On the 3rd Gay Day of Christmas ...

… my blogger gave to me …

THREE FRENCH LADIES

There’s no clear reason why the hens given on the 3^rd day of Christmas should be French. But, as the national bird of France is the cockerel, I can find no other reason than to present you with three French women.

1) COLETTE (1873-1954)

One of France’s most popular authors who had affairs with men and women, and who fictionalised her experiences in several books. Her husband encouraged her lesbianism for his own enjoyment, and Colette left him at the start of her lesbian affair with a French aristocrat. Her most famous novella “Gigi” was turned into an Oscar-winning musical film.

2) MARIA SCHNEIDER (1952-2011)

Actor whose most famous (and notorious) role was opposite Marlon Brando in “Last Tango in Paris” in 1972, an experience which led her to work for improvements in the treatment of female actors in the film industry. Maria continued to appear in films until 2008, and in 2010 became a Chevalier of the Ordre des Artes and des Lettres for services to the Arts (the French equivalent of Dame).

3) AMÉLIE MAURESMO (b.1979)

In 2004 Amélie became the first French tennis player to reach No. 1 ranking in the world without winning a Grand Slam title. She earned a reputation for losing finals matches due to nerves, but she proved to the world she was a great champion by winning the World Championships in 2005, and the Wimbledon and Australian Open titles in 2006. As a junior player she was also a Wimbledon and French Open champion in 1996. Amélie won a silver medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004.