Hello My Name Is Lesbian

Travel from the secrecy of the straight-laced 1950s to the gender-bending queer community; from a nuclear family with two mums to the summer camps waging war on make-up and men; and finally to Ena, a Muslim and pro MC of 'Fagget Fairy', doing battle with prejudice. "The atmosphere was one of persecution; we had to be on our guard," one lady recalls of the 1950s. Meeting illicitly in clubs, it was an era when it was still believed that these rogue women could be 'cured' of their lesbianism. "It was terrible: society's idea of right and wrong, pounded into the human mind." Behind closed doors, ladies could flirt, dance and date with a cross-section of like-minded women. Yet it was far from an idyllic haven, often fraught with heartache. "Our world is a small one, and like I always say, we recycle." Jump to the present day, and it is a similar story for Ena, who comes from a Muslim family and is expected to "have a child by a Muslim man; preferably before I'm 21". Living "one life for myself, one for my family", Ena's world is a constant juggling act. Yet unlike her 1950s counterparts, Ena's sexual life is very public, hosting gay club nights as a DJ and releasing pro-lesbian tracks under the guise of the 'Fagget Fairy'. Her events pulsate with outspoken wit and fierce promotion of her sexuality. Leise and Stine have had 3 kids through a donor. Sperm donation is the only involvement men have had in their life and that's the way they like it. "We told them they came on a spaceship. With little green men", Leise laughs. Sharp, sassy and frank, they see their situation only as positive. "Our children are probably more nuanced in their approach to gender". In this smart, introspective doc women from 19 to 84 talk about sex, loneliness, love, gender, family and parenthood. With no two stories the same, they're united in the belief that "dykes don't need to live up to anyone's expectations."