Lesbian renaissance 💞, tree-hugging first dates 🌳 and why the queer community needs more grace 🌈 with Char Bailey

On this special live episode Rosie is joined by coach, activist, and Birmingham Pride Director Char Bailey to talk about the queer community, dating while healing, and what it means to truly belong to yourself 🌈

They dive into Char’s experience of dating women in the 90s and 00s as a Black lesbian, navigating racism within queer spaces, internalising harmful beauty standards, and struggling to figure out where she fit in. Char opens up about how those experiences shaped the people she dated, and why her idea of a “type” has completely changed over the years 💌

The two also unpack the current state of the queer community, from the rise of the “lesbian renaissance” to the infighting and rigid labels that can leave people feeling isolated rather than supported. Char shares why she believes queer spaces need more grace, acceptance, and room for people to evolve without judgement ✨

Of course, Rosie and Char get into dating and flirting, including the awkwardness of queer eye contact, struggling to read signals, and why energetic chemistry between women can feel so intense. Char also tells the story of her first date with her partner Megan, to which somehow hugging a tree together became the greenest flag imaginable 🌳

They discuss identity, representation, and visibility online, with Char reflecting on what it means to move through the world as a Black autistic lesbian and why it’s so important for queer people who don’t fit the “palatable” mould to still feel seen and celebrated.

And finally, they reflect on what really makes someone Girlfriend Material - choosing yourself first, growing into who you truly are, and finding people who love you through every version of that journey 💞