Why Did She Have To Tell The World?

This documentary shares the untold story of Phyllis Papps and Francesca Curtis, the first lesbian couple to come out on national Australian television almost fifty years ago. Putting everything on the line, Phyllis and Francesca appeared on This Day Tonight’s interview about lesbianism and unpredictably became the face of change, creating Australia’s first gay political rights group, now known as the Australasian Lesbian Movement (ALM). ALM was also the first group in Australian history to offer support, help and agency to women stuck in the closet. Now in the last years of their lives, Phyllis and Francesca shine light on their activism, their relationship and the barriers that still stop them from being seen as who they are today.

This documentary shares the untold story of Phyllis Papps and Francesca Curtis, the first lesbian couple to come out on national Australian television almost fifty years ago. Putting everything on the line, Phyllis and Francesca appeared on This Day Tonight’s interview about lesbianism and unpredictably became the face of change, creating Australia’s first gay political rights group, now known as the Australasian Lesbian Movement (ALM). ALM was also the first group in Australian history to offer support, help and agency to women stuck in the closet. Now in the last years of their lives, Phyllis and Francesca shine light on their activism, their relationship and the barriers that still stop them from being seen as who they are today.

This story is important, not only to share the story of Phyllis and Francesca, but to challenge how far we as a society have actually come. In 2020 LGBTQI young people are five times more likely to attempt suicide compare to the general public, LGBTQ Australians are twice as likely to have higher levels of psychological distress compared to their heterosexual peers.

This film will be screened on ABC TV in February 2021 and  will be used as an important resource for the LGBTQI community through a targeted impact campaign. The film is executive produced by Australian producer Sue Maslin and has ongoing support from various LGBTQI organisations and individuals up to this point, including the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives, Melbourne Arts, Film Art Media and The Post Lounge.

We are so close to getting this film finished but we need some help. We are looking for financial support from additional  individuals/organisations for fully tax deductible donations through the Documentary Australia Foundation.

You can find our campaign here:  https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/why-did-she-have-to-tell-the-world/