Handbag (2021)

Monica Davidson is a 3rd generation fag hag, a straight female friend to the gay man. At last count, around fifty of Monica's lifetime friends are gay men. Why? Is it genetic? Monica's grandmother Dorothy is friends with openly gay Keithy in the 1950s in a time when homosexuality was a crime. When Monica's mother Pat is a younger woman in the 1970s, she befriends Bobby and her weekends are spent at the local gay bar. Now, Monica's teenage daughters march in the Gay Mardi Gras parade and argue for marriage equality with their school friends. In Handbag, Monica tells the very personal story of her own family and friends, and the iconic relationship between gay men and straight women. As a testimony to her quest, she also creates the ultimate moving tribute to the relationship - a float for the famous Sydney Gay Mardi Gras parade. Through Handbag, Monica will explore gay history, the role of women in a world of men, and friendship through thick, thin and sequins.