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Carol Uszkurat - What's it Like to be a Dyke? / Positive Song

from Coming Out - Ready or Not [an LGBTQ+ Charity release] by Homo Promos

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about

In her introduction to ‘What’s It Like to Be A Dyke?’, Carol emphasises her previously married status. This was becoming more of an issue in the early 1980s as more lesbians were fighting for custody of their children, and research was beginning to show that two parents of the same sex might do a better job of rearing children than a mixed-sex couple. Suddenly we ‐ the LGBT Press, groups like the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, other mixed‐gender groups ‐ were aware of this invisible hinterland of concealed lesbians trapped in marriages for fear of losing custody of their kids.
Carol was a slightly older lesbian, ex-teacher and ex-married, singer and guitarist. At the time there was a feminist organisation of plumbers, carpenters etc, called 'Women in Manual Trades'. From this Carol fashioned a macho Spanish stallion, Manuel Trad-ees 'a devil with the ladies'. In her 60s, after a varied career in the Voluntary Sector, Carol is still writing and performing, as well as being a visual artist.

lyrics

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE A DYKE?

I've known you for years, and I'd never have guessed
But don't get me wrong, I am not distressed
I was not a teenager in the 60s without realising that we've all got to be free
and if you're gay - that's OK by me
Although I'm heterosexual, I'll always be your friend
You know I really mean that, I do not pretend
And now you know I'll always be true
Do you think you could tell me exactly what you do:

What's it like to be a dyke? What's it like?
Have you told your Mum and Dad, or would it make 'em too sad?
What's it like etc.
Have you told them at work or is that something you shirk?
What's it like etc.
Do you wear men's clothes? Do you go to strip shows?
What's it like etc.
Are you butch or fem? Do you really hate men?
What's it like etc.
Have you got a plastic cock? Do you play with it a lot?
What's it like etc.

POSITIVE SONG

I am moon, you are sea,
I draw you in, draw you in to me
You are moon, I am sea,
I am drawn into thee.

Taken and taking, we move as one,
Rising and setting just like the sun
Finding the courage, the courage to face
All the meanings of our embrace.

I am moon, you are sea etc.

When we look into each other's eyes
We find feelings of, 'What a surprise!'
Woman beautiful, woman fine,
I like having moments in which you are mine.

I am moon, you are sea etc.

Loving you, love moves me deep
Loving you, love sweetens sleep
Taken and taking we move as one
Rising and setting just like the sun

I am moon, you are sea etc.

credits

from Coming Out - Ready or Not [an LGBTQ+ Charity release], released January 1, 1983
Words and music - Carol Uszkurat
Vocals and guitar - Carol Uszkurat

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all rights reserved

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Homo Promos London, UK

The excitement generated by the audience at the largest gay benefit concert ever staged in this country is very apparent on this album. On December 8th 1982 the Albany Empire was filled to capacity with gay women and men eager to support this Lesbian Line / Gay Switchboard benefit, Though most of the performers will be new to you, at that time they represented over 50 years of LGBT music making. ... more

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