Mama G, a popular pantomime dame and children's performer, has launched a search for two lesbian grandmothers she met at Blackpool Pride in 2021. The women inspired her upcoming children's book, The Proudest Bird in the World, after complaining about the lack of diversity in young literature.
Chance Encounter at Blackpool Pride
During a reading at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, the women asked Mama G if there were any books featuring lesbian grandmothers. Stumped, she admitted she had never seen such characters, not even as subsidiary ones. One woman expressed disappointment, saying, "It's so hard to find yourself represented in books."
This conversation prompted Mama G, whose real name is Robert Pearce, to write a picture book where two older queer women are "front and centre for a change." The book, set for release on July 1, is dedicated to the pair, but she has yet to track them down.
Search for the Mystery Grandmothers
Despite weeks of appeals on social media, radio, and newspapers, their identities remain unknown. "I don't have their names, I don't even know if they were from Blackpool – they could have been visiting," Mama G said, comparing the search to a missing person hunt. The women are described as about 5ft 6in with short hair, one with "salt and pepper loose curls," possibly wearing jeans and stripy tops.
Mama G, who has championed diversity in family storytelling for nearly two decades, called the conversation a "wake-up call." She noted that lesbian visibility is significantly lower than gay male visibility in media, and older LGBT people are even less visible.
Diversity in Children's Books
A 2022 US study found that while LGBTQ+ related children's books have increased since 2000, characters are rarely central protagonists, and some groups, like bisexual people, are "completely absent."
The Proudest Bird in the World tells the story of Gilbert, a white bird who longs to express their true self and discovers a Pride parade, learning that true colors don't have to be external. The main characters are two lesbian grandparents who educate Gilbert and their granddaughter about the rainbow flag's meanings.
Mama G, performing at Edinburgh Fringe this summer, said larger publishers shy away from diverse books due to profit margins and pushback. Her first book, Oh Yes I Am!, was rejected by publishers who were "not comfortable" with its potential LGBT themes. Both books were picked up by smaller independent companies.
"I think to get diverse books published you've got to look at smaller publishing houses because they're in a better position to take a risk," she said. "I'm excited to see what happens with this book – and I hope that if we do find the lesbian grandmothers, they will be proud to be a part of it."
