'lost and found' section.

Things mentioned in this episode:
'A History of the Glass Bar'; 'Gay's The Word Bookshop'; Elaine's other Podcast Ventures

Send Jess a tip to support the podcast and keep it going (and free of adverts):
Go to the 'A Lesbian Affair' Tip Jar

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 French ones.

Things mentioned in this episode:
Lagos,  A Recipe Sample, She Bar London (Facebook Page)

Introducing a long-form, conversational lesbian podcast. The 'A Lesbian Affair' Pod might just be the answer to your google searches.